Ethacrynic Acid 25 mg Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Tablets

Available Strengths: 25 mg

Reference Brands: Edecrin (USA)

Category: Heart Disorder

Ethacrynic acid is a potent loop diuretic used to treat edema (fluid retention) associated with heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease and other causes. It works by inhibiting the Na+–K+–2Cl⁻ symporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, thereby increasing excretion of sodium, chloride, and water. Because it does not contain a sulfonamide moiety, it may be used in patients with sulfa drug allergies.

Product Description:

Ethacrynic acid is a loop diuretic that blocks the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, producing a powerful diuresis much like furosemide. Its distinguishing feature is chemical: it is the only loop diuretic that is not a sulfonamide derivative. That makes it the alternative for patients with a genuine sulfonamide allergy, which is essentially its remaining role, since furosemide and torasemide are otherwise preferred.

It is used for oedema in heart failure, liver cirrhosis and kidney disease, and for ascites. Adverse effects are those of potent loop diuresis — dehydration, hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypomagnesaemia, raised uric acid — and it is reported to carry a somewhat higher risk of hearing damage than other loop diuretics, particularly at high doses, given rapidly or alongside aminoglycosides. Gastrointestinal upset is more common than with furosemide.

Sourcing notes. A niche product with a very narrow supplier base, and in the US it became notorious for extreme price increases when a single supplier held the market. Registration is limited outside the US. Demand is small and specialist but persistent, since no other non-sulfonamide loop diuretic exists.