Bumetanide

Bumetanide is a prescription medication used to treat fluid retention caused by several medical conditions including congestive heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease. Bumetanide belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics ("water pills") which help the body get rid of excess fluid by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood.

This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once daily, with or without food.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) or muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of bumetanide include headache, nausea, and low blood pressure. Bumetanide can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Bumetanide is a prescription medication used to treat fluid retention caused by heart, liver, or kidney disease.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Bumetanide may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Bumex

Oral/Injectable:

Common side effects include:

• muscle cramps
• dizziness
• low blood pressure
• headache
• nausea

This is not a complete list of bumetanide side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects can occur. See "Drug Precautions" section.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• other medications for high blood pressure
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin) or naproxen (Aleve) and salicylates
• corticosteroids such as prednisone, hydrocortisone (Cortef), and dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone, Hexadrol)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• digoxin

This is not a complete list of bumetanide drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Oral/Injectable:

Serious side effects can occur including:

• worsening of kidney disease
• worsening of gout
• hearing loss
• sulfa allergy
• extremely low blood pressure
• increased blood glucose levels
• electrolyte imbalance. This medication may affect electrolytes including sodium and potassium. Your doctor will check these levels using a blood test. Warning signs of electrolyte imbalance include:
  • dry mouth
  • thirst
  • weakness
  • lack of energy
  • drowsiness
  • restlessness
  • muscle pains or cramps
  • muscle fatigue
  • low blood pressure
  • decreased urination
  • fast heart rate
  • nausea and vomiting

Do not take bumetanide if you:

• are allergic to bumetanide or any other ingredient in bumetanide
• are not able to produce urine
• have severe kidney disease

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of bumetanide, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking bumetanide, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have liver disease
• have kidney disease
• have diabetes
• have gout
• have electrolyte imbalances
• are allergic to any medications
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Bumetanide falls into category C. In animals studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in humans with bumetanide, though. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if bumetanide crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using bumetanide.

Oral:

• Take bumetanide exactly as prescribed.
• This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once daily.
• Bumetanide can be taken with or without food.
• Because bumetanide increases urination, it is best taken in the morning to avoid having to get up in the night to urinate. If you take it more than once a day, take your last dose by late afternoon.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Injectable:

• This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) or muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Take bumetanide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The bumetanide dose your doctor recommends will be based on:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

The recommended total daily dosage of bumetanide is 0.5 mg to 10 mg, depending on the form of the drug.

If you take too much bumetanide call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store at room temperaure between 59° and 86°F (15° and 30°C).
• Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

WARNING

Bumetanide injection is a potent diuretic which, if given in excessive amounts, can lead to a profound diuresis with water and electrolyte depletion. Therefore, careful medical supervision is required, and dose and dosage schedule have to be adjusted to the individual patient’s needs.