Sodium Benzoate is also sold under the
brand name Ucephan as a Antihyperammonemic drug.
In combination with Sodium Phenylacetate it works to lower levels of ammonia in the blood by reducing the amount of the chemical formed during protein breakdown.
It interferes with the action of penicillin and may have the following side effects, especially at high doses:
Continual vomiting; feeling of faintness; rapid fall in blood pressure; shortness of breath; unusual drowsiness; unusual irritability.
It's no good for people suffering from edema or kidney problems.
In short, if you cut yourself and it smells like urine, drink a case of Mountain Dew and get to the hospital.