Renal tubular acidosis: effects of etacrynic acid on renal acid and calcium excretion.

The fundamental disorder in renal tubular acidosis--the impaired excretions of hydrogen ions--can favourably be influenced by etacrynic acid (Hydromedin). Net acid and calcium excretion was measured in eight patients with incomplete RTA I and five controls before and during treatment with the diuretic: urinary pH was lowered and net acid excretion increased (p less than 0.05) with only slight rise in urinary calcium. Etacrynic acid appears to be particularly suitable for the long term treatment of patients with incomplete RTA I and calculous disease.