Ammonia scavenger

Sodium benzoate

Sodium benzoate is a nitrogen-scavenging agent used in the management of hyperammonaemia associated with urea cycle disorders, and it is also widely used as a preservative excipient.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It conjugates with glycine to form hippurate, which is excreted renally, providing an alternative route for nitrogen elimination and thereby lowering plasma ammonia.

Prescribing in practice

Therapeutic use in urea cycle disorders requires specialist metabolic supervision, as inadequate ammonia control can cause irreversible neurological damage.
Use cautiously in patients with cardiac or renal impairment because of its sodium content.
As an excipient, sodium benzoate may cause or aggravate jaundice in neonates and is relevant in young infants.

Monitoring

In metabolic use, monitor plasma ammonia, amino acids and clinical neurological status closely under specialist guidance.

Counselling the patient

This medicine helps remove excess ammonia from the body.
Attend all monitoring appointments as advised by the metabolic team.
Seek urgent advice if there is drowsiness, vomiting or confusion.

Evidence & guidelines

Nitrogen-scavenging therapy is established in the specialist management of urea cycle disorders to control hyperammonaemia.

Reference: SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways