Ethacrynate Sodium (eth-a-KRIN-ate SOE-dee-um)

Quickly lowers the amount of fluid in your body.

Brand Name(s):

Sodium Edecrin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

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 digoxin (Lanoxin®, Digitek®), lithium, or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a diuretic ("water pill") such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, torsemide, Demadex®, Lasix®, Aldactone®, Maxzide®, or Lozol®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®) or blood pressure medicine such as atenolol, metoprolol, lisinopril, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, or Zestril®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are on a salt restricted diet, or on salts containing potassium.
• Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using before receiving this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease, heart disease, or diabetes.

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 vomit or bloody stools.
• Confusion, weakness, or muscle twitching.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, or vomiting.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or body aches.
• Light-headedness or fainting.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Seizures.
• Severe watery diarrhea.
• Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or fever.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

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

• Blurred vision.
• Loss of appetite or trouble swallowing.
• Mild headache, tiredness, or confusion.
• Mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Mild skin rash.
• Pain in your joints.
• Pain, itching, swelling, burning, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• Ringing in your ears, trouble hearing, or dizziness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088