What does it do?

As of May 2020, new supplies of benzbromarone have become hard to get worldwide. You will need to switch to another gout preventing medicine, such as allopurinol. Please contact your specialist or GP for advice.

Benzbromarone is used to prevent gout. It helps your kidneys remove uric acid from your blood.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, or ever had kidney stones.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take benzbromarone regularly as directed with a glass of water.

What if you forget a dose?

Take the missed dose if you remember on the same day. If not, skip the dose and carry on as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with benzbromarone including:

• fluconazole (e.g. Diflucan®)

Benzbromarone can increase the effect of warfarin. If you are taking warfarin and start or stop benzbromarone, your warfarin dose will need to be changed and you will need more regular INR blood tests. Discuss with your healthcare professional.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Symptoms of liver problems including: yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, pale bowel motions, abdominal pain Persistent dry cough, trouble breathing	Tell your doctor immediately
Lower back pain, pink/red/brown pee (may be a kidney stone)	Tell your doctor
Diarrhoea	Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Benzbromarone can cause liver problems. You will need regular blood tests to check how your liver is working. Drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of liver problems.
• Benzbromarone can cause a gout attack when you start taking it, so your doctor may prescribe another medicine to prevent this happening. Keep taking benzbromarone during a gout attack. Stopping the tablets suddenly is likely to make your gout worse.
• Benzbromarone can cause kidney stones if you do not drink enough fluid. Discuss with your healthcare professional.
• Benzbromarone is not registered for use in New Zealand. Discuss with your doctor.