• Diagnostic aid (pancreatic function)

Bentiromide (ben-TEER-oh-mide) is used to help find out if the pancreas is working the way it should. The pancreas helps break down the bentiromide almost the same way it helps to break down food.

After bentiromide is broken down, a part of it appears in the urine. By measuring how much appears in the urine, your doctor can tell how well your pancreas is working.

How the test is done: Bentiromide is given by mouth as a single dose. After you take bentiromide, all of your urine is collected for the next six hours. The total amount is measured and a small sample is saved and examined. Your doctor may repeat the test after seven days.

This medicine was withdrawn from the U.S. market in October 1996.

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, test results may be affected by other things. For the test using bentiromide, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to bentiromide. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet—Eating prunes or cranberries shortly before the bentiromide test period starts will affect test results. Avoid these foods for 3 days before the test.

Pregnancy—Studies with bentiromide have not been done in pregnant women. However, in animal studies bentiromide has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether bentiromide passes into the breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in older children and adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of bentiromide in children up to 6 years of age with use in other age groups.

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 use of bentiromide 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 bentiromide it is especially important that your doctor know if you are taking or using any of the following:

• Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or
• Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
• Local anesthetics (e.g., benzocaine and lidocaine) or
• Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)-containing preparations (e.g., sunscreens and some multivitamins) or
• Procainamide (e.g., Pronestyl) or
• Sulfonamides (sulfa medicines) or
• Thiazide diuretics (water pills)—Use of these medicines during the test period will affect the test results

• Pancreatic supplements (e.g., pancrelipase)—Use of pancreatic supplements may give false test results

• Disease of the stomach and intestines or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease (severe)—These medical problems may cause false test results

Your doctor may ask you to avoid certain medicines or foods for at least 72 hours before this test is done. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Otherwise, this test may not work and may have to be done again.

Unless otherwise directed by your doctor:

• Do not eat anything after midnight the night before the test. Some foods may affect the results of the test.
• Urinate before taking bentiromide. You should have an empty bladder when you take the test.
• After taking bentiromide, drink a large glass of water (at least 8 ounces). Drink another large glass of water in 2 hours and then 2 more glasses of water in the next 4 hours. This will help increase the amount of urine, which is needed for testing.

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 health care professional immediately if either of the following side effects occurs:

• Rare
  • Shortness of breath or troubled breathing 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects should go away as the effects of the medicine wear off. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Diarrhea;  headache 
  
  

• Less common or rare
  • Gas;  nausea and vomiting;  weakness 
  
  

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