FDA-approved label information
Reproduced from the FDA Structured Product Label via the openFDA API. Label version: November 18, 2025.
- Status
- Human Prescription Drug
- Brand names
- Probenecid
- Route
- Oral
Description
DESCRIPTION: Probenecid is a uricosuric and renal tubular transport blocking agent. The chemical name for probenecid is 4-[(dipropylamino) sulfony1] benzoic acid. It has the following structural formula: Probenecid, USP is a white or nearly white, fine, crystalline powder. Probenecid is soluble in dilute alkali, in alcohol, in chloroform, and in acetone; it is practically insoluble in water and in dilute acids. Each tablet for oral administration contains 500 mg of probenecid and the following inactive ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch, sodium starch glycolate, povidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, talc, D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Yellow #6 Aluminum Lake, and FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake. the following structural formula for probenecid is 4-[(dipropylamino) sulfony1] benzoic acid.
Indications and usage
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Probenecid tablets are indicated for the treatment of the hyperuricemia associated with gout and gouty arthritis. As an adjuvant to therapy with penicillin or with ampicillin, methicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, or nafcillin, for elevation and prolongation of plasma levels by whatever route the antibiotic is given.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to probenecid. Children under 2 years of age. Not recommended in persons with known blood dyscrasias or uric acid kidney stones. Therapy with probenecid should not be started until an acute gouty attack has subsided.
Warnings (older label format)
WARNINGS Exacerbation of gout following therapy with probenecid may occur; in such cases colchicine or other appropriate therapy is advisable. Probenecid increases plasma concentrations of methotrexate in both animals and humans. In animal studies, increased methotrexate toxicity has been reported. If probenecid is given with methotrexate, the dosage of methotrexate should be reduced and serum levels may need to be monitored. In patients on probenecid the use of salicylates in either small or large doses is contraindicated because it antagonizes the uricosuric action of probenecid. The biphasic action of salicylates in the renal tubules accounts for the so-called “paradoxical effect” of uricosuric agents. In patients on probenecid who require a mild analgesic agent the use of acetaminophen rather than small doses of salicylates would be preferred. Rarely, severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis have been reported with the use of probenecid. Most of these have been reported to occur within several hours after re-administration following prior usage of the drug. The appearance of hypersensitivity reactions requires cessation of therapy with probenecid. Use in Pregnancy: Probenecid crosses the placenta barrier and appears in cord blood. The use of any drug in women of childbearing potential requires that the anticipated benefit be weighed against the possible hazards.
Adverse reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS 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, and 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.
Drug interactions
Drug Interactions: When probenecid is used to elevate plasma concentrations of penicillin or other beta-lactams, or when such drugs are given to patients taking probenecid therapeutically, high plasma concentrations of the other drug may increase the incidence of adverse reactions associated with that drug. In the case of penicillin or other beta-lactams, psychic disturbances have been reported. The use of salicylates antagonizes the uricosuric action of probenecid (see WARNINGS ). The uricosuric action of probenecid is also antagonized by pyrazinamide. Probenecid produces an insignificant increase in free sulfonamide plasma concentrations, but a significant increase in total sulfonamide plasma levels. Since probenecid decreases the renal excretion of conjugated sulfonamides, plasma concentrations of the latter should be determined from time to time when sulfonamide and probenecid are coadministered for prolonged periods. Probenecid may prolong or enhance the action of oral sulfonylureas and thereby increase the risk of hypoglycemia. It has been reported that patients receiving probenecid require significantly less thiopental for induction of anesthesia. In addition, ketamine and thiopental anesthesia were significantly prolonged in rats receiving probenecid. The concomitant administration of probenecid increases the mean plasma elimination half-life of a number of drugs which can lead to increased plasma concentrations. These include agents such as indomethacin, acetaminophen, naproxen, ketoprofen, meclofenamate, lorazepam, and rifampin. Although the clinical significance of this observation has not been established, a lower dosage of the drug may be required to produce a therapeutic effect, and increases a dosage of the drug in question should be made cautiously and in small increments when probenecid is being coadministered. Although specific instances of toxicity due to this potential interaction have not been observed to date, physicians should be alert to this possibility. Probenecid given concomitantly with sulindac had only a slight effect on plasma sulfide levels, while plasma levels of sulindac and sulfone were increased. Sulindac was shown to produce a modest reduction in the uricosuric action of probenecid, which probably is not significant under most circumstances. In animals and in humans, probenecid has been reported to increase plasma concentrations of methotrexate (see WARNINGS ). Falsely high readings for theophylline have been reported in an in vitro study, using the Schack and Waxler technique, when therapeutic concentrations of theophylline and probenecid were added to human plasma.
Pregnancy
Use in Pregnancy: Probenecid crosses the placenta barrier and appears in cord blood. The use of any drug in women of childbearing potential requires that the anticipated benefit be weighed against the possible hazards.
Source: US Food and Drug Administration, via the openFDA API. The FDA does not review, endorse or verify third-party reproductions of this data, and label information may have been updated since it was retrieved.
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