bumetanide
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.
Drug facts
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
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.
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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.
Common questions about Bumetanide (Bumex)
It usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes for bumetanide (Bumex) to start working after you take it. This means you might feel the urge to use to the bathroom around then. It's a good idea to have a bathroom nearby so you can get to it fast when you need to go. But it might take some more time to notice any swelling from the fluid buildup to start to go down. Ask your prescriber to learn more about how long it takes for bumetanide (Bumex) to work.
Bumetanide (Bumex) can sometimes cause dizziness and low blood pressure. Older adults can be more sensitive to these effects and be at risk of having a fall. Your prescriber might recommend that you regularly check your blood pressure at home. Let them know if it stays lower than usual, if you get too dizzy, or if you have a fall. Bumetanide (Bumex) can also have a risk of dehydration. Signs of dehydration in older adults include weakness, confusion, thirst, dry lips, dry mouth, and darker urine. Be sure to drink enough water throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about these side effects.
No, bumetanide (Bumex) isn't a type of diuretic that's potassium sparing. Instead, it can lower your potassium levels. This is because it works by making your kidneys get rid of extra fluid and electrolytes like potassium. Your prescriber might order blood work during treatment to check your potassium levels. Tell your care team if you have symptoms of low potassium. Look out for muscle cramps, weakness, tingling, or numbness.
Maybe. It depends on how your potassium levels change while you're taking bumetanide (Bumex). This medication can lower your potassium levels. If they get too low, your prescriber might have you take a potassium supplement to help keep your levels up. Talk to your prescriber to see if you need one while taking this medication. If so, they'll be very clear on how much and how often you should take the supplement.
Although rare, diuretics (water pills) like bumetanide (Bumex) can sometimes be hard on the kidneys. They can lower blood flow to the kidneys, which can affect how well the kidneys remove waste from your body. Your prescriber can order blood tests to check your kidney health. If there are signs of kidney damage, your prescriber will decide what steps to take. Be sure to stay hydrated to help protect your kidneys while taking this medication. Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about how bumetanide (Bumex) might affect your kidneys.
In general, bumetanide (Bumex) doesn't cut down body fat. But it does help get rid of extra fluid that can build up in the body because of your condition. This means that the medication could potentially lessen "water weight." Note that in studies, people didn't report losing weight while taking this medication. Tell your prescriber if you notice any unexpected changes in your weight while taking bumetanide (Bumex).
Yes, bumetanide (Bumex) can interact with some medications. For example, probenecid can affect how well bumetanide (Bumex) works. And, bumetanide (Bumex) can make lithium stay in your body longer, raising the risk of side effects. Tell your healthcare team about all the medications you take and any new ones you plan to take. They can make sure your medications are safe to take together and adjust them if needed.
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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
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5mg | 90 tablets | $22.53 | $0.25 |
| 1mg | 30 tablets | $13.60 | $0.45 |
| 2mg | 90 tablets | $27.66 | $0.31 |
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
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?
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)?
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