Ethacrynic Acid (eth-a-KRIN-ik AS-id)

Treats edema (swelling caused when your body holds on to too much water). This medicine is a diuretic ("water pill").

Brand Name(s):

Edecrin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using lithium, or a heart medicine called digoxin, Lanoxin®, or Digitek®. Tell your doctor if you are using certain antibiotics, such as Ceclor®, Keflex®, Amidin®, or Garamycin®, or steroids, such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®.
• Tell your doctor if you are using medicine to lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure medicines are atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, or Zestril®. The amount of blood pressure medicine that you are taking may need to be changed.
• Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®). The amount of blood thinning medicine that you are taking may need to be changed. You should also tell your doctor if you are taking pain or arthritis medicine, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil®, Aleve®, or Celebrex®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or breast feeding, or if you have heart disease, severe kidney disease or cirrhosis (a liver disease).
• You may need to weigh yourself daily and record your weight.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Bloody or black stools.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
• Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Pain in your lower leg (calf).
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Vomiting bloody or black vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Blurred vision.
• Dizziness, hearing loss, or ringing in ears.
• Headache, fatigue, nervousness, or confusion.
• Joint pain, such as pain in one of the big toes.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Skin rash, fever, chills, or blood in urine.
• Swallowing problems.