Generic name: bumetanide [ bue-MET-a-nide ]
Brand name: Bumex
Drug class: Loop diuretics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 11, 2023.

Uses for bumetanide

Bumetanide belongs to a group of medicines called loop diuretics or "water pills." Bumetanide is given to help treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling that is caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions. It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine .

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before using bumetanide

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of bumetanide injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of bumetanide injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney or heart problems, which may require an adjustment of dosage in patients receiving bumetanide injection .

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Desmopressin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Albuterol
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Aspirin
• Bepridil
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Buprenorphine
• Celecoxib
• Choline Salicylate
• Clonixin
• Codeine
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Digitoxin
• Dipyrone
• Dofetilide
• Droperidol
• Droxicam
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Formoterol
• Foscarnet
• Ibuprofen
• Indomethacin
• Ketanserin
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Levomethadyl
• Lithium
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Methotrexate
• Metolazone
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piroxicam
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sotalol
• Sulindac
• Tapentadol
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Valdecoxib

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Benazepril
• Captopril
• Cilazapril
• Dibekacin
• Enalapril
• Enalaprilat
• Fosinopril
• Germanium
• Ginseng
• Gossypol
• Kanamycin
• Licorice
• Lisinopril
• Moexipril
• Neomycin
• Perindopril
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Spirapril
• Streptomycin
• Trandolapril
• Zofenopril

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anuria (not able to form urine) or
• Liver disease, severe (e.g., hepatic coma)—Should not use in patients with these conditions .

• Dehydration or
• Gout or
• Hearing problems or
• Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood) or
• Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood) or
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or
• Hypovolemia (low blood volume) or
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelets in the blood)—Use with caution. This medicine may make these conditions worse .

• Diabetes—This medicine may increase the amount of sugar in the blood .

• Kidney disease, severe—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body .

Proper use of bumetanide

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins .

Related/similar drugs

furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, Lasix, torsemide, chlorthalidone, bumetanide, Bumex, triamterene, ethacrynic acid

Precautions while using bumetanide

Your doctor will only give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to another medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor .

Side Effects of bumetanide

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Abdominal pain
• blurred vision
• confusion
• decreased urine output
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• headache
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• irritability
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• loss of appetite
• loss of mental alertness
• lower back, side, or stomach pain
• mood or mental changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• swelling of face, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• troubled breathing
• unexplained weight loss
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weak pulse

Rare

• Agitation
• back pain
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• chest pain
• convulsions (seizures)
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• fever
• hallucinations
• hives
• increase in heart rate
• increased blood pressure
• numbness of feet, hands, and around the mouth
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rapid breathing
• stiff neck
• sunken eyes
• trembling, jerking of hands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• weight gain
• wrinkled skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Difficulty breathing
• pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
• severe, sudden headache
• slurred speech
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
• sudden, unexplained shortness of breath
• tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over affected area
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
• vision changes

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

• Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• diarrhea
• difficulty with moving
• ear discomfort
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• inability to have or keep an erection
• itching skin
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• muscle or bone pain
• muscle stiffness
• nipple tenderness
• pain, swelling, or redness in joints
• rash
• sensation of spinning
• shorter than usual time to ejaculation of semen
• trouble with hearing
• upset stomach

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Bumex

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Diuretic, Loop

Frequently asked questions

• What are the equivalent dosages of bumetanide, furosemide & torsemide?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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