Probenecid with antibiotics for cellulitis
Sounds like 'pro-ben-eh-sid'
Key points about probenecid with antibiotics
- Probenecid is sometimes used together with antibiotics such as flucloxacillin and cefalexin.
- Probenecid makes these antibiotics more effective at treating cellulitis by keeping the antibiotics in your body longer.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
Probenecid is sometimes used together with some antibiotic capsules (eg, flucloxacillin or cefalexin) for the treatment of cellulitis. Probenecid acts on your kidneys to slow down the removal of the antibiotic from your body, keeping the antibiotic in your body longer. This makes these antibiotics more effective in treating the infection.
Note: Probenecid is not an antibiotic. It doesn't kill or stop the growth of bacteria (bugs). It must be used with antibiotics to treat an infection.
For cellulitis, taking antibiotic capsules with probenecid instead of antibiotic injections has many benefits
Studies have shown that the combination of probenecid with flucloxacillin or cefalexin antibiotic capsules can work just as well as taking intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
- It's convenient: Antibiotic capsules are easier to take at home without the need for clinic visits or hospital admission.
- It's more comfortable: Taking antibiotic capsules means you can avoid needles or intravenous (IV) lines, which can be uncomfortable or restrictive.
- Lower risk of infection: Not having an injection helps to reduce the risk of infection at the injection site or in the blood stream.
- Costs less: Antibiotic capsules are generally less expensive than IV treatments, and you won't need hospital stays or medical equipment to have the antibiotic.
In Aotearoa New Zealand probenecid is available as tablets (500 mg).
For cellulitis, your healthcare provider may prescribe probenecid with antibiotics as follows:
- flucloxacillin 2 capsules (1000 mg) AND probenecid 1 tablet (500 mg), 3 times a day for 5 days
- OR
- cefalexin 2 capsules (1000 mg) AND probenecid 1 tablet (500 mg), 3 times a day for 5 days.
Image credit: Healthify He Puna Wairoa
Each dose will be 2 antibiotic capsules AND 1 probenecid tablet, taken 3 times a day for 5 days.
- Timing: Take each dose 3 times a day, at about the same time each day. Space your doses evenly through out the day. Ideally, these times are at least 6 hours apart, for example 8 am, 2 pm and 8 pm.
- You can take each dose with or without food: Taking it with food may help to reduce nausea (feeling sick).
- Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the right time. Don't take double the dose.
- Finish the course: It's important to take the whole course for the number of days your prescriber has advised you to. Don't stop taking it, even if you feel better. If you stop the antibiotics too soon, this may cause another infection.
You should start to feel better within 24 hours of starting the antibiotics and probenecid, but the redness and swelling may take a few more days to go away.
Here are some things to know when you're taking probenecid. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.
- Other medicines: Probenecid and antibiotics may interact with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori. Please check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting treatment and before starting any new products.
- Keep yourself hydrated: It's important to drink plenty of water while you're taking these medicines.
For cellulitis, as well as taking antibiotics, you can do other things
- Get plenty of rest. This helps your body to fight the infection. If you have cellulitis on your leg, limit walking for the first few days.
- Raise the affected body part on a pillow or chair as much as possible, ideally above the level of your heart. If your arm or hand is involved, use a sling when you're walking around. This helps reduce swelling and inflammation and promotes healing. Continue to do this for the first 72 hours at least.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Contact your healthcare provider if your cellulitis is getting worse, if you're feeling more unwell or if there's no improvement after 2 days on antibiotics.
Read more about how cellulitis is treated.
For the treatment of cellulitis, where antibiotics and probenecid are used together for only five days, you are unlikely to get ongoing side effects.
| Side effects | What should I do? |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.
Brochures
Medicines and side effects(external link) Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
5 questions to ask about your medications(external link) Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English(external link), te reo Māori(external link)
References
- Probenecid(external link) New Zealand Formulary, NZ
- Probenecid(external link) Medsafe datasheet, NZ
- Everts RJ, Begg R, Gardiner SJ, et al. Probenecid and food effects on flucloxacillin pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in healthy volunteers.(external link) J Infect. 2020 Jan;80(1):42-53.
- Bowhay TR, Tsang T, Wei JCZ, Edwik W, et al. Oral antimicrobial therapy for cellulitis versus outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: a single-centre audit of cellulitis outcomes.(external link) Intern Med J. 2024 Feb;54(2):320-327.
- (external link)Pharmacokinetic medicines interactions with probenecid(external link) Christchurch Medicines Information Service, NZ, 2022
Brochures
Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori
Free helplines
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Sharon Gardiner, Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha | Canterbury; Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland
Last reviewed:
Page last updated:
