ethacrynic acid
Brand names: Edecrin
Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) is a strong diuretic, also known as a water pill. It helps your body get rid of extra fluid.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$1.16/unit
Generic Available
Yes (6 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats swelling (edema) caused by heart failure, liver problems like cirrhosis, and kidney disease.
Common side effects
Loss of appetite, Feeling unwell, Stomach discomfort or pain
Key warnings
You should not take this medicine if you cannot urinate.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take Edecrin tablets by mouth. Your doctor will tell you how much to take. Start with the lowest dose needed to gradually lose 1 to 2 pounds per day. You can take it with or after a meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose every few days.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature (77°F), but it is ok to be between 59° to 86°F.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 384 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 520 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1997–2025.
Total Reports
520
Death-Related Reports
64
Hospitalization Reports
212
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG REACTION WITH EOSINOPHILIA AND SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS | 59 |
| 2 | OFF LABEL USE | 50 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 43 |
| 4 | DYSPNOEA | 42 |
| 5 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 35 |
| 6 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 33 |
| 7 | FATIGUE | 32 |
| 8 | DIARRHOEA | 31 |
| 9 | VOMITING | 31 |
| 10 | DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY | 28 |
| 11 | ASTHENIA | 25 |
| 12 | DEATH | 24 |
| 13 | WEIGHT DECREASED | 24 |
| 14 | DIZZINESS | 23 |
| 15 | HEADACHE | 23 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics because they reduce its renal clearance and add a high risk of lithium toxicity. Read circulars for lithium preparations before use of such concomitant therapy.
Mechanism: Ethacrynic acid makes it harder for the kidneys to remove lithium from the body. This can cause lithium to build up to dangerous levels.
What to do: Avoid taking these two drugs together. If they must be used, your doctor should monitor your lithium levels very closely.
A number of drugs, including ethacrynic acid, have been shown to displace warfarin from plasma protein; a reduction in the usual anticoagulant dosage may be required in patients receiving both drugs.
Mechanism: Ethacrynic acid knocks warfarin off the proteins it usually sticks to in your blood. This leaves more active warfarin in your system, which can increase the risk of bleeding.
What to do: Your doctor may need to reduce your warfarin dose and check your blood clotting time more often.
Amphotericin B or potassium-depleting diuretics (benzothiadiazines and related drugs, ethacrynic acid and furosemide) – enhanced hypokalemia.
Mechanism: Both drugs cause the body to get rid of potassium through the urine. This can lead to very low potassium levels in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor should check your blood potassium levels often and may suggest a supplement if needed.
Furosemide should not be used concomitantly with ethacrynic acid because of the possibility of ototoxicity.
Mechanism: Using these two medicines together can increase the risk of hearing loss or ear damage.
What to do: Do not take these two medications at the same time.
7.6 Ototoxic Drugs Loop diuretics increase the ototoxic potential of other ototoxic drugs, including aminoglycoside antibiotics and ethacrynic acid.
Mechanism: Both drugs can be harmful to your ears. Taking them together increases the chance of hearing loss or balance problems.
What to do: Use this combination with caution and tell your doctor right away if you notice ringing in your ears or hearing changes.
Common Questions
Can I take Edecrin if I have kidney problems?
What should I do if I get diarrhea while taking Edecrin?
Can Edecrin affect my hearing?
How quickly will Edecrin start working?
Can I take Edecrin with other diuretics?
What if I am allergic to Edecrin?
Will Edecrin affect my blood sugar?
Can Edecrin cause gout?
Does Edecrin interact with other medications?
How will my doctor monitor me while I am taking Edecrin?
What are the common side effects of ethacrynic acid?
Does ethacrynic acid interact with other medications?
What drug class is ethacrynic acid?
Is ethacrynic acid safe during pregnancy?
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Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for ethacrynic acid
The FDA label for ethacrynic acid (sold under brand names such as Edecrin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Loop Diuretic class. This medicine treats swelling (edema) caused by heart failure, liver problems like cirrhosis, and kidney disease. Official labeling lists 14 commonly reported side effects, including Loss of appetite, Feeling unwell, Stomach discomfort or pain.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 384 voluntary reports. The database also lists 5 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.16.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: August 31, 2020
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages