Aminohippurate

Aminohippurate is the sodium salt of para-aminohippuric acid (PAH). It is usually used for diagnostic purpose rather than treatment. It is administered into the body intravenously in order to assess renal function by measuring effective renal plasma flow.

This drug is introduced into the body under the direct supervision of a healthcare professional. This drug is water soluble in nature and commonly found in solution form.

If you are about to start Aminohippurate, the risks and benefits ratio of taking this medicine should be considered. This is a decision that your doctor will make with your active participation.

For this medicine, certain factors such as present and past illness, drug interactions, metabolic impairments, hypersensitivity reactions, pregnancy, lactation etc. should be considered as they may alter the drug action. Thus, the use of aminohippurate sodium should be considered cautiously.

Presence of some medical problems like diabetes, bronchial asthma, liver and/or kidney diseases may affect the desired plasma concentration as well as the duration of action of a drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems. Especially congestive heart failure or other heart diseases affect the use of aminohippurate sodium.

If you have had any allergic reaction to such medications or any other medicines, tell your doctor about that. Animal studies have shown an adverse effect but there are no adequate studies in pregnancy and lactation. Hence, potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

Aminohippurate sodium is a diagnostic agent which helps to estimate effective renal plasma flow (ERPF). Functional capacity of the renal tubular secretory mechanism is also measured.

This drug cannot be taken at home. Hospitalization is required for administration and measurement of kidney function. You should follow the doctor's directions and advice.

The amount of medicine that you take should not exceed the maximum therapeutic dose. Also, the frequency of your daily drug administration and the duration of drug therapy depend on the particular diagnostic process for which you are taking the medicine.

Renal function measurements, specifically clearance tests require intravenous infusion of such medications at a fixed rate in order to maintain the plasma drug concentration at the desired level. In clinical practice, the plasma concentration of PAH is usually maintained at 2 mg per 100 ml for better measurement of ERPF. An adult can achieve such plasma concentration by receiving 10 to 24 mg/min intravenously.

You should store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

The normal color of aminohippurate sodium infusion may range from colorless to yellow or brown solution. Color changes within this range cannot affect the efficacy of the drug.

All kinds of medicines should be kept out of the reach of children. Outdated medicine must be disposed in an appropriate way.

Some important measures should be taken if you feel any discomfort following any drug therapy. Firstly, you should stop using the drug and then consult with your physician immediately.

Regular visits are recommended to make sure Aminohippurate is working properly. Although aminohippurate sodium is well tolerated, its use is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity.

Certain drugs should not be used concurrently with such medications. Thus, you should tell your doctor if you are receiving any drug.

It is always recommended to consult with your doctor if you are in need of some drugs for another health problem. You should avoid some particular medicines such as sulfonamides, procaine, or thiazole sulfone while you are about to start the diagnostic procedure.

These drugs interfere with the analytical procedure affecting chemical color development which is carried out for renal clearance measurement of PAH. In addition, concurrent administration of probenecid reduces the tubular secretion of PAH. For this reason, patients receiving probenecid are found with less ERPF values.

There are some unwanted side-effects along with the desired effects of aminohippurate sodium. These side-effects usually go away during the treatment episode as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Additionally, your health care professional may demonstrate to you ways to prevent or reduce those unwanted side-effects. Sometimes, you may need to consult with the doctor if you feel any serious discomfort.

The following side effects may warrant medical care immediately:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Muscle cramps
• Flushing
• Tingling
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Rapid heartbeat, etc.

Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. anaphylaxis, angioedema, skin rashes etc.) may occur in those who are sensitive to such medications.

Patients may experience a sensation of warmth. Following initiation of infusion, the desire for defecation and micturition increases frequently.