Prolonged Administration of Ethacrynic Acid in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease

Abstract

EARLY reports on the administration of ethacrynic acid, or 2,3-dichloro-4-(2-methylene butyryl) phenoxyacetic acid,¶ for periods of a few days to several weeks have shown that the drug produces a marked diuresis in patients with either congestive heart failure or hepatic cirrhosis.^{1 2 3 4} Significant diuresis has also been observed in patients with the nephrotic syndrome.^{5 , 6} Because of our initial success with ethacrynic acid in the short-term treatment of nephrotic patients refractory to other natriuretic agents⁷ we continued the drug beyond the hospital period in an effort to maintain these patients free of edema at home and at work. Their response to the . . .