Sodium benzoate
ammonia scavenger
“Bins o’ eight”
What it isA nitrogen scavenger that conjugates with glycine to form hippurate, which the kidney excretes — carrying nitrogen out of the body without the urea cycle.
Why this oneWith sodium phenylacetate, emergency treatment for hyperammonemia in urea cycle disorders; provides an alternative disposal route when the cycle is blocked.
What limits itIt removes nitrogen at the cost of a large sodium load, depletes glycine and carnitine, and is also familiar as a food preservative, which invites confusion with the therapeutic use.
FDA-approved for
- urea cycle disorder hyperammonemia (with sodium phenylacetate)
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
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Self-check
- What does sodium benzoate form by conjugating glycine?
Hippurate. - What electrolyte load accompanies sodium benzoate nitrogen removal?
A large sodium load.