Ethacrynic acid

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Ethacrynic Acid

Ethacrynic acid (pronounced: eth-a-KRIN-ik AS-id) is a type of diuretic medication that is primarily used to treat edema (swelling) caused by heart failure, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, and other conditions. It works by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

Etymology

The term "ethacrynic acid" is derived from the chemical name 2,3-dichloro-4-(2-methylenebutyryl)phenoxyacetic acid. The name is a combination of parts of the chemical name, with "eth" from "methylene" and "acrynic" from "acetic".

Usage

Ethacrynic acid is used when there is a need for rapid diuresis or when other diuretics are not effective. It is also used in patients who are allergic to sulfonamide-based medications, which include most other diuretics.

Related Terms

  • Diuretic: A substance that promotes diuresis, i.e., the increased production of urine.
  • Edema: A condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body.
  • Sulfonamide: A group of drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections.

Side Effects

Like all medications, ethacrynic acid can cause side effects. Common side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, blurred vision, loss of appetite, stomach upset, and diarrhea. A serious side effect is a severe loss of body water (dehydration) and salt/minerals.

See Also

  • Loop diuretic: A type of diuretic that works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium-chloride (Na+/K+/2Cl−) co-transporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle.
  • Heart failure: A chronic condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
  • Kidney disease: A disease that damages the kidneys and decreases their ability to keep you healthy.
  • Liver cirrhosis: A late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions.

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