Bumetanide (Bumex) is a strong diuretic (water pill) that works well at removing extra fluid from your body. It's primarily used to ease swelling for people with heart failure, liver problems, or kidney disease. Bumetanide (Bumex) is taken by mouth, typically once daily, though some people might need to take it every other day. Some side effects of this medication include muscle cramps, dizziness, and low electrolytes levels (e.g., low potassium levels, low sodium levels). Bumetanide (Bumex) is available as a brand name and generic tablet.
Swelling (edema) due to congestive heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems
Bumetanide (Bumex) is a loop diuretic (water pill) that makes you urinate more. It works in the kidneys to get rid of extra water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium), which helps ease swelling.
Source: DailyMed
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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Abdominal pain
blurred vision
confusion
decreased urine output
dizziness
drowsiness
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
convulsions (seizures)
deep or fast breathing with dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
hallucinations
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
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
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
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
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.
Works within an hour to get rid of extra fluid in your body
Typically taken once daily
A possible option for people who are allergic to furosemide (Lasix)
Raises your risk for dehydration
Might need regular blood tests to check electrolytes and kidney health
Makes you urinate more often right after taking it
Bumetanide (Bumex) usually makes you have to urinate more 30 to 60 minutes after taking the medication. This effect lasts 4 to 6 hours. Try to take bumetanide (Bumex) earlier in the day so that you don't have to get up to urinate in the middle of the night.
Bumetanide (Bumex) can cause lightheadedness and dizziness, especially during the first few days of therapy. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy, get up slowly from sitting or lying down. Avoid driving and doing tasks that require a lot of attention until you know how this medication affects you. If you feel like you're going to faint or pass out, let your provider know right away.
Your provider might ask that you to weigh yourself while you're taking bumetanide (Bumex). This can help them understand how well bumetanide (Bumex) is working to remove fluids from your body and whether or not they need to adjust your dose.
Since bumetanide (Bumex) gets rid of extra fluid from your body, sometimes this can lead to too much water and electrolytes, specifically potassium, in the blood being lost. Tell your provider right away if you feel weak, have muscle pain or cramps, dizziness, fast heartbeat, or vomiting. Your provider might ask you to take extra potassium if needed.
Please tell your provider right away if you experience vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Also, let them know if you haven't been drinking fluids as often as usual during treatment. These factors can lead to dehydration, which raises the risk of serious kidney problems.
Bumetanide (Bumex) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Age 65 or older | Taking higher doses of bumetanide (Bumex) | Liver disease like cirrhosis | Recent diarrhea | Not enough salt or electrolytes in your diet | Taking other diuretics (water pills) | History of certain irregular heart rhythms
Bumetanide (Bumex) is a very strong diuretic (water pill). Taking too much of it can lead to dehydration and low electrolyte levels, which can be life-threatening. Low potassium levels and low chloride levels are most common, but you can also have low sodium, calcium, and magnesium levels. It's important to take bumetanide (Bumex) exactly as prescribed. Your provider might order blood work to check your electrolyte levels from time to time. Ask your provider how much water you should drink daily to stay hydrated. Get medical attention if you notice dry mouth, thirst, weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, fast heart rate, or unusually low amounts of urine after taking bumetanide (Bumex).
Risk factors: Current kidney problems | Taking higher doses of bumetanide (Bumex) | Other medications that cause hearing problems
Bumetanide (Bumex) was shown to cause hearing loss at very high doses in some animal studies. Though possible, the likelihood of this side effect in people is low, especially at the recommended dosing range for oral tablets. The risk of hearing loss is higher for people who receive high doses of intravenous bumetanide (Bumex). Take bumetanide (Bumex) exactly as prescribed and make sure to have lab tests done regularly. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you notice any new problems with your hearing.
Risk factors: History of severe sulfa allergy
People with severe allergies to other sulfa-containing medications might experience similar reactions with bumetanide (Bumex). Make sure your healthcare provider and pharmacist know about all of your drug allergies, especially if they are severe. Stop taking bumetanide (Bumex) and call your provider if you notice a rash, hives, or other signs of an allergic reaction.
In some rare cases, people have had low platelet counts after taking bumetanide (Bumex). Your healthcare provider will watch for this on regular blood tests, but call your provider if you notice unusual or unexplained bleeding or bruises on your skin.
The usual dose of bumetanide (Bumex) is 0.5 mg to 2 mg taken by mouth once a day. Your provider will adjust your dose as needed to keep your swelling under control. Depending on your condition, your provider might ask you to take bumetanide (Bumex) every other day or every 2 days. The maximum dose is 10 mg a day.
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.
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.
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.
Not making any urine
Extremely low electrolyte levels
Swelling (edema) due to congestive heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems
Swelling (edema) due to heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems
Swelling due to heart failure or kidney disease
Swelling due to liver disease (taken with other medications) - generic bumetanide (Bumex) only
High blood pressure - generic bumetanide (Bumex) only
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National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2011). Hepatic encephalopathy.
Ng, T. M. H., et al. (2013). Comparison of bumetanide- and metolazone-based diuretic regimens to furosemide in acute heart failure. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Shisler, D., et al. (2014). Syndrome of severe pain associated with a continuous bumetanide infusion. International Journal of Cardiology.
Testani, J. M., et al. (2014). Loop diuretic efficiency: A metric of diuretic responsiveness with prognostic importance in acute decompensated heart failure. Circulation: Heart Failure.
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC. (2023). BUMETANIDE tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
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