Edecrin Sodium (Intravenous)

Ethacrynate sodium injection is part of a group of medicines known as loop diuretics or "water pills." Ethacrynate sodium is used to treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions. It works by affecting the kidneys to boost urine flow.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Your doctor will give you a limited number of doses of this medicine until your condition gets better, and then you will be changed to another medicine that functions in the same way. If you have any questions about this, speak with your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will weigh the risks against the benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, like those to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There have not been appropriate studies on how age affects the use of ethacrynate sodium injection in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

Studies so far have not shown any specific problems in elderly patients that would limit the use of ethacrynate sodium injection. However, older adults are more likely to have age-related kidney issues, which might require a change in dosage for those receiving ethacrynate sodium injection.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be used together with caution. In cases where two medicines could interact, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you receive this medicine. The following interactions are important but may not include all possible interactions.

Do not use this medicine with any of the following medicines. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medication or may change some of your other medicines.

• Desmopressin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Albuterol
• Amikacin
• Amikacin Liposome
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Aspirin
• Bepridil
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Buprenorphine
• Celecoxib
• Choline Salicylate
• Clonixin
• Codeine
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Digitoxin
• Dipyrone
• Dofetilide
• Droperidol
• Droxicam
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Formoterol
• Foscarnet
• Furosemide
• Gentamicin
• Ibuprofen
• Indomethacin
• Kanamycin
• Ketanserin
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Levomethadyl
• Lithium
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Metolazone
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Neomycin
• Nepafenac
• Netilmicin
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piroxicam
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sotalol
• Streptomycin
• Sulindac
• Tapentadol
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tobramycin
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Valdecoxib

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may raise the risk of certain side effects, but using both could be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Benazepril
• Captopril
• Cilazapril
• Cortisone
• Enalapril
• Enalaprilat
• Fosinopril
• Germanium
• Ginseng
• Gossypol
• Licorice
• Lisinopril
• Moexipril
• Perindopril
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Spirapril
• Trandolapril
• Zofenopril

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Anuria (not able to form urine) or
• Severe electrolyte imbalance (low or high amounts of minerals in the blood), or
• Severe watery diarrhea—Should not use in patients with these conditions.

• Diabetes—This medicine may raise blood sugar levels.

• Hearing problems or
• Hypochloremia (low chloride in the blood) or
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or
• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or
• Hypovolemia (low blood volume) or
• Advanced liver disease (cirrhosis)—Use with caution. This medicine may worsen these conditions.

• Hypoproteinemia (low protein in the blood)—May reduce the medicine's effectiveness.

• Severe kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be stronger due to slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Along with its necessary effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not everyone will experience these side effects, but if they do happen, you may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects happen:

Rare

• Bleeding gums
• bloating
• clay-colored stools
• constipation
• darkened urine
• indigestion
• itching
• large, flat, blue or purplish patches on the skin
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• painful knees and ankles
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly spreading to the back
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• raised red swellings on the skin, the buttocks, legs, or ankles
• skin rash
• unpleasant breath odor
• vomiting blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not determined

• Anxiety
• black, tarry stools
• blood in urine
• blurred vision
• cold sweats
• coma
• confusion
• convulsions (seizures)
• cool, pale skin
• cough or hoarseness
• depression
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fast heartbeat
• fever with or without chills
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• headache
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• lower back, side, or stomach pain
• nausea
• nervousness
• nightmares
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• shakiness
• shortness of breath
• slurred speech
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• sweating
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• troubled breathing
• unexplained weight loss
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• watery and severe diarrhea

Get emergency help right away if any of the following signs of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Confusion
• decreased urination
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when suddenly getting up from lying or sitting down
• increase in heart rate
• irregular heartbeat
• muscle cramps or pain
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• rapid breathing
• sunken eyes
• thirst
• trembling
• weakness and heaviness of the legs
• wrinkled skin

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects might go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to offer ways to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not determined

• Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears
• difficulty swallowing
• fear
• feeling of constant movement of yourself or your surroundings
• feeling of fullness in the ears
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hearing loss
• irritation or pain at the injection site
• mild diarrhea
• sensation of spinning
• stomach soreness or discomfort
• weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

In the U.S.

• Edecrin Sodium

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Ethacrynic Acid

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.