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Sodium Phenylbutyrate

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Pronounced

"SOE-dee-um FEN-il-BUE-ti-rate"

Common brand names:

Pheburane

Uses

This medication is used along with diet changes for long-term treatment of a certain inherited disorder (urea cycle disorder). Sodium phenylbutyrate helps remove a certain chemical (ammonia) from the body. Too much ammonia in the body can cause brain damage and sometimes death.

This medication should not be used to treat sudden, severely high levels of ammonia in the body. Get medical help right away if you have sudden symptoms of too much ammonia (such as trouble thinking, nausea, vomiting, irritability, trouble speaking, trouble walking, fainting).

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking sodium phenylbutyrate and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your weight or body size, medical condition, and response to treatment. The total daily dose should be divided into equal amounts and taken with each meal or feeding (such as 3 to 6 times daily). Do not increase or decrease your dose without your doctor's approval.

Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Take this medication with water, fruit juice, or protein-free infant formula. You may also sprinkle the dose onto a spoonful of solid food (such as apple sauce) and eat right away to prevent salty taste. Do not chew the medication. Do not prepare a supply in advance.

Some brands may be given by a feeding tube (nasogastric/gastric). For specific directions, ask your health care professional.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.