Ethacrynic acid

Indications

Ethacrynic acid is used for: Oedema, Acute pulmonary oedema

Adult Dose

Oral Oedema Adult: Initially, 50 mg in the morning, increase if necessary, by 25-50 mg increments daily to min effective dose. Usual effective range: 50-200 mg daily. Severe cases: Up to 400 mg daily. Doses >50 mg should be given in divided doses. Child: >2 yr Initially, 25 mg daily, increase cautiously if necessary, by 25 mg daily. Intravenous Acute pulmonary oedema Adult: As Na etacrynate: Usual dose: 50 mg or 0.5-1 mg/kg via slow IV inj or infusion over 10 min; a 2nd dose may be given, if required, at a new inj site. Max: 100 mg

Child Dose

Congenital Heart Disease, Nephrotic Syndrome PO: 1 mg/kg/dose qDay; may increase q2-3days to maximum of 3 mg/kg/day IV: Data limited; 1 mg/kg IV

Renal Dose

Renal Impairment Not necessary to supplement dose; not removed by hemo- or peritoneal dialysis CrCl <10 mL/minute: Not recommended

Administration

IV Administration Do not give SC or IM due to local pain & irritation Single doses should not exceed 100 mg Administer IVP at 10 mg/min If second dose needed, a new injection site is recommended to avoid possible thrombophlebitis

Contra Indications

Anuria, history of severe watery diarrhoea. Infants.

Precautions

Patient w/ advanced hepatic cirrhosis, electrolyte imbalance, hepatic encephalopathy, severe myocardial disease and those undergoing surgery. Renal impairment. Childn. Pregnancy and lactation. Monitoring Parameters Monitor BP, renal function, serum electrolytes, CO2, BUN, fluid status including input and output, wt, hearing.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy Category: B Lactation: excretion in milk unknown/not recommended

Interactions

May increase the ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics and some cephalosporins. May increase risk of GI bleeding when used w/ other gastric irritants, corticosteroids, anticoagulants. May cause orthostatic hypotension when used w/ other antihypertensive agents. Displaces warfarin from plasma protein. May increase risk of lithium toxicity. Decreased therapeutic effect w/ NSAIDs. May interfere w/ the hypoglycaemic effect of insulin or other antidiabetic agents. May potentiate kaliuresis and natriuretic effect of acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, methazolamide.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Ethacrynic acid : Frequency Not Defined Injection site reaction Hyperuricemia Gout Hypotension Hypokalemia Electrolyte abnormalities Hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia Hyperlipidemia Ototoxicity Tinnitus Photosensitivity Muscle cramps Dizziness Confusion Headache Nausea/vomiting Anorexia Dysphagia Diarrhea Pancreatitis Agranulocytosis Neutropenia Thrombocytopenia Hematuria

Mechanism of Action

Etacrynic acid is a loop diuretic that binds w/ sulfhydryl groups of renal cellular proteins. It inhibits the reabsorption of Na and Cl in the ascending loop of Henle and distal renal tubules, interfering w/ the Cl-binding cotransport system, hence excretion of Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Cl ions are increased and water excretion enhanced.