Drug name
Benemid (Probenecid)
Drug Uses
Benemid is used in the treatment of gouty arthritis and chronic gout, and other diseases which are caused by high content of uric acid in the blood.
How Taken
Benemid is used according to prescriptions of the doctor. The drug is taken by mouth with a drink of water at regular basis.
Drug Class and Mechanism
The action of Benemid is based on moving the extra uric acid off organism. Please note that Benemid does not cure gout but helps prevent the gout attacks if taken on regular basis for several months. If the patient stops taking the drug, the attacks will appear again.
Sometimes Benemid is used together with definite antibiotics to increase their effectiveness in the treatment of bacterial infections.
Missed Dose
In case of missing a dose of Benemid for some reason, it's necessary to take it so fast as possible. If it happens almost in time for the next dose, it is reasonable to miss taking the dose this time and to return to the usual dosing schedule. Taking 2 doses at once is prohibited.
Storage
Benemid must be stored at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius or 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit) and kept away from heat, light, moisture and their sources. Children and pets must not have an access to Benemid.
Warnings Precautions
Benemid can not be used if:
- the patient have an allergy to any ingredient of the drug;
- the patient has blood or kidney diseases caused by uric acid;
- the patient takes salicylates (e.g., aspirin);
- the patient has not yet reached the age of 2 years.
If any of the written above is applied to you, please consult with the doctor.
IMPORTANT, please note that:
- Benemid may cause fits of giddiness. Therefore it is not recommended to drive or to do anything potentially dangerous until the reaction of the patient to Benemid becomes clear.
- Taking another medical treatment, including dental, the patient must tell the doctor that he uses Benemid.
- Benemid may influence the level of sugar in the blood, so the patients which suffer from diabetes must consult with the doctor concerning the regulation of the diabetes drug dose.
- Before making any clinical tests, let the medical personnel to know that you are taking Benemid, because the drug may influence the results of the tests (for example, blood or hemoglobin urine tests). Making the tests, strictly follow all recommendations of your doctor.
- As safety and effectiveness of using Benemid by children younger than 2 years of age was not tested, it’s not recommended to use the drug for this age group.
- Since Benemid is excreted in breast milk, it’s necessary to consult the doctor if the patient becomes pregnant while taking Benemid or is going to take the drug in the period of breast-feeding.
Possible Side Effects
The usual side effects of Benemid are fits of giddiness, hair loss, flushing, nausea, loss of appetite, bleeding gums. Please consult the doctor if any of these effects disturb you.
Severe side effects, which demand the instant medical assistant, include the following clinical presentations: severe allergic reactions (like hard breathing, swelling of the mouth, rash, etc); dark or bloody urine; strangury; stomach, genital, thigh or throat pains, permanent nausea or vomiting, extreme weariness, eyes or skin yellowing, worsening of gout symptoms, and other unusual effects.
More Information
Use Benemid only if it is prescribed for you. Do not advice to use it to other people and do not share it with other people even if their symptoms resemble to yours. If the drug does not help, the symptoms do not decrease or even are getting worse, consult the doctor.