ethacrynic acid

What is the most important information I should know about ethacrynic acid?

What is ethacrynic acid?

Ethacrynic acid is a loop diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to instead be passed in your urine.

Ethacrynic acid is used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or a kidney disorder such as nephrotic syndrome.

Ethacrynic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ethacrynic acid?

• you are unable to urinate; or
• you have recently had severe watery diarrhea.

To make sure ethacrynic acid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• cirrhosis or other liver disease;
• heart disease;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
• kidney disease;
• gout; or
• if you are on a low-salt diet.

Ethacrynic acid is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

How should I take ethacrynic acid?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Ethacrynic acid will make you urinate more often and you may get dehydrated easily. Follow your doctor's instructions about using potassium supplements or getting enough salt and potassium in your diet.

While using ethacrynic acid, you may need frequent blood tests and weight checks.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, increased thirst, mood changes, confusion, ringing in your ears, loss of appetite, vomiting, muscle pain or weakness, lack of energy, fast heartbeats, and little or no urination.

What should I avoid while taking ethacrynic acid?

Avoid becoming dehydrated. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while you are taking ethacrynic acid.

What are the possible side effects of ethacrynic acid

• weight loss;
• severe or watery diarrhea;
• hearing problems, feeling of fullness in your ear;
• severe weakness, muscle cramps, numbness or tingling;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• sudden numbness or weakness, problems with speech or balance, chest pain, coughing up blood;
• low potassium --leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or
• low sodium --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other stomach discomfort;
• trouble swallowing;
• loss of appetite;
• blurred vision;
• fever, chills; or
• headache, feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect ethacrynic acid?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis;
• lithium;
• blood pressure medications;
• an antibiotic (including those given through an IV);
• a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
• steroid medicine --prednisone, dexamethasone, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with ethacrynic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ethacrynic acid.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.01. Revision date: 7/14/2016.