Probenecid Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Probenecid may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Probenecid - for the Consumer

Probenecid

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Probenecid:

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.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Probenecid Side Effects - for the Professional

Probenecid

The following adverse reactions have been observed and within each category are listed in order of decreasing severity.

Central Nervous System: headache, dizziness.

Metabolic: precipitation of acute gouty arthritis.

Gastrointestinal: hepatic necrosis, vomiting, nausea, anorexia, sore gums.

Genitourinary: nephrotic syndrome, uric acid stones with or without hematuria, renal colic, costovertebral pain, urinary frequency.

Hypersensitivity: anaphylaxis, fever, urticaria, pruritus.

Hematologic: aplastic anemia, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia which in some patients could be related to genetic deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in red blood cells, anemia.

Integumentary: dermatitis, alopecia, flushing.

Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

General

In therapeutic doses, probenecid is generally well tolerated and has a low incidence of side effects.

An increase in acute attacks of gout may occur on initiation of probenecid therapy. The concomitant administration of colchicine or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, where appropriate, may decrease the risk of this complication.

Renal

Adequate hydration, to result in urine output of 2 liters per day, if possible, and alkalinization of the urine may reduce the risk of stone formation.

Renal side effects have included renal colic, nephrotic syndrome, with or without renal failure, and urinary frequency. In addition, increased concentrations of uric acid in the renal tubules, due to probenecid therapy, may promote development of uric acid stones.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions may be severe. It has been reported that the risk of severe allergic reactions may be increased in patients previously treated with probenecid. In these cases, onset of hypersensitivity reactions is within several hours after reintroduction of probenecid therapy.

Hypersensitivity side effects have included rash, pruritus, fever, urticaria, and anaphylaxis.

Hematologic

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency may increase the risk of probenecid-induced hemolytic anemia in some patients. However, probenecid has also been implicated in at least two cases of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. In both cases, serum antibodies reacted with red blood cells only in the presence of probenecid. In one patient, a generalized rash, fever, malaise, and anorexia were also present.

Hematologic side effects have rarely included hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, and anemia.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included hepatic necrosis.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included anorexia, nausea, sore gums, and vomiting.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache and dizziness.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including dermatitis, alopecia, and flushing have been reported.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including costovertebral pain have been reported.

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