Pronunciation: bue-MET-a-nide
Generic Name: Bumetanide
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.
This is a strong "water pill" (diuretic). Using too much of Bumex can lead to serious water and mineral loss. Therefore, it is important that you be monitored by your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you become very thirsty, have a dry mouth, become confused, or develop muscle cramps/weakness.
Bumex is used for:
Treating swelling caused by excess body water associated with heart failure or kidney or liver disease. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Bumex is a loop diuretic. It works by forcing the kidney to eliminate sodium, potassium, and water.
Do NOT use Bumex if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Bumex
- you have no urine formation
- you have kidney disease and a significant decrease in urine formation to less than 16 oz/day (500 mL/day)
- you have severe depletion of blood electrolytes (minerals in the blood [eg, sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, bicarbonate])
- you have brain and nervous system problems caused by severe liver disease
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Bumex:
Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have excess fluid in or around your abdomen, hearing problems, high blood levels of nitrogen, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, low urine output, or high levels or uric acid
- if you are dehydrated or have had a heart attack
- if you have had a severe allergic reaction to sulfamethoxazole (a sulfa antibiotic) or any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, acetazolamide, celecoxib, hydrochlorothiazide, glyburide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, zonisamide)
- if you have a skin rash or have ever developed a severe skin rash from taking another medicine
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bumex. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines.
- Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin) because the risk of hearing loss may be increased
- Ibuprofen, probenecid, or indomethacin because they may decrease Bumex's effectiveness
- Chloral hydrate, digitalis glycosides, or lithium because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Bumex
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Bumex may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Bumex:
Use Bumex as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Bumex by mouth with or without food.
- Bumex may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm.
- If you miss a dose of Bumex, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Bumex.
Important safety information:
- Bumex may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Bumex with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Bumex may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Bumex may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Bumex. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Your doctor may have also prescribed a potassium supplement for you. If so, follow the dosing carefully. Do not start taking additional potassium on your own or change your diet to include more potassium without first checking with your doctor.
- Diabetes patients - Bumex may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Lab tests, including kidney function, serum urea nitrogen (BUN), and electrolyte levels, may be performed while you use Bumex. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Bumex with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood pressure.
- Bumex should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Bumex while you are pregnant. It is not known if Bumex is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Bumex.
Possible side effects of Bumex:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness or lightheadedness when sitting up or standing; drowsiness; headache; low blood pressure.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; diarrhea; excessive urination; extreme thirst or dry mouth; hearing loss; kidney failure; loss of appetite; muscle pain or cramps; nausea; rapid or irregular heartbeat; red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; restlessness; ringing in the ears; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Bumex side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; dizziness; dry mouth; excessive urination followed by a decrease in amount of urine; loss of appetite; muscle cramps; stomach cramps; weak or irregular heartbeat; weakness.
Proper storage of Bumex:
Store Bumex at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Bumex out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Bumex, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Bumex is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Bumex. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Bumex resources
- Bumex Side Effects (in more detail)
- Bumex Dosage
- Bumex Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Bumex Drug Interactions
- Bumex Support Group
- 1 Review for Bumex - Add your own review/rating
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