Medicine guide

Ethacrynic Acid

25 mg · Tablet

Prescription only
Loop Diuretic

Active substance: Ethacrynic Acid
Used in: Heart, blood pressure and circulation
Made by: St. Mary's Medical Park Pharmacy
Source: Official label

Quoted from the official source. Not yet reviewed by Mediclarum — the leaflet in your pack is authoritative.

At a glance

Quoted from the official label · 2026-06-26

What it is

Loop Diuretic

Used for

Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP are indicated for treatment of edema when an agent with greater diuretic potential than those commonly employed is required.

The label’s usual adult dose

Oral Use Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP are available for oral use as 25 mg tablets.

Full directions ↓

Do not take it if

All diuretics, including ethacrynic acid, are contraindicated in anuria.

All warnings ↓

Good to know

Prescription only
FDA enforcement reports list no ongoing recall, and none from the last two years, for this product code · checked 2026-10-02

9other products contain Ethacrynic Acid — compare makers, forms and strengths

Every line above is selected, not written, from the official label. Nothing is reworded. DailyMed

What it is for

Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP are indicated for treatment of edema when an agent with greater diuretic potential than those commonly employed is required.
Treatment of the edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome.
Short-term management of ascites due to malignancy, idiopathic edema, and lymphedema.
Short-term management of hospitalized pediatric patients, other than infants, with congenital heart disease or the nephrotic syndrome.

From the official label · 2026-06-26 · DailyMed

How it works

From this product’s own US prescribing label.

Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Ethacrynic acid acts on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle and on the proximal and distal tubules.
Urinary output is usually dose dependent and related to the magnitude of fluid accumulation.

Quoted from the prescribing label, sections “Mechanism of Action” and “Pharmacokinetics”. DailyMed · 2026-06-26

Do not take it if

All diuretics, including ethacrynic acid, are contraindicated in anuria.
If increasing electrolyte imbalance, azotemia, and/or oliguria occur during treatment of severe, progressive renal disease, the diuretic should be discontinued.
In a few patients this diuretic has produced severe, watery diarrhea.
If this occurs, it should be discontinued and not used again.
Until further experience in infants is accumulated, therapy with oral and parenteral ethacrynic acid is contraindicated.
Hypersensitivity to any component of this product.

Quoted from the official label, section “Contraindications”.

How to take it

These directions are for this exact strength and form. Another one is different.

Dosage must be regulated carefully to prevent a more rapid or substantial loss of fluid or electrolyte than is indicated or necessary.
The magnitude of diuresis and natriuresis is largely dependent on the degree of fluid accumulation present in the patient.
Similarly, the extent of potassium excretion is determined in large measure by the presence and magnitude of aldosteronism.
Oral Use Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP are available for oral use as 25 mg tablets.
Dosage:
To Initiate Diuresis In
Adults:
The smallest dose required to produce gradual weight loss (about 1 pound to 2 pounds per day) is recommended.
Onset of diuresis usually occurs at 50 mg to 100 mg for adults.
After diuresis has been achieved, the minimally effective dose (usually from 50 mg to 200 mg daily) may be given on a continuous or intermittent dosage schedule.
Dosage adjustments are usually in 25 mg to 50 mg increments to
avoid derangement of water and electrolyte excretion.
The patient should be weighed under standard conditions before and during the institution of diuretic therapy with this compound.
Small alterations in dose should effectively prevent a massive diuretic response.
The following schedule may be helpful in determining the smallest effective dose.
Day 1 — 50 mg once daily after a meal Day 2 — 50 mg twice daily after meals, if necessary Day 3 — 100 mg in the morning and 50 mg to 100 mg following the afternoon or evening meal, depending upon response to the morning dose.
A few patients may require initial and maintenance doses as high as 200 mg twice daily.
These higher doses, which should be achieved gradually, are most often required in patients with severe, refractory edema.
In Pediatric Patients (excluding infants, see CONTRAINDICATIONS ) :
The initial dose should be 25 mg.
Careful stepwise increments in dosage of 25 mg should be made to achieve effective maintenance.
Maintenance Therapy It is usually possible to reduce the dosage and frequency of administration once dry weight has been achieved.
Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP may be given intermittently after an effective diuresis is obtained with the regimen outlined above.
Dosage may be on an alternate daily schedule or more prolonged periods of diuretic therapy may be interspersed with rest periods.
Such an intermittent dosage schedule allows time for correction of any electrolyte imbalance and may provide a more efficient diuretic response.
The chloruretic effect of this agent may give rise to retention of bicarbonate and a metabolic alkalosis.
This may be corrected by giving chloride (ammonium chloride or arginine chloride).
Ammonium chloride should not be given to cirrhotic patients.
Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP has additive effects when used with other diuretics.
For example, a patient who is on maintenance dosage of an oral diuretic may require additional intermittent diuretic therapy, such as an organomercurial, for the maintenance of basal weight.
The intermittent use of Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP orally may eliminate the need for injections of organomercurials.
Small doses of Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP may be added to existing diuretic regimens to maintain basal weight.
This drug may potentiate the action of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, with augmentation of natriuresis and kaliuresis.
Therefore, when adding ethacrynic acid the initial dose and changes of dose should be in 25 mg increments, to
avoid electrolyte depletion.
Rarely, patients who failed to respond to ethacrynic acid have responded to older established agents.
While many patients do not require supplemental potassium, the use of potassium chloride or potassium sparing agents, or both, during treatment with Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP is advisable, especially in cirrhotic or nephrotic patients and in patients receiving digitalis.
Salt liberalization usually prevents the development of hyponatremia and hypochloremia.
During treatment with Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP salt may be liberalized to a greater extent than with other diuretics.
Cirrhotic patients, however, usually require at least moderate salt restriction concomitant with diuretic therapy.

Quoted from the official label, section “Dosage & Administration”.

Other warnings

The effects of ethacrynic acid on electrolytes are related to its renal pharmacologic activity and are dose dependent.
The possibility of profound electrolyte and water loss may be avoided by weighing the patient throughout the treatment period, by careful adjustment of dosage, by initiating treatment with small doses, and by using the drug on an intermittent schedule when possible.
When excessive diuresis occurs, the drug should be withdrawn until homeostasis is restored.
When excessive electrolyte loss occurs, the dosage should be reduced or the drug temporarily withdrawn.
Initiation of diuretic therapy with ethacrynic acid in the cirrhotic patient with ascites is best carried out in the hospital.
When maintenance therapy has been established, the individual can be satisfactorily followed as an outpatient.
Ethacrynic acid should be given with caution to patients with advanced cirrhosis of the liver, particularly those with a history of previous episodes of electrolyte imbalance or hepatic encephalopathy.
Like other diuretics it may precipitate hepatic coma and death.
Too vigorous a diuresis, as evidenced by rapid and excessive weight loss, may induce an acute hypotensive episode.
In elderly cardiac patients, rapid contraction of plasma volume and the resultant hemoconcentration should be avoided to prevent the development of thromboembolic episodes, such as cerebral vascular thromboses and pulmonary emboli which may be fatal.
Excessive loss of potassium in patients receiving digitalis glycosides may precipitate digitalis toxicity.
Care should also be exercised in patients receiving potassium-depleting steroids.
A number of possibly drug-related deaths have occurred in critically ill patients refractory to other diuretics.
These generally have fallen into two categories:
(1) patients with severe myocardial disease who have been receiving digitalis and presumably developed acute hypokalemia with fatal arrhythmia;
(2) patients with severely decompensated hepatic cirrhosis with ascites, with or without accompanying encephalopathy, who were in electrolyte imbalance and died because of intensification of the electrolyte defect.
Deafness, tinnitus, and vertigo with a sense of fullness in the ears have occurred, most frequently in patients with severe impairment of renal function.
These symptoms have been associated most often with intravenous administration and with doses in excess of those recommended.
The deafness has usually been reversible and of short duration (one to 24 hours).
However, in some patients the hearing loss has been permanent.
A number of these patients were also receiving drugs known to be ototoxic.
Ethacrynic acid may increase the ototoxic potential of other drugs (see PRECAUTIONS , Drug Interactions) .
Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics (see PRECAUTIONS , Drug Interactions) .
General Weakness, muscle cramps, paresthesias, thirst, anorexia, and signs of hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and/or hypochloremic alkalosis may occur following vigorous or excessive diuresis and these may be accentuated by rigid salt restriction.
Rarely, tetany has been reported following vigorous diuresis.
During therapy with ethacrynic acid, liberalization of salt intake and supplementary potassium chloride are often necessary.
When a metabolic alkalosis may be anticipated, e.g., in cirrhosis with ascites, the use of potassium chloride or a potassium-sparing agent before and during therapy with ethacrynic acid may mitigate or prevent the hypokalemia.
Loop diuretics have been shown to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium; this may result in hypomagnesemia.
The safety and efficacy of ethacrynic acid in hypertension have not been established.
However, the dosage of coadministered antihypertensive agents may require adjustment.
Orthostatic hypotension may occur in patients receiving other antihypertensive agents when given ethacrynic acid.
Ethacrynic acid has little or no effect on glomerular filtration or on renal blood flow, except following pronounced reductions in plasma volume when associated with rapid diuresis.
A transient increase in serum urea nitrogen may occur.
Usually, this is readily reversible when the drug is discontinued.
As with other diuretics used in the treatment of renal edema, hypoproteinemia may reduce responsiveness to ethacrynic acid and the use of salt-poor albumin should be considered.
Ethacrynic acid may increase the risk of gastric hemorrhage associated with corticosteroid treatment.
Laboratory Tests Frequent serum electrolyte, CO 2 and BUN determinations should be performed early in therapy and periodically thereafter during active diuresis.
Any electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected or the drug temporarily withdrawn.
Increases in blood glucose and alterations in glucose tolerance tests have been observed in patients receiving ethacrynic acid.
Drug Interactions Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics because they reduce its renal clearance and add a high risk of lithium toxicity.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility There was no evidence of a tumorigenic effect in a 79-week oral chronic toxicity study in rats at doses up to 45 times the human dose.
Ethacrynic acid had no effect on fertility in a two-litter study in rats or a two-generation study in mice at 10 times the human dose.
Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B:
Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk.
Pediatric Use There are no well-controlled clinical trials in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of ethacrynic acid, approximately 224 patients (21%) were 65 to 74 years of age, while approximately 100 patients (9%) were 75 years of age and over.
General Weakness, muscle cramps, paresthesias, thirst, anorexia, and signs of hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and/or hypochloremic alkalosis may occur following vigorous or excessive diuresis and these may be accentuated by rigid salt restriction.
Rarely, tetany has been reported following vigorous diuresis.
During therapy with ethacrynic acid, liberalization of salt intake and supplementary potassium chloride are often necessary.
When a metabolic alkalosis may be anticipated, e.g., in cirrhosis with ascites, the use of potassium chloride or a potassium-sparing agent before and during therapy with ethacrynic acid may mitigate or prevent the hypokalemia.
Loop diuretics have been shown to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium; this may result in hypomagnesemia.
The safety and efficacy of ethacrynic acid in hypertension have not been established.
However, the dosage of coadministered antihypertensive agents may require adjustment.
Orthostatic hypotension may occur in patients receiving other antihypertensive agents when given ethacrynic acid.
Ethacrynic acid has little or no effect on glomerular filtration or on renal blood flow, except following pronounced reductions in plasma volume when associated with rapid diuresis.
A transient increase in serum urea nitrogen may occur.
Usually, this is readily reversible when the drug is discontinued.
As with other diuretics used in the treatment of renal edema, hypoproteinemia may reduce responsiveness to ethacrynic acid and the use of salt-poor albumin should be considered.
Ethacrynic acid may increase the risk of gastric hemorrhage associated with corticosteroid treatment.

Quoted from the official label, section “Warnings”.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy Category B:
Reproduction studies in the mouse and rabbit at doses up to 50 times the human dose showed no evidence of external abnormalities of the fetus due to ethacrynic acid.
In a two-litter study in the dog and rat, oral doses of 5 mg/kg/day or 20 mg/kg/day (2½ or 10 times the human dose), respectively, did not interfere with pregnancy or with growth and development of the pups.
Although there was reduction in the mean body weights of the fetuses in a teratogenic study in the rat at a dose level of 100 mg/kg (50 times the human dose), there was no effect on mortality or postnatal development.
Functional and morphologic abnormalities were not observed.
There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Since animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, ethacrynic acid should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk.
Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from ethacrynic acid, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Pregnancy or Breast Feeding”.

Other medicines

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.
Ethacrynic acid may increase the ototoxic potential of other drugs such as aminoglycoside and some cephalosporin antibiotics.
Their concurrent use should be avoided.
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.
In some patients, the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent can reduce the diuretic, natriuretic, and antihypertensive effects of loop, potassium-sparing and thiazide diuretics.
Therefore, when ethacrynic acid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are used concomitantly, the patient should be observed closely to determine if the desired effect of the diuretic is obtained.

Quoted from the official label, section “Drug Interactions”.

If you take too much

In an emergency, call your local emergency number or a poison control centre.

Overdosage may lead to excessive diuresis with electrolyte depletion and dehydration.
In the event of overdosage, symptomatic and supportive measures should be employed.
Emesis should be induced or gastric lavage performed.
Correct dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, hepatic coma, and hypotension by established procedures.
If required, give oxygen or artificial respiration for respiratory impairment.
In the mouse, the oral LD 50 of ethacrynic acid is 627 mg/kg.

Quoted from the official label, section “Overdosage”.

Use in children

There are no well-controlled clinical trials in pediatric patients.
The information on oral dosing in pediatric patients, other than infants, is supported by evidence from empiric use in this age group.
For information on oral use in pediatric patients, other than infants, see INDICATIONS AND USAGE and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION .
Safety and effectiveness of oral and parenteral use in infants have not been established (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ).

Quoted from the official label, section “Pediatric Use”.

Use in older people

Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of ethacrynic acid, approximately 224 patients (21%) were 65 to 74 years of age, while approximately 100 patients (9%) were 75 years of age and over.
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
(See WARNINGS .) This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.
Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.
(See CONTRAINDICATIONS .)

Quoted from the official label, section “Geriatric Use”.

Side effects

Gastrointestinal Anorexia, malaise, abdominal discomfort or pain, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have occurred.
These are more frequent with large doses or after one to three months of continuous therapy.
A few patients have had sudden onset of profuse, watery diarrhea.
Discontinue Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP if diarrhea is severe and do not give it again.
Gastrointestinal bleeding has occurred in some patients.
Rarely, acute pancreatitis has been reported.
Metabolic Reversible hyperuricemia and acute gout have been reported.
Acute symptomatic hypoglycemia with convulsions occurred in two uremic patients who received doses above those recommended.
Hyperglycemia has been reported.
Rarely, jaundice and abnormal liver function tests have been reported in seriously ill patients receiving multiple drug therapy, including Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP.
Hematologic Agranulocytosis or severe neutropenia has been reported in a few critically ill patients also receiving agents known to produce this effect.
Thrombocytopenia has been reported rarely.
Henoch-Schönlein purpura has been reported rarely in patients with rheumatic heart disease receiving multiple drug therapy, including Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP.
Special Senses (see WARNINGS ) Deafness, tinnitus and vertigo with a sense of fullness in the ears, and blurred vision have occurred.
Central Nervous System Headache, fatigue, apprehension, confusion.
Miscellaneous Skin rash, fever, chills, hematuria.

Quoted from the official label, section “Adverse Reactions”.

What it looks like and how it is packed

Ethacrynic Acid Tablets, USP 25 mg, are white, capsule shaped scored (functional scoring) tablets debossed with 'SG' on scored side and '334' on the other side and supplied as Bottles of 30 tablets:
NDC 60760-773-30 Bottles of 60 tablets:
NDC 60760-773-60 Storage Store in a tightly closed container at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Manufactured by: ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Hauppauge, NY 11788 Rev: 11/19

Quoted from the official label, section “How Supplied”.

How to store it

Store in a tightly closed container at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Manufactured by:
ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. Hauppauge, NY 11788 Rev:
11/19

Quoted from the official label, section “Storage and Handling”.

What is in it

Ethacrynic acid is an unsaturated ketone derivative of an aryloxyacetic acid.
It is designated chemically as [2,3-dichloro-4-(2-methylene-1-oxobutyl)phenoxy] acetic acid, and has a molecular weight of 303.14.
Ethacrynic acid is a white, or practically white, odor less or practically odorless, crystalline powder, freely soluble in alcohol, chloroform and ether, very slightly soluble in water.
Its empirical formula is C 13 H 12 Cl 2 O 4 and its structural formula is:
Ethacrynic Acid Tablets USP are supplied as 25 mg tablets for oral use.
The tablets contain the following inactive ingredients:
lactose monohydrate, pregelatinized starch (corn), colloidal silicon dioxide, talc and calcium stearate.
FDA approved dissolution specification differs from the USP dissolution specification.
Chemical Structure

Quoted from the official label, section “Description”.

Ingredients people check for

Lactose, gluten, dyes, sugars and other ingredients that matter with an allergy, intolerance or diet — as this product’s FDA label lists them.

Lactoselactose monohydrateMilk sugar: matters with lactose intolerance or a milk allergy.

Quoted from the FDA label. A label that does not name an ingredient is not a guarantee that the product is free of it, and formulations change. With an allergy, check the pack and ask a pharmacist.

Every version of this medicine (10)

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Canada1 matching products

EDECRIN 25 mg · tablet

Every strength and form (1)

Details

Made by	St. Mary's Medical Park Pharmacy
Active substance	Ethacrynic Acid
Used in	Heart, blood pressure and circulation
Strength	25 mg
Form	Tablet
Route	Oral
Packs	30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC · 60 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC
NDC	60760-773

Source: NDC Directory · 2026-09-13 · not reviewed by a clinician

Source: US Food and Drug Administration, NDC Directory. Reuse terms: US government work (FDA).

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Other strengths and forms

9 products are sold under this name. Grouped by form; a number on a strength means several companies make it.

Tablet9 products
- 25 mg9
  25 mg · 9 companies
  - Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC
  - Bryant Ranch Prepack
  - Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals LLC.
  - Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  - Oceanside Pharmaceuticals
  - ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc
  - St. Mary's Medical Park Pharmacy · this page
  - TRUPHARMA LLC
  +1 more

Same active substance

These contain the same substance. That does not mean one can replace another — ask a pharmacist.

Edecrin25 mgPrescription onlyTablet Bausch Health US, LLC · Ethacrynic Acid Ethacrynic Acid25 mgPrescription onlyTablet Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC · Ethacrynic Acid Ethacrynic Acid25 mgPrescription onlyTablet Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals LLC. · Ethacrynic Acid Ethacrynic Acid25 mgPrescription onlyTablet ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc · Ethacrynic Acid Ethacrynic Acid25 mgPrescription onlyTablet TRUPHARMA LLC · Ethacrynic Acid Ethacrynic Acid25 mgPrescription onlyTablet Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · Ethacrynic Acid

See every product with Ethacrynic Acid