Bumetanide

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD  
Updated on July 25, 2023

Bumetanide (bue MET a nide) is a generic medication prescribed for edema (swelling due to fluid buildup). Bumetanide belongs to a group of drugs called loop diuretics. Diuretics are commonly called “water pills.”

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved bumetanide for use in adults to treat edema due to:

• congestive heart failure
• liver disease
• kidney disease

Boxed warning: Risk of fluid loss

Bumetanide has a boxed warning about the risk of fluid loss. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bumetanide is a diuretic drug that helps your body get rid of excess fluid. It works by increasing how much you urinate. In some cases, bumetanide treatment can cause too much fluid loss. This may lead to dehydration (low fluid level) and imbalances in electrolytes (minerals).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for bumetanide” section.

Side effects of bumetanide

Bumetanide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of bumetanide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about bumetanide’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for bumetanide listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with bumetanide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of bumetanide you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about bumetanide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for bumetanide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of bumetanide oral tablet and bumetanide injection* include:

• muscle cramps
• dizziness
• low blood pressure
• nausea
• mild allergic reaction*

* Bumetanide can be given by a healthcare professional as an injection into a vein or a muscle.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for bumetanide” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of bumetanide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of bumetanide you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about bumetanide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for bumetanide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, bumetanide’s serious side effects include:

• low level of potassium in the blood
• hearing problems
• boxed warning: risk of fluid loss*
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for bumetanide” section.

Common questions about bumetanide

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about bumetanide.

Is bumetanide similar to furosemide?

Yes. Bumetanide and furosemide (Lasix) belong to the same group of drugs called loop diuretics. Diuretics are commonly called “water pills.” They help your body get rid of excess fluid.

Bumetanide and furosemide are both used to treat edema (swelling due to fluid buildup) caused by various health conditions in adults. In addition, furosemide is prescribed to treat high blood pressure.

It takes different dosages of bumetanide and furosemide to produce a similar effect. Studies have shown that it takes a 1-milligram (mg) dose of bumetanide to equal the diuretic effect of a 40-mg dose of furosemide.

Your doctor will help determine which diuretic may be right for you. Be sure to take the dosage they prescribe. If you have questions about how one drug compares with another, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does bumetanide work? And how long does it take to start working?

Bumetanide works in a specific part of your kidneys. Its mechanism of action (how it works) is to help your body get rid of excess sodium (salt) and water. It does this by increasing the amount of urine your body makes. This helps to reduce edema.

Bumetanide oral tablet starts working within 30–60 minutes. It reaches its maximum effects within 1–2 hours.

Bumetanide injection* starts working within a few minutes. It reaches its maximum effects within 15–30 minutes.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Bumetanide can be given by a healthcare professional as an injection into a vein or a muscle.

What brand names are available for bumetanide?

The brand-name drug Bumex contains the active ingredient bumetanide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Bumex comes as an oral tablet.

Bumetanide is a generic drug. (A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.) It comes as an oral tablet and as an injection that’s given by a healthcare professional.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Bumex and how it compares with generic bumetanide.

Uses of bumetanide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as bumetanide for certain conditions. The approved use for bumetanide is described below.

Use for edema

Doctors may prescribe bumetanide oral tablet or bumetanide injection* for treating edema (swelling due to fluid buildup) due to certain medical conditions. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With edema, fluid builds up and causes swelling in your legs, arms, feet, or anywhere in your body. Bumetanide is prescribed to reduce edema related to the following conditions:

• congestive heart failure
• liver disease
• kidney disease

The drug helps to get rid of excess fluid by causing your body to make more urine.

* Bumetanide can be given by a healthcare professional as an injection into a vein or a muscle.

Interactions and warnings for bumetanide

Below, you’ll find information about bumetanide’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of bumetanide

Certain factors may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take bumetanide, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for bumetanide” section below.

Warnings for bumetanide

Some people should not take bumetanide and others should use it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of fluid loss

Bumetanide has a boxed warning about the risk of fluid loss. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bumetanide helps your body get rid of excess fluid. It works by increasing how much urine your body produces. In some cases, bumetanide treatment can cause too much fluid loss.

With too much fluid loss, your body experiences dehydration (low fluid level). This can also lead to imbalances in electrolytes (minerals). These side effects were rarely reported in studies of bumetanide.

Symptoms of excess fluid loss may include dry mouth, thirst, dark urine, and fatigue (low energy). Symptoms of electrolyte imbalances may include weakness, dizziness, muscle cramps, and irregular heart rate.

To help lessen the risk of fluid loss, your doctor will adjust your dosage often until they find the amount that meets your needs.

If you have concerns about your risk of fluid loss, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend drinking a minimum amount of fluid each day to help prevent dehydration. They’ll also use blood tests to monitor your electrolyte levels for as long as you’re taking bumetanide.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other warnings

Bumetanide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether bumetanide is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of bumetanide you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for bumetanide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Bumetanide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to bumetanide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe bumetanide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to bumetanide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of bumetanide

If you take bumetanide by mouth,you should not take more bumetanide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and bumetanide

Information about bumetanide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Bumetanide and pregnancy

It’s not known whether bumetanide should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Bumetanide and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether bumetanide should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know whether you have questions about bumetanide or would like more details about it.

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

• How does bumetanide compare with other diuretic drugs?
• Should I continue taking my other medications along with bumetanide?
• How much water should I drink each day while taking bumetanide?
• Will I need to take a potassium supplement during bumetanide treatment?

Resources

• Bumetanide – bumetanide injection. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/680563fe-5d3a-49bc-86a5-740bda2acebe/spl-doc
• Bumetanide – bumetanide tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0fb6d547-9966-4352-8974-d02ea58e6445/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.