Bumetanide oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved bumetanide oral tablet to treat edema (fluid buildup in your body) related to:

• congestive heart failure
• kidney disease
• liver disease

This article describes bumetanide oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for bumetanide.

If you want to know more about bumetanide oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Bumetanide oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Bumex. Bumetanide also comes in an injectable form, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning: Risk of fluid loss

Bumetanide has a boxed warning for the risk of severe diuresis, which can cause dehydration and loss of electrolytes. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Dosage of bumetanide” section below. See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Form and strengths of bumetanide

Bumetanide oral tablet comes in the following form and strengths:

• Form: oral tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 0.5 milligrams (mg), 1 mg, 2 mg

Dosage of bumetanide

This article describes the recommended dosages for bumetanide oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of bumetanide oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of bumetanide in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of bumetanide oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of bumetanide oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

The table below shows the recommended dosage of bumetanide oral tablet for its approved purposes in adults. Doses are in milligrams (mg).

Depending on how you respond to your first dose, your doctor may recommend a second or third dose in intervals of 4–5 hours. The dosage of bumetanide oral tablets is individualized. But the maximum dosage is 10 mg per day.

Your doctor may recommend that you take bumetanide oral tablet on an intermittent dosing schedule. This means that you may take your dose every other day. Or you may take a dose for 3–4 days and then skip doses for 1–2 days.

Your doctor will advise the dosing schedule that’s right for you. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how often to take your doses.

Dosage adjustments for bumetanide

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of bumetanide oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• how you respond to your first dose

Missed dose of bumetanide

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of bumetanide oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of bumetanide oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to commonly asked questions about bumetanide oral tablet and its dosage.

Do older adults need to take a lower dose of bumetanide?

Possibly. The dosage of bumetanide oral tablet is individualized. Your doctor will consider several factors unique to you, such as your age and overall health when determining your dosage.

Older adults may process drugs more slowly. This can cause a higher level of the drug than normal in your body with a typical dose, which could increase your risk of side effects.

If you’re an older adult, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of bumetanide oral tablet than the norm.

Is bumetanide taken long term?

It depends. Doctors may prescribe bumetanide oral tablet as a short-term or long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, your doctor will prescribe it for a length of time that’s right for you.

If you have questions about how long you should take bumetanide oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take bumetanide to work?

Bumetanide starts working within 30–60 minutes after taking it. The effects of bumetanide may last up to six hours. If you have questions about whether the medication is working for you, talk with your doctor.

How bumetanide is taken

You’ll swallow bumetanide oral tablet once per day. You can take it with or without food.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you follow an intermittent dosing schedule. For details, see the “Dosage of bumetanide” section above. You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day, typically in the morning. Bumetanide oral tablet increases how much you urinate, which may cause you to have to get up more often during the night if it’s taken later in the day.

Taking your dose around the same time each day helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

Bumetanide oral tablets have a score line (groove) so they can be cut if needed. You can also crush or chew the tablet. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, read this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

You should not stop taking bumetanide oral tablet suddenly. Doing so can cause your edema (fluid buildup in your body) to worsen. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns during your treatment.

Bumetanide coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for bumetanide when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of bumetanide

It’s important that you do not take more bumetanide oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of bumetanide overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• dehydration
• severe fluid loss
• low levels of electrolytes
• reduced blood volume
• blood clots

What to do if you take too much bumetanide

If you think you’ve taken too much bumetanide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for bumetanide oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of bumetanide oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take bumetanide oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How often will my dosage of bumetanide oral tablet be adjusted?
• How do the dosages compare between bumetanide oral tablet and Bumex?
• Is there another medication that can be used to treat my condition? If so, how does the dosage compare to bumetanide oral tablet?

Boxed warning for bumetanide

Bumetanide has a boxed warning for the risk of severe diuresis, which can cause dehydration and loss of electrolytes. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bumetanide is a type of diuretic drug that removes water from your body. Bumetanide has a risk of severe loss of fluid and electrolytes. This risk increases with higher dosages. Your doctor will individualize your dosage of bumetanide oral tablet and monitor your electrolyte levels while you’re taking the drug.

For details, see the “Dosage of bumetanide” section above. You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.