Probenecid Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 23, 2024.
Applies to probenecid: oral tablet.
Precautions
If you will be taking probenecid for more than a few weeks, your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the person in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by probenecid.
For diabetic patients:
- Probenecid may cause false test results with copper sulfate urine sugar tests (Clinitest®), but not with glucose enzymatic urine sugar tests (Clinistix®). If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
For patients taking probenecid for gout or to help remove uric acid from the body:
- Taking aspirin or other salicylates may lessen the effects of probenecid. This will depend on the dose of aspirin or other salicylate that you take, and on how often you take it. Also, drinking too much alcohol may increase the amount of uric acid in the blood and lessen the effects of this medicine. Therefore, do not take aspirin or other salicylates or drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine, unless you have first checked with your doctor.
Common side effects of probenecid
Some side effects of probenecid may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common side effects
- headache
- joint pain, redness, or swelling
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting (mild)
Less common side effects
- dizziness
- flushing or redness of face (occurring without any signs of an allergic reaction)
- frequent urge to urinate
- sore gums
Serious side effects of probenecid
Along with its needed effects, probenecid may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking probenecid:
Rare side effects
- fast or irregular breathing
- puffiness or swellings of the eyelids or around the eyes
- shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing
- changes in the skin color of the face occurring together with any of the other side effects listed here
- or skin rash, hives, or itching occurring together with any of the other side effects listed here
- cloudy urine
- cough or hoarseness
- fast or irregular breathing
- fever
- pain in back and/or ribs
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
- sore throat and fever with or without chills
- sudden decrease in the amount of urine
- swelling of face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs
- swollen and/or painful glands
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- yellow eyes or skin
- weight gain
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking probenecid:
Less common side effects
- bloody urine
- difficult or painful urination
- lower back or side pain (especially if severe or sharp)
- skin rash, hives, or itching (occurring without other signs of an allergic reaction)
For healthcare professionals
Applies to probenecid: oral tablet.
General adverse events
In therapeutic doses, probenecid is generally well tolerated and has a low incidence of side effects.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria, pruritus[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not provided: Precipitation of acute gouty arthritis[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Frequency not reported: Uric acid stones with or without hematuria, costovertebral pain, urinary frequency[Ref]
Renal
- Frequency not reported: Nephrotic syndrome, with or without renal failure[Ref]
Hematologic
- Frequency not reported: Anemia, hemolytic anemia (which could be related to genetic deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) in red blood cells)[Ref]
Rarely (less than 0.1%): Aplastic anemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia
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.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Frequency not reported: Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, sore gums[Ref]
Hepatic
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatic necrosis[Ref]
Nervous system
- Frequency not reported: Headache, dizziness[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Toxic epidermal necrolysis (in combination with colchicine)
- Frequency not reported: Dermatitis, alopecia, flushing[Ref]
See also:
Allopurinol
Allopurinol is used to treat gout or kidney stones, and to decrease levels of uric acid in certain ...
Decadron
Decadron is used for addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency, adrenocortical insufficiency ...
Ozempic
Learn about Ozempic (semaglutide) for type 2 diabetes treatment, weight management, cardiovascular ...
Deltasone
Deltasone is used for acute lymphocytic leukemia, adrenocortical insufficiency, allergic reactions ...
Zyloprim
Zyloprim is used for calcium oxalate calculi with hyperuricosuria, gout, hyperuricemia secondary to ...
Kenalog-40
Kenalog-40 is a long-acting corticosteroid injection for intramuscular (into the muscle) or ...
Uloric
Uloric (febuxostat) reduces the production of uric acid in your body and is used to treat gout ...
Rayos
Rayos (prednisone, delayed-release) is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica ...
Krystexxa
Krystexxa (pegloticase) is an enzyme that metabolizes uric acid and is used to treat chronic gout ...
References
1. Gutman AB (1966) "Uricosuric drugs with special reference to probenecid and sulfinpyrazone." Adv Pharmacol, 4, p. 91-142
2. Kickler TS, Buck S, Ness P, et al. (1986) "Probenecid induced immune hemolytic anemia." J Rheumatol, 13, p. 208-9
3. Myers KW, Katial RK, Engler RJM (1998) "Probenecid hypersensitivity in AIDS: a case report." Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 80, p. 416-8
4. (2004) "Product Information. Probenecid (probenecid)." Marlex Pharmaceuticals
5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
6. Scott JT, O'Brien PK (1968) "Probenecid, nephrotic syndrome, and renal failure." Ann Rheum Dis, 27, p. 249-52
7. Hertz P, Yager H, Richardson JA (1972) "Probenecid-induced nephrotic syndrome." Arch Pathol, 94, p. 241-3
8. Sosler SD, Behzad O, Garratty G, et al. (1985) "Immune hemolytic anemia associated with probenecid." Am J Clin Pathol, 84, p. 391-4
More about probenecid
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (7)
- Drug images
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: antigout agents
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
Other brands
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
Further information
Probenecid side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.
