Ammonul

Generic name:Sodium Benzoate and Sodium Phenylacetate (systemic)
Drug class:Miscellaneous uncategorized agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 10, 2022.

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.

• Ammonul

Category

• Antihyperammonemic

What is Ammonul?

Ammonul is used to treat a condition caused by too much ammonia in the blood (hyperammonemia). Ammonul works by causing less ammonia to be produced by the body.

Ammonia is formed from the breakdown of protein in the body. If the ammonia cannot be removed by the body, then a build up may cause serious unwanted effects.

Ammonul may cause nausea and vomiting. An anti-nausea medicine may be used during administration.

Ammonul is available only with your doctor's prescription in the following dosage form:

• Parenteral Injection (U.S.)

Before Using Ammonul

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 Ammonul, the following should be considered:

Allergies? Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sodium benzoate or sodium phenylacetate. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy? Ammonul has not been studied in pregnant women or animals.

Breast-feeding? It is not known whether Ammonul passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking Ammonul and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children? Ammonul has been tested in children and, ineffective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults? Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing the use of Ammonul in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other 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. When you are taking Ammonul, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking the following:

• Corticosteroids - May cause breakdown of body protein and increase ammonia levels in your body
• Penicillins - Use with penicillins may keep the Ammonul from working properly

Other medical problems? The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Ammonul. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cancer - Use of Ammonul may increase your chance of side effects
• Edema (swelling) or
• Heart disease - Increased retention of wa...