Edecrin® (Ethacrynic Acid) Tablets for Edema Relief

What Edecrin® Is and How It Works

Edecrin® is the brand name for ethacrynic acid, a loop diuretic used to treat edema from heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or certain medications. It increases urine output by blocking the sodium-potassium-chloride transporter in the kidney’s thick ascending limb. This helps reduce fluid retention and swelling. People often compare Edecrin price and Edecrin cost when choosing therapy, especially if buying without insurance.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, and prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We also partner with vetted international pharmacies to source authentic brands and a broad selection at affordable pricing.

Edecrin belongs to the diuretic drug class known as loop diuretics. It is available as oral tablets, commonly 25 mg or 50 mg strengths. Most patients take it once or twice daily, timed to limit nighttime urination. The ethacrynic acid Edecrin mechanism pulls salt and water into the urine, which decreases fluid in the tissues. Unlike some loop diuretics, Edecrin is not a sulfonamide, so it may be considered when a sulfa allergy is a concern.

Common Edecrin uses include edema from congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, or steroid use. It is not a first-line blood pressure treatment, but it may help lower blood pressure by reducing volume. The Edecrin generic name is ethacrynic acid; an Edecrin generic may be used when appropriate.

Dosage and Usage

• Typical starting dose: 50 mg by mouth once daily. Some begin at 25 mg in sensitive patients.
• Titration: Increase by 25–50 mg at intervals as directed until desired diuresis is achieved.
• Usual maintenance: 50–200 mg per day in single or divided doses. Some cases may require up to 400 mg daily.
• Timing: Morning dosing is common to limit nighttime urination. A second dose, if used, is often mid-afternoon.
• With food: May be taken with or without food; food can reduce stomach upset.
• Missed dose: If near the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose.
• Hydration and electrolytes are monitored during therapy; potassium supplementation may be needed as directed.

• Store tablets at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) in a dry place. Short excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) are acceptable.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed and protect from moisture and light.
• For travel, keep your medication in the original labeled container in your carry-on.
• Do not leave tablets in a hot car or near freezing conditions. Avoid humidity, such as bathrooms.
• If using a weekly pill organizer, keep a backup supply in the original container at home.
• Bring enough tablets for your trip, plus extra in case of delays.

Benefits and Savings

Edecrin offers strong diuresis even when kidney function is reduced, making it useful in challenging edema. Because it is non-sulfonamide, it can be considered for patients who cannot take sulfa-based loop diuretics. Tablets are easy to split or adjust to fit individualized dosing plans.

Ordering Edecrin online from a Canadian pharmacy can lead to 60–80% savings compared with typical US pricing. Many patients evaluate Edecrin cost, Edecrin price, and ethacrynic acid cost before starting therapy. Savings can be meaningful for those paying out of pocket or managing Edecrin without insurance.

Multi-month supplies and occasional bulk promotions can lower the per-month cost. You can set simple reorder reminders so you do not run short. For extra value, see the current edecrin coupon.

You can also review condition information while comparing products in our Edema and Fluid Retention categories.

Side Effects and Safety

• Increased urination, thirst, or dry mouth
• Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing
• Headache or fatigue
• Nausea, stomach upset, or diarrhea
• Low blood pressure
• Electrolyte changes: low potassium, sodium, magnesium, or chloride
• Higher uric acid, which may trigger gout symptoms
• Rash or photosensitivity

Serious risks are uncommon but can include severe dehydration, kidney function changes, hearing changes or tinnitus at high doses or with other ototoxic drugs, and profound electrolyte loss. Seek urgent care for fainting, confusion, severe weakness, hearing changes, or palpitations. This medicine does not directly lower blood sugar, but if used with insulin or sulfonylureas, illness, reduced intake, or dehydration can raise the chance of hypoglycemia; monitoring may be needed.

Drug interactions may occur with digoxin (greater sensitivity with low potassium), lithium (higher levels), aminoglycosides (hearing risk), and NSAIDs (reduced diuretic effect). Avoid use in anuria, severe electrolyte depletion, or severe dehydration.

Onset Time

After an oral dose, diuresis often begins within 30–60 minutes. The peak effect typically occurs around 2 hours, with a duration of about 6–8 hours. Early treatment days focus on finding the dose that controls edema without excessive diuresis.

Swelling and weight can improve over several days as fluid is shed. Blood pressure, if elevated due to volume, may decrease within the first week as the dose stabilizes and sodium intake is controlled.

Compare With Alternatives

Furosemide is a widely used loop diuretic with similar efficacy and duration. Many patients do well on Furosemide, though some with sulfa allergies may prefer ethacrynic acid. Dose ranges differ, and relative potency is not one-to-one.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic used for hypertension and mild edema. It is less potent than loop diuretics for fluid overload. See Hydrochlorothiazide for options when milder diuresis suits the treatment goal.

Triamterene is potassium-sparing and often combined with a thiazide to balance potassium loss. While it is not a substitute for a loop diuretic in major edema, Triamterene may be part of combination therapy to reduce hypokalemia risk. For background on fluid balance, see our article It Goes In It Must Go Out Fluids Balance And Diuretics.

Combination Therapy

• Loop diuretic plus potassium supplement: helps prevent low potassium; doses are adjusted based on lab tests.
• Loop diuretic plus potassium-sparing diuretic (e.g., triamterene): reduces potassium loss; monitor for dehydration and blood pressure changes.
• Loop diuretic plus ACE inhibitor or ARB: common in heart failure; watch for low blood pressure and kidney effects.
• Loop diuretic with thiazide diuretic: used in resistant edema; requires close electrolyte monitoring.
• With digoxin: maintain potassium to reduce arrhythmia risk.
• With lithium: levels may rise; alternative therapy or level monitoring is often required.
• NSAIDs may blunt diuretic effect; discuss pain control options.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Ethacrynic acid can suit patients needing strong diuresis, especially when a sulfonamide allergy limits choices. It may not be appropriate in anuria, severe electrolyte depletion, or active dehydration. Hearing risks are higher at large doses or with aminoglycosides. Older adults and those with kidney or liver disease may require closer monitoring.

To manage costs, compare Edecrin cost and Edecrin tablet cost across sizes and strengths. Ordering a multi-month supply, when approved, can lower the per-month price. Bulk packs during a promotion can also help those paying the Edecrin cash price.

You can set simple reorder reminders in your account, so refills are timely when your prescriber authorizes more. If you are uninsured, learn ways to reduce Edecrin out of pocket expenses, including generics when suitable, and combination therapy that allows smaller doses.

Authoritative Sources

Review official information from these sources: Health Canada Drug Product Database: Ethacrynic Acid; FDA Prescribing Information (Drugs@FDA); DailyMed Product Labeling.

Order Edecrin® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This content is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient leaflet that comes with your medication.