Sodium phenylacetate and benzoate (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 8, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Ammonul

Available Dosage Forms:

Solution

Therapeutic Class: Hyperammonemia Agent

Uses for sodium phenylacetate and benzoate

Sodium phenylacetate and benzoate injection combination is used to treat hyperammonemia, which is a condition where there is too much ammonia in the blood. Ammonia is formed from the breakdown of protein in the body. If the ammonia cannot be removed by the body, high amounts in the blood may cause serious unwanted effects. Sodium phenylacetate and benzoate works to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood.

Sodium phenylacetate and benzoate is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Before using sodium phenylacetate and benzoate

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For sodium phenylacetate and benzoate, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sodium phenylacetate and benzoate or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sodium phenylacetate and benzoate injection in children.

Geriatric

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of sodium phenylacetate and benzoate injection have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving sodium phenylacetate and benzoate injection.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Sodium phenylacetate and benzoate Intravenous