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Probenecid

ATC code M04AB01

Also known as: Probenesid

Key facts
Active substance
Probenecid
Drug class
Uricosuric agents
ATC code
M04AB01
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-29

Key facts

Probenecid is a uricosuric agent that also reduces renal excretion of penicillins. Per the US prescribing information, it is used for hyperuricemia in gout and as an adjuvant to raise and prolong penicillin plasma levels.

What it is used for

  • Hyperuricemia associated with gout and gouty arthritis
  • Adjuvant to penicillin, ampicillin, methicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin or nafcillin to raise and prolong plasma levels

Dosing

  • Gout: do not start until an acute attack has subsided; 250 mg twice a day for one week, then 500 mg twice a day
  • If needed, increase by 500 mg every 4 weeks (usually not above 2000 mg per day); may not be effective when GFR is 30 mL/minute or less
  • Liberal fluid intake and urine alkalinization (e.g. sodium bicarbonate 3 to 7.5 g daily) are recommended
  • With penicillin, adults: 2000 mg daily in divided doses (lower in older patients with renal impairment); children 2-14 years: initially 25 mg/kg, then 40 mg/kg per day divided into 4 doses

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to probenecid
  • Children under 2 years of age
  • Not recommended with blood dyscrasias or uric acid kidney stones; not to be started during an acute gout attack

Important warnings

  • Gout may flare after starting; colchicine or other therapy is advisable
  • Increases methotrexate levels and toxicity – reduce methotrexate dose and monitor
  • Salicylates are contraindicated, as they antagonize the uricosuric action; acetaminophen is preferred for mild pain
  • Rare severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, mostly within hours of re-use; stop if hypersensitivity occurs

Side effects

  • Headache, dizziness
  • Vomiting, nausea, anorexia, sore gums; precipitation of acute gouty arthritis
  • Uric acid stones, renal colic, urinary frequency
  • Serious: hepatic necrosis, nephrotic syndrome, anaphylaxis, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia (possibly with G6PD deficiency)

Interactions

  • Methotrexate: increased levels and toxicity
  • Salicylates: contraindicated
  • Penicillins and other beta-lactams: higher levels may increase their adverse reactions
  • Oral sulfonylureas: increased risk of hypoglycemia; less thiopental needed for anesthesia
  • Indomethacin, acetaminophen, naproxen, ketoprofen, lorazepam, rifampin and others: increased plasma levels

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Probenecid crosses the placenta and appears in cord blood; benefit must be weighed against possible hazards

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Germany

  • Probenecid BiokanolBiokanol · 1 register entry
  • Probenecid WeimerBiokanol · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

Brand names in 4 more European countries
Denmark
Probenecid Medic
France
Santuril
Norway
Probecid
Sweden
Probecid

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Probenecid (Lannett Company, Inc.) – Prescribing Information, 2021-01-05. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=ab497fd8-00c3-4364-b003-b39d21fbdf38
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. Wikidata (CC0): ATC M04AB.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.