ONLINE PHARMACY find all drugs you want

Generic Name: ethacrynic acid (eh tha KRIN ik AS sid)
Brand Names: Edecrin

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 treats 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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or gout.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and your weight will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

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.

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

There are many other medicines that can interact with ethacrynic acid. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

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

Before using ethacrynic acid, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or

• gout.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use ethacrynic acid, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

How should I take ethacrynic acid?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

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.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and your weight will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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

• dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting;

• feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed;

• fast or uneven heartbeat;

• muscle pain or weakness;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• severe or watery diarrhea;

• rapid weight loss;

• hearing loss, feeling of fullness in the ear; or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Continue taking ethacrynic acid and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• mild diarrhea, stomach pain, trouble swallowing;

• headache; or

• dizziness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect ethacrynic acid?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• lithium;

• digoxin (Lanoxin);

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• other diuretics, especially furosemide (Lasix) or torsemide (Demadex);

• blood pressure medicines;

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• cancer medicine such as cisplatin (Platinol), carboplatin (Paraplatin), or oxiplatin (Eloxatin);

• a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, and others;

• salicylates such as aspirin, Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others;

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others; or

• amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use ethacrynic acid, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect ethacrynic acid. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about ethacrynic acid written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Ethacrynic acid is available with a prescription under the brand name Edecrin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Edecrin 25 mg--capsule-shaped, white, scored tablets

• Edecrin 50 mg--capsule-shaped, green, scored tablets

• 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.