Loop Diuretics List: Differences, Savings, and More
Loop diuretics can treat hypertension and other conditions. Here’s a list of 4 loop diuretics and their differences.
bumetanide
Used for Edema, Heart Failure
Used for Edema, Heart Failure
Bumetanide (Bumex) is a type of diuretic or water pill. It helps ease fluid buildup (or edema) in adults with heart failure, liver problems like cirrhosis, and kidney problems. Bumetanide (Bumex) comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth, usually once a day. Your prescriber can adjust your dosage based on how well the medication is working for you. Side effects can include low electrolyte levels and and dizziness. Because of the way the medication works, it can also make you urinate more. Bumetanide (Bumex) has both a brand-name and generic version.
What is Bumetanide (Bumex)?
What is Bumetanide (Bumex) used for?
- Swelling from fluid buildup (edema) due to heart failure, liver problems (e.g., cirrhosis), or kidney problems
How Bumetanide (Bumex) works
Bumetanide (Bumex) is a type of water pill called a loop diuretic. It works in the kidneys to get rid of extra water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) in the body. It makes you urinate them out. This helps reduce swelling in the body from fluid buildup.
When does Bumetanide (Bumex) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Bumex |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Diuretic (water pill) |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Bumetanide (Bumex)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- High uric acid levels (18%)
- Low potassium levels (15%)
- Low chloride levels (15%)
- Low sodium levels (9%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps
- Low blood pressure
- High blood sugar levels
Bumetanide (Bumex) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe dehydration: feeling thirsty, lightheadedness, dry mouth, dark-colored urine, urinating less
- Low electrolyte levels: muscle weakness, muscle cramps or spasms, tiredness, dizziness, tingling or numbness, nausea, constipation, heart racing
- Severe skin reaction: skin pain, red rash, peeling skin, blisters, sores, fever, body aches
When do Bumetanide (Bumex) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Dizziness
Muscle cramps
Changes in electrolyte levels
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Bumetanide (Bumex) side effects
The following Bumetanide (Bumex) side effects have also been reported
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$55.35
GoodRx discount
$16.19
Pros and cons of Bumetanide (Bumex)
Pros
- Usually taken once a day
- Starts to work within an hour of taking
Cons
- Makes you urinate more often, which can raise your risk of dehydration
- Might need regular blood tests to check your electrolyte levels for safety
Pharmacist tips for Bumetanide (Bumex)
- Bumetanide (Bumex) usually makes you have to urinate more. This usually starts to happen 30 to 60 minutes after you take the medication and can last up to 6 hours. Try to take bumetanide (Bumex) earlier in the day so you don't have to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
- Bumetanide (Bumex) can sometimes make you lightheaded or dizzy. This usually happens in the first few days of starting treatment and taking a higher dose. To prevent feeling dizzy and possibly falling, get up slowly after sitting or lying down. If this side effect gets worse or doesn't get better, let your prescriber know right away.
- Watch for changes in your swelling while taking bumetanide (Bumex). Your prescriber might also ask you to weigh yourself. This helps them see how well the medication is removing extra fluid from your body (which shows up as swelling or "water weight"). Based on your progress, your prescriber can adjust your dose.
- Tell your care team if you feel weak or have muscle pain or cramps, nausea, or a fast heartbeat. These can be signs of low electrolyte levels, which is possible with bumetanide (Bumex). In particular, this medication can cause low potassium levels. Ask your prescriber if you need to take extra potassium to help with this side effect.
- Get medical help right away if you feel exhausted, have dry skin, are very thirsty, have dark urine, or aren't urinating much. These can be signs of severe dehydration from bumetanide (Bumex). It can sometimes cause serious problems, so it's important to get this treated quickly.
Risks and warnings for Bumetanide (Bumex)
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.
Dehydration and low electrolyte levels
- Risk factors: Taking higher doses of bumetanide (Bumex) | Taking bumetanide (Bumex) too often | Liver problems like cirrhosis | Too much aldosterone in the body | Problems causing diarrhea | Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) | Taking other diuretics (water pills) | On a low-salt diet
Bumetanide (Bumex) is a diuretic that works by making you urinate. This can lower the amount of fluid in your body and cause changes to your electrolyte levels. The most common changes are low potassium and low chloride. But you can also have low sodium, calcium, and magnesium.
It's important to take bumetanide (Bumex) exactly as prescribed. Taking too high of a dose or taking it too often can lead to severe dehydration, very low electrolyte levels, and other serious complications. This can sometimes be life-threatening.
To keep you safe, your prescriber might order blood work to check your electrolyte levels from time to time. Ask your prescriber how much water you should drink every day to stay hydrated.
Call your care team if you have dry mouth, muscle cramps, or a fast heart rate while taking bumetanide (Bumex). Also reach out if you feel very thirsty or weak or notice that you're not urinating as much as usual. These could be signs of dehydration or problems with your electrolyte levels. Your care team can check what's going on and help you feel better.
Hearing problems
- Risk factors: Kidney problems | Taking a high dose of bumetanide (Bumex) when injected through the vein | Taking other medications that cause hearing problems
Loop diuretics like bumetanide (Bumex) have a risk of hearing loss. The risk is usually low, especially when you take bumetanide (Bumex) at the recommended dose for the tablets. If hearing loss happens, it's usually temporary and it goes away. Although rare, there's a risk that it could become permanent in some people, like those with kidney problems.
Take bumetanide (Bumex) exactly as prescribed. Let your healthcare team know right away if you notice any new changes in your hearing.
Risk of allergic reaction in people with a sulfa allergy
People with a severe sulfa allergy might have an allergic reaction to bumetanide (Bumex). This is because bumetanide (Bumex) has a sulfa component in its chemical structure.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all your medication allergies, especially severe ones. Stop taking bumetanide (Bumex) and get medical help right away if you notice hives, swelling in your face, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Low platelet count
In rare cases, people have had low platelet counts after taking bumetanide (Bumex). Your prescriber might watch for this by having you get blood tests done every so often. Be sure to look out for easy or unusual bleeding or bruising. If this happens, call your care team. These can be signs of a low platelet count.
Bumetanide (Bumex) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 1mg of Bumetanide (Bumex) is $16.19 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 70.75% off the average retail price of $55.35. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5mg | 90 tablets | $28.86 | $0.32 |
| 1mg | 30 tablets | $16.19 | $0.54 |
| 2mg | 60 tablets | $24.67 | $0.41 |
Typical dosage for Bumetanide (Bumex)
The typical dose is 0.5 mg to 2 mg taken by mouth once a day. Your prescriber will adjust your dose or how often you take it based on how well it's working for you. The maximum dose is 10 mg a day.
There's also an injection form of bumetanide that's used for people in the hospital. It's given by a healthcare professional.
Interactions between Bumetanide (Bumex) and other drugs
Bumetanide (Bumex) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Bumetanide (Bumex). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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 taking 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.
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
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Aspirin
- Bepridil
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Digitoxin
- Dipyrone
- Dofetilide
- Droperidol
- Droxicam
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Foscarnet
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketanserin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Levomethadyl
- Lithium
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- 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
- 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.
- Alacepril
- Benazepril
- Captopril
- Cilazapril
- Delapril
- Dibekacin
- Enalapril
- Enalaprilat
- Fosinopril
- Germanium
- Ginseng
- Gossypol
- Imidapril
- Kanamycin
- Licorice
- Lisinopril
- Moexipril
- Neomycin
- Pentopril
- Perindopril
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Spirapril
- Streptomycin
- Temocapril
- Trandolapril
- Zofenopril
How much does Bumetanide (Bumex) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Bumetanide (Bumex) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Bumetanide (Bumex) will not be safe for you to take.
- Can't urinate (or not making any urine)
- Confusion or loss of brain function due to liver problems (hepatic coma)
- Extremely low electrolyte levels
What are alternatives to Bumetanide (Bumex)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Bumetanide (Bumex). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Bumetanide (Bumex)
7 Bumex Side Effects to Know About
Read on to learn the side effects of Bumex (bumetanide), including common, rare and long-term side effects, and how to manage them.
Loop Diuretics’ Mechanism of Action: How Do These Water Pills Work?
Loop diuretics treat hypertension and edema from heart failure or kidney disease. Learn about loop diuretics’ mechanism of action for fluid overload conditions.
10 Medications That May Increase Your Risk of Osteoporosis
As we age, the strength and density of our bones weaken, which may lead to easily broken bones. Osteoporosis, the diagnosis doctors give to patients with
Can You Take Metformin While You’re Pregnant?
Metformin is well-tolerated during pregnancy and is unlikely to harm a fetus, but there may be risks. Here’s what research says about metformin use in pregnancy.
10 Medication Side Effects That Can Affect Your Mouth
Have you started taking a new medication and noticed something different about your mouth? Some medications can cause a range of mouth-related side effects, like dry tongue and burning mouth syndrome. Here are 10 common issues and medications that may cause them.
What Is Aortic Valve Stenosis?
Aortic valve stenosis occurs when one of the heart valves gets stiff or narrow, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Learn about the symptoms and treatment of aortic stenosis here.
Bumetanide (Bumex) images
