Two medicines, side by side
Ethacrynic acid vs furosemide
Ethacrynic acid and furosemide are both labeled for heart failure and edema (fluid retention). Drugs@FDA records approvals of ethacrynic acid since 1967 and of furosemide since 1966. Pharmacies paid $0.807 per ethacrynic acid 25 mg tablet and $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the ethacrynic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 31, 2020); the furosemide FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2025).
Highlights of the ethacrynic acid record
Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) · label of August 31, 2020
Used for
From the label: indicationsEDECRIN is indicated for treatment of edema when an agent with greater diuretic potential than those commonly employed is required. 1. Treatment of the edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome. 2. Short-term management of ascites due to malignancy, idiopathic edema, and lymphedema. 3. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 10, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.807 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the furosemide record
Furosemide (Lasix) · label of September 30, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsEdema LASIX is indicated in adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome. LASIX is particularly useful when an agent with greater diuretic potential is desired. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 1, 1966
- Generic labelers
- 52 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.490 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ethacrynic acid label of August 31, 2020, Furosemide label of September 30, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ethacrynic acid and furosemide differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class loop diuretics.
Generics: ethacrynic acid since 2015; furosemide since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ethacrynic acid | Furosemide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Edema (fluid retention), Heart failure | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Loop Diuretic | Loop Diuretic |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 10, 1967 | July 1, 1966 |
| First generic approved | July 29, 2015 | September 26, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 10 labelers | 52 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.807 per tablet (Ethacrynic acid 25 mg tablet) | $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | -19% | +31% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 551 | 398,354 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Furosemide label, drug interactionsLASIX should not be used concomitantly with ethacrynic acid because of the possibility of ototoxicity.
Furosemide label, warningsReports usually indicate that LASIX ototoxicity is associated with rapid injection, severe renal impairment, the use of higher than recommended doses, hypoproteinemia or concomitant therapy with aminoglycoside antibiotics, ethacrynic acid, or other ototoxic drugs.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to ethacrynic acid
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions