Ethacrynic acid injection

What is this medicine?

ETHACRYNIC ACID (eth a KRIN ik AS id) is a diuretic. It helps you make more urine and to lose salt and excess water from your body. This medicine is used to treat edema, heart failure, or water retention.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is injected into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or a clinic.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions such as skin rash or itching, hives, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat

• blood in the urine or stools

• blurred vision

• dry mouth

• fever or chills

• hearing loss, ringing in the ears

• irregular heartbeat

• muscle cramps, pain or weakness

• unusually weak or tired

• vomiting or diarrhea

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache

• loss of appetite

• stomach upset, pain or nausea

• unusual bleeding or bruising

What may interact with this medicine?

• antiinflammatory drugs like indomethacin

• certain antibiotics given by injection

• diuretics

• heart medicines like digoxin

• hormones like cortisone, fludrocortisone, or hydrocortisone

• lithium

• medicines for diabetes

• medicines for high blood pressure

• warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store vials at room temperature (59 and 86 degrees F). After mixing the injection solution use within 24 hours. Do not use if the solution is hazy or cloudy. Throw away any unused injection solution.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• abnormal blood electrolytes

• diarrhea or vomiting

• gout

• hearing problems

• heart disease

• kidney disease, small amounts of urine, or difficulty passing urine

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ethacrynic acid, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

You will be closely monitored while taking this medicine. It will lower your blood pressure and may increase your blood sugar. If you are diabetic your sugar will need to be checked.

This medication can make you feel confused, dizzy or lightheaded. Drinking alcohol can make this worse. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not sit or stand up quickly.