Common use

Benemid is used to treat hyperuricemia (high uric acid) and reduce blood uric levels in the patients with gout and gouty arthritis. Benemid contains Probenecid and sometimes is given together with penicillin antibiotics to increase their effectiveness. Probenecid prevents reabsorption of uric acid and blocks excretion of the antibiotics by the kidney.



Dosage and direction

Drink plenty of water while you are on Benemid to avoid formation of kidney stones. To treat hyperuricemia take 500 mg of Benemid twice daily. The maximum recommended dose is 2 gm daily. In combination with penicillin antibiotics the usual dose of Benemid is 500 mg taken four times a day.



Precautions

Notify your doctor if you have any type of allergy to medications, kidney disease or kidney stones, stomach ulcerations in history. Benemid can be used together with a special diet, mineral supplements and medications as a part of a complex treatment program. Inform your doctor immediately if you noticed worsening of gout symptoms, have uric acid kidney stones, anemia, or decreased white blood cells, blood in your urine or dark urine, fever, jaundice, pale skin.



Contraindications

Benemid cannot be used in the patients with allergy to probenecid, uric acid kidney stones, just started acute gout attack, decreased white blood cells, anemia. Children under two years of age should not be treated by Benemid.



Side effects

Besides allergic reactions such as hives, rash, difficulty breathing, facial swelling this medication may lead to worsening gout symptoms, bloody urination or dark colored urine, severe pain in the side or lower back, swelling of stomach, ankles, or feet, pale skin, confusion, fever, or weakness.



Drug interaction

Benemid increases blood levels of NSAIDs such as naproxen (Aleve), ketorolac (Toradol), ibuprofen (Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), and methotrexate (Trexall, Rheumatrex). Inform your doctor if you take lorazepam (Ativan), oral diabetes medications, salicylates such as aspirin, a sulfa drug such as Bactrim and the others.



Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.



Overdose

Symptoms of overdose include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting. Notify your doctor immediately if you suspect overdose.



Storage

Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F). Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. It is not recommended to store in a bathroom and places available for children.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.