Other drug names:	A-Am  An-Az  B  C-Ch  Ci-Cz  D-Dh  Di-Dz  E  F  G  H  I-J  K-L  M-Mh  Mi-Mz  N-Nh  Ni-Nz  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q-R  S-Sn  So-Sz  T-To  Tp-Tz  U-V  W-Z  0-9

In the U.S.—

Potaba Potaba Envules

Potaba Powder

In Canada—

Potaba Potaba Envules

Potaba Powder

Other commonly used names are KPAB; potassium aminobenzoate; potassium para-aminobenzoate.

• Antifibrotic

Aminobenzoate potassium ( a-mee-noe-BEN-zoe-ate poe-TAS-ee-um) is used to treat fibrosis, a condition in which the skin and underlying tissues tighten and become less flexible. This condition occurs in such diseases as dermatomyositis, morphea, Peyronie's disease, scleroderma, and linear scleroderma.

Aminobenzoate potassium is also used to treat a certain type of inflammation (nonsuppurative inflammation) that occurs in such diseases as dermatomyositis, pemphigus, and Peyronie's disease.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
• Powder for oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

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 aminobenzoate potassium, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aminobenzoate potassium or aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet—Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—Aminobenzoate potassium has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of aminobenzoate potassium in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Elderly people may be more sensitive to certain symptoms of the low blood sugar side effect. These symptoms include confusion, difficulty in concentration, and headache. In addition, these symptoms may be harder to detect in elderly persons than in younger adults. This may increase the chance of problems during treatment with this medicine.

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 aminobenzoate potassium, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Aminosalicylates or
• Sulfonamides (sulfa medicine)—Aminobenzoate potassium may decrease the effects of these medicines

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

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)—The risk of the medicine causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may be increased

• Kidney disease—Aminobenzoate potassium is removed from the body by the kidneys; higher blood levels of the medicine may occur if kidney disease is present, which may increase the chance of side effects

Take this medicine with meals or snacks to lessen the possibility of stomach upset. If stomach upset continues, check with your doctor.

For patients taking the capsule or tablet form of aminobenzoate potassium:

• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water or milk to lessen the possibility of stomach upset.
• Patients using the tablets should dissolve them in water before taking. This will help lessen the possibility of stomach upset.

For patients using the powder form of this medicine:

• This medicine should never be taken in its dry form. Instead, always mix it with water or citrus juice, as directed.
• To cover up the taste of aminobenzoate potassium, you may dissolve the powder in citrus drinks instead of in water. However, if you do dissolve the powder in water, drinking a citrus juice or a carbonated beverage immediately after each dose of medicine will also help cover up the taste.
• The flavor of this medicine is improved if the solution is chilled before you take it.
• For patients using the two-gram individual packets of powder:
  • Dissolve one packet (2 grams) of aminobenzoate potassium in a full glass (8 ounces) of water or citrus juice.
  • Stir well to dissolve the powder.
• For patients using the bulk powder form of this medicine:
  • Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure out the correct amount of medicine. Your health care professional can help you with this.
  • To make a 10-percent solution of this medicine:
    • Choose a container that is resistant to light, such as an amber glass container, a metal container, or a plastic container that you cannot see through. Make sure the container is large enough to measure one liter (approximately one quart).
    • Place 100 grams (approximately 3 ounces) of aminobenzoate potassium powder in the container.
    • Add enough water or citrus juice to make one liter (approximately one quart) of solution and stir well.
    • Store the solution in a container that is resistant to light, such as an amber glass container, a metal container, or a plastic container that you cannot see through.
    • Keep the solution refrigerated. Stir well before pouring each dose. Discard the unused portion after one week.

For this medicine to be effective, it must be taken every day as ordered by your doctor. It may take 3 or more months before you begin to see an improvement in your condition.

Dosing—

The dose of aminobenzoate potassium will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose of aminobenzoate potassium. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules, powder for oral solution, and tablets):
  • For fibrosis:
    • Adults—12 grams a day, divided into four to six doses and taken with meals or snacks.
    • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 220 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (100 mg per pound) of body weight a day. This is divided into four to six doses and taken with meals or snacks.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Store the liquid form of this medicine in the refrigerator. However, keep the medicine from freezing. Store the liquid form of this medicine in a container that is resistant to light, such as an amber glass container, a metal container, or a plastic container that you cannot see through.
• Discard the unused portion of the liquid form of this medicine after one week.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

While you are taking this medicine, it is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits.

Check with your doctor right away if you cannot eat normally while taking this medicine because of nausea, loss of appetite, or for any other reason. Taking this medicine when you have not been eating normally for several days may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

If symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) appear, stop taking this medicine, eat or drink something containing sugar, and check with your doctor right away. Good sources of sugar are table sugar mixed in water, sugar cubes, orange juice, corn syrup, or honey. One popular source of sugar is a glassful of orange juice containing 2 or 3 teaspoonfuls of table sugar.

• Tell someone ahead of time to take you to your doctor or to a hospital right away if you begin to feel that you may pass out. If you do pass out, emergency help should be gotten at once.
• Even if you correct the symptoms of low blood sugar by eating or drinking something with sugar, it is very important to call your doctor right away. The effects this medicine has on low blood sugar may last for a few days, and the symptoms may return often during this period of time.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common or rare
  • Chills;  fever;  skin rash;  sore throat 
  
  

• Symptoms of low blood sugar
  • Anxiety;  chills;  cold sweats;  confusion;  cool pale skin;  difficulty in concentration;  drowsiness;  excessive hunger;  fast heartbeat;  headache;  nervousness;  shakiness;  unsteady walk;  unusual tiredness or weakness 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if either of the following side effects continues or is bothersome:

• More common
  • Loss of appetite;  nausea 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Revised: 07/06/1994