Bumetanide

What bumetanide is for

Bumetanide is a type of medicine called a diuretic.

Diuretics are sometimes called "water tablets" because they make you pee more. This helps get rid of extra fluid in your body.

Bumetanide is used to treat oedema. This is where there's a build-up of fluid in your body, often in your hands, arms, feet or legs.

You might be offered bumetanide if you have oedema due to a condition that affects your heart, kidneys or liver, such as:

• heart failure
• chronic kidney disease
• severe liver damage (cirrhosis)

How to take bumetanide

Bumetanide comes as tablets or a liquid that you swallow.

How much you need to take depends on why you're taking it.

Your doctor may prescribe a low dose to start with and increase it after a week or more. This reduces the chances of side effects.

You usually take it once a day at first, but if your doctor decides to increase your dose then you may need to take it twice a day – usually 1 dose in the morning and 1 dose in the late afternoon.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

You may need to take bumetanide for a long time if your swelling is due to a long-term condition like heart failure. If you need to take bumetanide for a long time, you'll be offered regular blood tests to check your health.

When taking bumetanide:

• try to take it at the same time each day – ideally every morning if you take it once a day, or at the same time every morning and afternoon if you take it twice a day
• you can take it with or without food
• swallow tablets and capsules with water

Taking bumetanide should make you feel like you need to pee urgently, so it's helpful to be near a toilet before taking it.

If you get ill with vomiting, diarrhoea or a high temperature (fever) when taking bumetanide, there's a risk you'll get dehydrated.

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor for advice or follow the advice they've already given you.

If you miss a dose of bumetanide

If you forget to take a dose of bumetanide, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.

If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much bumetanide

Taking an extra dose of bumetanide can be dangerous.

Side effects of bumetanide

Like all medicines, bumetanide can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Some side effects should ease after a couple of weeks as your body gets used to the medicine, but others can last longer.

Common side effects

Common side effects of bumetanide include:

• feeling very thirsty and tired, with a dry mouth and lips (these are signs of dehydration)
• headaches
• low blood pressure, which can make you feel dizzy, especially when standing up
• feeling sick (nausea)
• itchy skin
• muscle pain and cramps
• tiredness and drowsiness

If you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking bumetanide, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.

Serious side effects

Bumetanide can sometimes cause serious side effects, but most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of bumetanide include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing
• becoming very dehydrated, which can lead to symptoms like not passing any pee, sunken eyes and mental confusion
• a ringing or whooshing sound in your ears (tinnitus), or loss of hearing
• pain in your lower back or side, feeling sick, high temperature and problems with your pee (like peeing less than normal or noticing blood in your pee) – these could be signs of kidney problems

Who can and cannot take bumetanide

Most adults and children can take bumetanide.

Bumetanide is not suitable for some people. For example, it may not be suitable if:

• you've had an allergic reaction or serious side effect from bumetanide or another type of diuretic
• you have been told you have low levels of salt or potassium in your body
• you have low blood pressure
• you have diabetes
• you have gout

Before taking bumetanide, tell your doctor or a pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and bumetanide

Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding. Bumetanide is not usually used if you're breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and bumetanide

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Bumetanide is not usually used in pregnancy because not enough is known about its safety. But a doctor may recommend it if the benefits outweigh the risks.

If you need to take bumetanide while you're pregnant, your doctor will prescribe the lowest possible effective dose.

Find out more about taking diuretics such as bumetanide during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicine in Pregnancy) website

Taking bumetanide with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with bumetanide.

This includes:

• lithium – used to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder
• NSAIDs such ibuprofen and diclofenac
• digoxin – used to treat heart problems
• some antibiotics used to treat serious infection, such as cephaloridine and gentamicin
• some medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as amphotericin
• some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors

Before taking bumetanide, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with bumetanide

You can eat as normal while taking bumetanide.

It's best not to drink alcohol because it can make side effects like dizziness, light-headedness and dehydration worse.