Ethacrynic Acid

Ethacrynic acid, a 'water pill,' is used to treat fluid retention caused by various medical problems. It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

Ethacrynic acid comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with food. If you take ethacrynic acid once a day, take it with breakfast in the morning. If you take it twice a day, take it in the morning and in the afternoon to avoid going to the bathroom during the night. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ethacrynic acid exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Ethacrynic acid controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take ethacrynic acid even if you feel well. Do not stop taking ethacrynic acid without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Ethacrynic acid may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
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frequent urination (should not last longer than a few weeks)</li>
<li>
nausea</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
stomach pain</li>
<li>
thirst</li>
<li>
muscle cramps</li>
<li>
weakness</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
loss of hearing</li>
<li>
confusion</li>
<li>
loss of balance</li>
<li>
ringing or fullness in the ears</li>
<li>
chills</li>
<li>
confusion</li>
<li>
sore throat</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
<li>
rash</li>
<li>
difficulty breathing or swallowing</li></ul>Ethacrynic acid may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have unusual problems while you are taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking ethacrynic acid, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ethacrynic acid, any other medications or any of the ingredients in ethacrynic acid tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: other blood pressure medications, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin (Lanoxin), heart medications, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for diabetes, and probenecid (Benemid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or liver disease. talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking ethacrynic acid if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take ethacrynic acid because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ethacrynic acid. you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this affects you. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol during your treatment with ethacrynic acid. Alcohol can make the side effects of this medication worse.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.