What is this medication?

ETHACRYNIC ACID (eth a KRIN ik AS id) is a diuretic. It helps you make more urine and to lose salt and excess water from your body. It treats swelling from heart, kidney, or liver disease.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Edecrin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease
• high or low levels of electrolytes, like magnesium, potassium, or sodium in your blood
• kidney problems
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to drugname, other drugs, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Take it with food. Keep taking it unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 1 for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• antiinflammatory drugs like indomethacin
• certain antibiotics given by injection
• diuretics
• heart medicines like digoxin
• hormones like cortisone, fludrocortisone, or hydrocortisone
• lithium
• medicines for diabetes
• medicines for high blood pressure
• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Check with your health care provider if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this drug.

You may need to be on a special diet while you are taking this drug. Ask your health care provider. Also, find out how many glasses of fluids you need to drink each day.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

This drug may increase blood sugar. Ask your health care provider if changes in diet or drugs are needed if you have diabetes.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care provider as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions (skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• blurred vision
• decreased hearing, ringing of the ears
• high blood sugar (increased hunger, thirst or urination; unusually weak or tired, blurry vision)
• increased thirst
• kidney injury (trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• loss of appetite
• low blood sugar (feeling anxious; confusion; dizziness; increased hunger; unusually weak or tired; increased sweating; shakiness; cold, clammy skin; irritable; headache; blurred vision; fast heartbeat; loss of consciousness)
• low magnesium levels (fast, irregular heartbeat; muscle cramp or pain; muscle weakness; tremors; seizures)
• low potassium levels (trouble breathing; chest pain; dizziness; fast, irregular heartbeat; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; muscle cramps or pain)
• severe diarrhea
• unusual sweating

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care provider if they continue or are bothersome):

• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms
• headache
• infection (fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain or trouble passing urine)
• low blood pressure (dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired)
• painful or difficulty swallowing
• stomach pain
• vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused drug after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.