What is this medication for?

Probenecid is used to treat high uric acid levels associated with gout or gouty arthritis by increasing uric acid clearance through the kidneys.

How should I take/use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.

• This medicine should be taken after food

• Drink adequate liquid (if you are not fluid restricted) while taking this medication in order to prevent formation of kidney stones. If you are fluid restricted, consult your doctor for further instructions

• May experience temporary increase in gout attacks when starting this medication. However with regular use, the frequency of gout attacks will gradually reduce and become less painful

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication

• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

• Medical conditions such as blood disorder, uric acid kidney stone, kidney disease, G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) deficiency or peptic ulcer

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

• Stomach upset (nausea, vomiting)

  • Take with food to reduce the occurrence of this side effect

• Headache

• Sore gums

• Flushing (reddening of skin)

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue

• Difficulty in breathing

• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

For patients taking methotrexate, probenecid may increase the effects of methotrexate in the body. Do inform your healthcare provider for further instructions if you are taking methotrexate.

Reducing purine rich food such as red meat (eg beef), alcohol, organ meat (eg liver,kidney), shellfish, anchovies, sardine. The list is not exhaustive, do seek further advice from your healthcare provider

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin

Disclaimers

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Jul 2022