A recent research demonstrated that an old drug called probenecid could inhibit the replication of SARS-Cov-2 in an animal study. This study suggested that probenecid can be a potential treatment option for COVID-19 patients. A clinical trial on the efficacy of probenecid on covid 19 is set to start within this year.

Probenecid has been on the market for almost 70 years. It is still used clinically in selected patients to prevent gout attack. Although recent study suggested that probenecid could be a promising drug for the treatment of covid 19, Only double-blind randomized controlled trial will tell whether Probenecid is effective against covid 19.

According to IBM Micromedex ®, side effects of probenecid include:
 
Dermatologic Effects
Alopecia
Dermatitis
Flushing
Pruritus
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Urticaria

Gastrointestinal Effects
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Sore gums
Vomiting

Hematologic Effects
Anemia
Aplastic anemia
Hemolytic anemia
Leukopenia
Neutropenia
Pancytopenia
Thrombocytopenia

Hepatic Effects
Hepatic necrosis
1) Hepatic necrosis has been observed with use of probenecid

Immunologic Effects
Allergy to sulfonamide
Anaphylaxis
Hypersensitivity reaction

Musculoskeletal Effects
Gout
Rib pain

Neurologic Effects
Dizziness
Headache

Ophthalmic Effects
Retinal edema
1) One author reports a case of a patient receiving both probenecid and chloroquine (doses unspecified) who developed a right eye visual defect 5 days after instituting chloroquine while on probenecid therapy. Physical examination demonstrated right, unilateral, para-macular retinal edema. The author postulated that probenecid may have potentiated retinopathy due to chloroquine.

Renal Effects
Hematuria
Increased frequency of urination
Nephrotic syndrome
Renal colic
Uric acid bladder stone

Other
Fever

Serious side effects:
Dermatologic: Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Hematologic: Aplastic anemia, Leukopenia, Neutropenia, Thrombocytopenia
Hepatic: Hepatic necrosis
Immunologic: Anaphylaxis, Hypersensitivity reaction
Renal: Nephrotic syndrome (rare )

Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to probenecid or any component of the formulation; small- or large-dose aspirin therapy; blood dyscrasias; uric acid kidney stones; children less than years of age; initiation during an acute gout attack.

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