ethacrynic acid vs fludrocortisone

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Side-by-side comparison of ethacrynic acid and fludrocortisone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Amphotericin B or potassium-depleting diuretics (benzothiadiazines and related drugs, ethacrynic acid and furosemide) – enhanced hypokalemia.

Drug Class
ethacrynic acid Loop Diuretic
fludrocortisone Mineralocorticoid
Type
ethacrynic acid Prescription
fludrocortisone Prescription
Summary
ethacrynic acid

Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) is a strong diuretic, also known as a water pill. It helps your body get rid of extra fluid.

fludrocortisone

Fludrocortisone is a medicine that helps your body balance salt and fluids. It is used when your adrenal glands don't make enough of certain hormones.

What It Treats
ethacrynic acid

This medicine treats swelling (edema) caused by heart failure, liver problems like cirrhosis, and kidney disease. It can also manage fluid buildup in the belly (ascites) from cancer, unexplained swelling, and swelling due to problems with the lymph system. Edecrin can also be used short-term for hospitalized children (excluding infants) with heart problems or kidney problems.

fludrocortisone

This medicine is used to treat Addison's disease and salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome. These conditions happen when your adrenal glands don't make enough of certain hormones. Fludrocortisone helps your body hold onto salt and water, which is important for these conditions.

How It Works
ethacrynic acid

Ethacrynic acid helps your kidneys remove extra salt and water from your body. It works in a specific part of the kidney called the loop of Henle. This reduces fluid buildup and lowers blood pressure.

fludrocortisone

Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid. It works by helping your body to retain sodium and water. This helps to increase blood volume and blood pressure.

Common Side Effects
ethacrynic acid
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling unwell
  • Stomach discomfort or pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Nausea
fludrocortisone
  • High blood pressure
  • Swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles
  • Enlarged heart
  • Heart failure
  • Loss of potassium
FAERS Reports
ethacrynic acid
  • Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia And Systemic Symptoms 59
  • Nausea 43
  • Dyspnoea 42
  • Acute Kidney Injury 33
  • Fatigue 32
fludrocortisone
  • Feeling tired 146
  • Falling down 144
  • Feeling lightheaded 135
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 129
  • Death 126
Serious Warnings
ethacrynic acid

You should not take this medicine if you cannot urinate. If you develop increasing electrolyte imbalance, increased nitrogen in your blood, and/or decreased urination during treatment for severe, worsening kidney disease, stop taking this medicine. If you experience severe, watery diarrhea, stop taking Edecrin and do not take it again. Edecrin can sometimes cause deafness, ringing in the ears, and dizziness.

fludrocortisone

This medicine may cause you to retain too much sodium and water, leading to high blood pressure, swelling, and heart problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. This medicine can also interact with other medicines, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.

Pregnancy
ethacrynic acid

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if Edecrin will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

fludrocortisone

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. It is also not known if this medicine passes into breast milk.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This ethacrynic acid vs fludrocortisone Comparison

ethacrynic acid is classified in the Loop Diuretic drug class, while fludrocortisone sits within the Mineralocorticoid class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, ethacrynic acid has 209 submissions while fludrocortisone has 680. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs cause the body to get rid of potassium through the urine. this can lead to very low potassium levels in your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for ethacrynic acid or fludrocortisone.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.