Uregyt

Drug name: Uregyt


Other names used:

• Crinuryl®
• Edecril®
• Edecrin®
• Edecrina®
• Endecril®
• Hidromedin®
• Hydromedin®
• Mingit®
• Otacril®
• Reomax®
• Taladren®
• Uregit®

Active Ingredients: Ethacrynic Acid

Therapeutic actions: Ethacrynic acid is a diuretic, which is commonly referred to as a "water pill." Specifically, it is known as a "loop diuretic," named after the part of the kidneys where it acts (the loop of Henle). The medication works by increasing the amount of salt and water that the kidneys remove from the blood, which is passed out through urine. By increasing the amount of water removed from the blood, ethacrynic acid causes a decrease in blood volume. This, in turn, helps with water retention.

Indications: Treating swelling due to congestive heart failure, liver problems, and severe kidney problems. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Contraindications and cautions:
You should not take ethacrynic acid if you:

• Are allergic to ethacrynic acid, Uregyt, or any inactive component used to make the medication. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist has a list of inactive ingredients.
• Experience severe, watery diarrhea while taking it.
• Experience worsening of kidney function while taking it.
• Are producing very little urine (oliguria) or no urine at all (anuria).
• Also, ethacrynic acid should not be used in infants.

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking ethacrynic acid (Uregyt®) if you have:

• Liver disease, including cirrhosis
• Kidney disease or kidney failure (renal failure)
• Diabetes
• Gout
• Fluid or electrolyte problems
• Any allergies, including allergies to sulfa drugs, foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:

• Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Ethacrynic acid is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means that it is probably safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not known. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using the drug while pregnant
• Are breastfeeding.

Important.

• The medication is a potent Diuretic with the potential to cause too much water and electrolyte loss. Your healthcare provider should carefully monitor you while you are taking it. This involves monitoring your weight (usually on a daily basis) and checking your electrolyte levels (using a blood test).
• If kidney problems seem to be getting worse (especially for those with severe kidney disease), ethacrynic acid should be stopped, since it can sometimes make kidney problems worse.
• Ethacrynic acid can cause hearing loss. Sometimes, this hearing loss is permanent. It is more common when high doses of ethacrynic acid are given intravenously or when combined with other medications that can cause hearing loss. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you notice hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• Ethacrynic acid may cause extreme low blood pressure in some people. This is more likely to happen when the medicine is first started or if the dosage is changed. It is also more likely to happen in people who:
• Are on dialysis
• Have congestive heart failure
• Have diarrhea or vomiting
• Sweat a lot.

This is why it is important to drink fluids regularly while taking ethacrynic acid. If you have any possible symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, contact your healthcare provider. If you have fainted, stop taking ethacrynic acid until you have talked to your healthcare provider.
Also, make sure not to drive, operate any heavy machinery, or perform any other tasks that require alertness until you know how ethacrynic acid affects you.

• The medication may affect electrolytes in the blood (including sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride). Therefore, your healthcare provider will regularly check these levels. If you notice any symptoms of a possible electrolyte imbalance, contact your healthcare provider. These symptoms may include:
  • Dry mouth
  • Thirst
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Drowsiness
  • Restlessness
  • Muscle pain or muscle cramps
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Decreased urination
  • Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
  • Nausea or vomiting.

Adverse effects: Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Frequent urination should go away after you take ethacrynic acid for a few weeks. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain
• thirst
• muscle cramps
• weakness
• headache
• diarrhea

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• loss of hearing
• confusion
• loss of balance
• ringing or fullness in the ears
• chills
• confusion
• sore throat
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• rash
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
Especially pay attention to the following drugs:

• Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as:
  • Amikacin (Amikin®)
  • Gentamicin
  • Kanamycin (Kantrex®)
  • Neomycin (Neo-Fradin®)
  • Streptomycin
  • Tobramycin
  • Blood pressure medicines
• Corticosteroids, such as:
  • Prednisone
  • Hydrocortisone (Cortef®)
  • Dexamethasone (Decadron®, Dexone®, Hexadrol®)
  • Digoxin (Digitek®, Lanoxin®)
  • Lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as:
  • Celecoxib (Celebrex®)
  • Diclofenac (Cataflam®, Voltaren®)
  • Etodolac (Lodine®)
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®)
  • Indomethacin (Indocin®, Indocin SR®)
  • Ketoprofen
  • Ketorolac (Toradol®)
  • Meloxicam (Mobic®)
  • Naproxen (Naprosyn®) or naproxen sodium (Aleve®, Anaprox®, Naprelan®)
  • Nabumetone (Relafen®)
  • Oxaprozin (Daypro®)
• Salicylates, such as:
  • Aspirin (Ecotrin®, Bayer®, Anacin®)
  • Choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate®)
  • Diflunisal (Dolobid®)
  • Salsalate (Salflex®, Disalcid®, Amigesic®)
  • Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.