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Medications for Ascites

About Ascites: 

An excess of fluid in the peritoneal cavity (membrane lining of the abdomen). This is typically caused by liver disease.

Disorders that may be associated with ascites include:

  • cirrhosis
  • hepatitis
  • portal vein thrombosis (clots in the veins of the liver)
  • constrictive pericarditis
  • congestive heart failure
  • liver cancer
  • protein losing enteropathy
  • nephrotic syndrome
  • pancreatitis

Drugs Used to Treat Ascites

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
furosemide C N X Add review
9.0

Generic name: furosemide systemic

Brand name:  Lasix

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Lasix C N X Add review
9.0

Generic name: furosemide systemic

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Aldactazide C N X Add review
7.0

Generic name: hydrochlorothiazide / spironolactone systemic

Drug class: potassium sparing diuretics with thiazides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

hydrochlorothiazide / spironolactone C N X Add review
7.0

Generic name: hydrochlorothiazide / spironolactone systemic

Brand name:  Aldactazide

Drug class: potassium sparing diuretics with thiazides

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

Bumex C N X Add review Rate

Generic name: bumetanide systemic

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

torsemide B N X Add review
8.0

Generic name: torsemide systemic

Brand name:  Demadex

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

bumetanide C N X Add review Rate

Generic name: bumetanide systemic

Brand name:  Bumex

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Demadex B N X Add review Rate

Generic name: torsemide systemic

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

amiloride B N X Add review
6.0

Generic name: amiloride systemic

Brand name:  Midamor

Drug class: potassium-sparing diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Dyrenium C N X Add review Rate

Generic name: triamterene systemic

Drug class: potassium-sparing diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Midamor B N X Add review
6.0

Generic name: amiloride systemic

Drug class: potassium-sparing diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

triamterene C N X Add review Rate

Generic name: triamterene systemic

Brand name:  Dyrenium

Drug class: potassium-sparing diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph

Sodium Edecrin B N X Add review Rate

Generic name: ethacrynic acid systemic

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Edecrin B N X Add review Rate

Generic name: ethacrynic acid systemic

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ethacrynic acid B N X Add review Rate

Generic name: ethacrynic acid systemic

Brand names:  Sodium Edecrin, Edecrin

Drug class: loop diuretics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Learn more about Ascites

Micromedex® Care Notes

Legend

Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Prescription Only / Over the Counter
Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Pregnancy
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act Schedule
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

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