Probenecid is a medicine indicated for the treatment of gout or chronic gouty arthritis, as it has a uricosuric action, which increases the elimination of uric acid in the urine, helping to prevent gout attacks.
Furthermore, probenecid can also be used in combination with antibiotics, especially those of the penicillin class, to increase the antibiotic’s time in the body, making it more effective in combating infections.
Probenecid should only be used under medical advice, as it can cause serious side effects such as worsening gout symptoms, kidney stone formation, stomach pain or blood in the urine, for example.
What is it for
Probenecid is indicated for:
- Treatment of gout, gouty tophi or chronic gouty arthritis;
- Prevention of acute gout attacks;
- Treatment of recurrent severe gout in people who experience serious side effects with the use of allopurinol.
Furthermore, it is indicated to increase the time of some antibiotics in the body, mainly from the penicillin class, such as ampicillin, oxacillin or methicillin, for example.
Is probenecid anti-inflammatory?
Probenecid is not an anti-inflammatory or analgesic, and does not act to reduce inflammation or pain caused by uric acid deposits in the joints.
This remedy works by increasing the elimination of uric acid from the blood through urine, as it inhibits the reabsorption of uric acid by the kidneys, facilitating its elimination, and helping to normalize uric acid levels in the blood, which helps prevent acute attacks of gout. . Check out other remedies for uric acid.
How to drink
The probenecid tablet must be taken orally, along with a meal, milk or antacid prescribed by the doctor, in order to avoid pain or discomfort in the stomach.
The dosage of probenecid normally indicated for adults varies according to the objective of the treatment and includes:
1. Drop
The normally recommended initial dose is 1 tablet of 250 mg, twice a day, for 1 week of treatment. The maintenance dose is generally 500 mg, twice a day, for the duration of treatment established by the doctor.
The dose of probenecid can be increased by the doctor in increments of 500 mg, until the levels of uric acid in the blood are normalized. The maximum dose should not exceed 2 g of probenecid per day, which corresponds to 4 500 mg tablets.
During treatment with probenecid, due to the initial side effect of worsening gout symptoms, the doctor may recommend the use of colchicine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, except acetylsalicylic acid, to prevent gout attacks.
Furthermore, during treatment with probenecid, you should drink plenty of water to prevent the formation of kidney stones made up of uric acid.
2. Associated with antibiotics
Doses of probenecid, to increase the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment, vary according to age and type of infection and include:
- Adults: The recommended dose for the treatment of gonorrhea with ampicillin or cefuroxime is 2 tablets of 500 mg, once a day. For the treatment of neurosyphilis with procaine penicillin, the recommended dose is 1 tablet of 500 mg, 4 times a day, for 10 to 14 days;
- Children aged 2 to 14: The doses must be calculated by the pediatrician according to the child’s weight, with an initial dose of 25 mg per kg of body weight, per day in a single dose, being normally indicated to increase the effect of penicillin. The maintenance dose is usually 10 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into 4 equal doses.
Treatment with probenecid should always be guided by a doctor, according to the age, type of infection and type of antibiotic used.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects of probenecid are headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gum pain, sudden feeling of heat and redness in the face, tingling sensation in the skin, hair loss, enlargement urinary frequency, itching or blistering of the skin.
Furthermore, probenecid may worsen gout symptoms, and you should report this to your doctor immediately if this side effect occurs.
Probenecid can also increase the risk of kidney stones formed by uric acid, so you should tell your doctor if you have symptoms such as pain or difficulty urinating, pain in the side of your back, blood in your urine or urine. cloudy. Know how to identify the symptoms of kidney stones.
Although less common, probenecid can cause serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. Therefore, you should stop treatment and seek the nearest emergency room if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a feeling of a closed throat, swelling in the mouth, tongue or face, or hives.
Who shouldn’t use
Probenecid should not be used by children under 2 years of age, or by people who already have symptoms of an acute attack of gout, or who have kidney stones, an allergy to probenecid or changes in their blood cells.
Furthermore, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, probenecid should be used with caution and only with medical advice, after evaluating the benefits of treatment for the woman and potential risks for the baby, as it can reach the baby through the placenta or breast milk.
Probenecid should also be used with caution in people with decreased kidney function, peptic ulcer disease, or porphyria.
