Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is ethacrynic acid. You may hear it called by the brand name, 'Edecrin'.

It removes extra water and salt from your body. In fact, many people call it a 'water pill.' This medicine helps treat many conditions, such as heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease and more. 

You should take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. You should take it after eating a meal. 

It is important to know this medicine could make your body lose too much water or salt. You should ask your doctor how much fluid you should drink each day, and if you need to eat certain foods.

Some side effects can occur. You will urinate more often, especially shortly after a dose. And, you could feel a little dizzy. So, you should stand up slowly. Also, you should wait until you know how this medicine affects you before doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine can cause low blood pressure. You should ask how to check your own blood pressure. 

Also, this medicine can cause high blood sugar. So, patients with diabetes should ask how to manage this. 

As with any medicine, more serious side effects can occur. With ethacrynic acid, these include frequent thirst, hearing problems, a rash, and muscle cramps or weakness. Tell your doctor right away if you notice these or other unusual changes to your body. 

You should check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicine, and before drinking alcohol.  

For best results, follow your doctor's orders for checking your blood pressure and eating a special diet, if needed.