Probenecid is a prescription drug most commonly used to ease symptoms of chronic gout and to make acute attacks less likely to occur. It may also be used in combination with certain antibiotics such as penicillin to make them more effective. Probenecid helps the body eliminate more uric acid through the urine so it does not build up in the kidneys and bloodstream and lead to gout attacks. As an antibiotic enhancer, it helps the drugs stay in a person's system longer instead of being excreted in the urine. The medication is highly effective in most cases and only rarely causes significant side effects.
People who suffer from gout attacks either produce too much uric acid or have trouble passing enough of the substance as waste. Probenecid helps the kidneys better process high levels of uric acid and prevents the organs from allowing acid to be absorbed back into the bloodstream. The fact that the drug blocks re-absorption sites in the kidneys also makes it an effective antibiotic enhancer. Antibiotics essentially become trapped in blood circulation and cannot be processed by the kidneys.
Probenecid is most commonly taken by mouth in the form of an oral tablet or capsule. Adult patients with gout are usually instructed to take one tablet a day for the first week of treatment, and one every 12 hours thereafter. Dosage amounts and frequencies may be different for patients taking antibiotics, and a doctor can determine the appropriate quantity to prescribe based on several different factors. Depending on a person's response to the drug, he or she may only need to take it for a few weeks or remain on a treatment schedule indefinitely. Doctors generally advise their patients to consume at least six glasses of water a day when taking probenecid to aid in thoroughly flushing the kidneys.
Most people who take probenecid do not experience negative side effects. Increased urination is likely to occur when consuming large amounts of water daily. Other potential side effects may include mild headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset. Some patients also experience weight loss due to loss of appetite.
Probenecid is not designed to treat acute gout episodes. Rather, it is a preventive drug that reduces the chances of such attacks occurring. If a person does experience a painful gout episode during treatment with probenecid, he or she should speak to a doctor about taking a different short-course medication to ease temporary symptoms.