Benemid (Probenecid)

Benemid is used in the treatment of chronic gout or gouty arthritis. These conditions are caused by too much uric acid in the blood.

Benemid works by removing the extra uric acid from the body. Benemid does not cure gout, but after you have been taking it for a few months it will help prevent gout attacks. Benemid will help prevent gout attacks only as long as you continue to take it.

Benemid is also used to prevent or treat other medical problems that may occur if too much uric acid is present in the body.

Benemid is sometimes used with certain kinds of antibiotics to make them more effective in the treatment of infections.

Do not use Benemid if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Benemid;
• you have blood problems or kidney stones caused by uric acid;
• the patient is a child younger than 2 years of age;
• you are taking salicylates (e.g., aspirin).

• Benemid may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Benemid. Using Benemid alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Benemid.
• Diabetes patients - Benemid may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Benemid may interfere with some lab tests (e.g., blood or hemoglobin urine tests, theophylline levels). Make sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Benemid.
• Lab tests, including tests for sugar in the urine, may be required to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use of Benemid is not recommended in children younger than 2 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant while taking Benemid, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Benemid during pregnancy. Benemid is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Benemid, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• dizziness; flushing; hair loss; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; sore gums; vomiting.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the urine; chills; dark urine; decreased or increased urination; fever; lower back, lower stomach, genital, or inner thigh pain; persistent sore throat; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; worsening gout; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Benemid is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.