Drug & supplement interaction

Figwort + Ethacrynic Acid

Ethacrynic Acid brand name: Edecrin.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated October 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Figwort has a moderate interaction with Ethacrynic Acid. Theoretically, overuse of figwort might compound diuretic-induced potassium loss.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Facebook Post Reddit Email
On this page
Interaction report

Figwort and Ethacrynic Acid

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

DIURETIC DRUGS

Why this applies to Ethacrynic Acid

Ethacrynic Acid falls under DIURETIC DRUGS — the group Figwort interacts with.

Theoretically, overuse of figwort might compound diuretic-induced potassium loss. There is some concern that people taking figwort along with potassium depleting diuretics might have an increased risk for hypokalemia. Initiation of potassium supplementation or an increase in potassium supplement dose may be necessary for some patients. Some diuretics that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) is a strong loop diuretic, and one of its known effects is that it pulls potassium out of your body along with the extra fluid and salt. That can sometimes leave your potassium too low. The thinking here is that figwort may have a mild water-pill-like action of its own, so heavy or long-term use could, in theory, add to that potassium loss.

I'll be honest with you: this concern is based on how these things work on paper, not on real studies in people, so the actual risk is uncertain and probably small for most folks. Still, low potassium can cause muscle cramps, weakness, tiredness, or an irregular heartbeat, so it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing them, especially if your potassium runs low already.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Figwort Also Interacts With Other Medications

Figwort has 75 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Ethacrynic Acid one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 75 No known interaction 2,755 (incl. Ethacrynic Acid)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Figwort

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Figwort. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Figwort or Ethacrynic Acid

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Figwort or Ethacrynic Acid, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ethacrynic Acid

This page covers Figwort only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ethacrynic Acid page lists 201 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Lithium (major) and Oleander (major).

By severity: 7 major · 170 moderate · 24 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ethacrynic Acid page

“Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) is a potent loop diuretic, a water pill used to pull off serious fluid buildup, and its supplement list deserves genuine care, starting with the seven entries rated major. Most of the 201 interactions on file either stack with its blood-pressure-lowering effect, risking dizziness or faintness, or work against…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ethacrynic Acid interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Figwort as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 147 real supplement products containing Figwort, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Figwort. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Ethacrynic Acid too, on top of Figwort — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Figwort and Ethacrynic Acid Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Figwort
Top half

#503 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Ethacrynic Acid
Steady interest

#1,602 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Figwort

What is Figwort?

  • Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
  • Minor wounds and rashes
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Mild constipation
  • Traditional 'detox' or lymphatic support

Figwort is a traditional herb used mainly for skin problems and minor swelling, but solid human studies are lacking, so its benefits remain unproven. It is generally used short-term and topically, and people with heart conditions, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should avoid it until more is known.

Read the full Figwort monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Ethacrynic Acid

What Is Ethacrynic Acid Used For?

Brand name: Edecrin

Ethacrynic acid tablets (sold as Edecrin and Ethacrynic Acid) are used to treat edema — fluid buildup in the body — when stronger-than-usual diuretic action is needed. It is approved for edema related to congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease, including nephrotic syndrome.

It is also used for short-term management of fluid buildup from malignancy, idiopathic edema, and lymphedema, as well as short-term treatment of hospitalized children (not infants) with congenital heart disease or nephrotic syndrome.

See full Ethacrynic Acid drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Figwort

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Figwort — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
75Moderate
0Minor
2,754No known interaction
75 Moderate 2,754 No interaction
Moderate

75 interactions

Showing 60 of 75 moderate interactions — see all 75 on the Figwort page.

No interaction 2,754 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Figwort against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,754 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Figwort list.

See the full Figwort interactions page
See every supplement checked against Ethacrynic Acid, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Figwort monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Ethacrynic Acid supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Ethacrynic Acid, ranked by severity Ethacrynic Acid drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Figwort and Ethacrynic Acid Together: Common Questions

Can you take Figwort with Ethacrynic Acid?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Figwort and Ethacrynic Acid interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Ethacrynic Acid and Figwort?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.