Ethacrynic Acid

The Basics

What is Ethacrynic Acid?

Used to treat edema caused by medical problems such as cancer, heart, kidney, or liver disease.

Brand names for Ethacrynic Acid

Edecrin

How Ethacrynic Acid is classified

Antihypertensive Agents, Loop Diuretics

Ethacrynic Acid During Pregnancy

Ethacrynic Acid pregnancy category

Category BNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Ethacrynic Acid while pregnant

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 EDECRIN (ethacrynic acid) . In a two-litter study in the dog and rat, oral doses of 5 or 20 mg/kg/day (2¬Ω 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, EDECRIN (ethacrynic acid) should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Taking Ethacrynic Acid While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Ethacrynic Acid?

Because no information is available on the use of ethacrynic acid during breastfeeding and because intense diuresis might decrease lactation, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Because no information is available on the use of ethacrynic acid during breastfeeding and because intense diuresis might decrease lactation, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Ethacrynic Acid on milk supply

Ethacrynic acid was reportedly used successfully to suppress lactation in 6 postpartum women who did not want to breastfeed and to decrease the intensity of milk production in another.[1] The added contribution of the diuretic to the other measures, which are effective in suppressing lactation, has not been studied. No data exist on the effects of loop diuretics on established, ongoing lactation.

Possible alternatives to Ethacrynic Acid

Chlorothiazide, Hydrochlorothiazide.