Like all medicines, bumetanide can cause side effects although not everyone gets them. Side effects often get better as your body gets used to the medicine.
Common side effects
These common side effects of bumetanide happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Peeing more than normal
This will last for about 6 hours after taking bumetanide. It's nothing to worry about, but if it's a problem for you, change the time you take bumetanide to one that suits you better (provided it's no later than 4pm). If peeing a lot is still a problem for you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Feeling thirsty
It's important not to get dehydrated, but how much you drink will depend on why you're taking bumetanide. Check with your doctor how much water you can drink while you're taking this medicine.
Dry mouth
Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink fluids. Ask your doctor how much you can drink while taking this medicine. Try not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
Feeling confused or dizzy
If bumetanide makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery while you're feeling dizzy.
Muscle cramps or weak muscles
If you get unusual muscle pain or weakness, that is not from exercise or physical work, talk to your doctor. You may need a blood test to check what might be causing it.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or lasts more than a few days.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare.
Call your doctor or call 111 now if you have:
- unexplained bruising or bleeding, a high temperature, sore throat and mouth ulcers – these could be signs of a blood disorder
- ringing in your ears (tinnitus) or loss of hearing
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to bumetanide.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Long-term side effects
Bumetanide is safe to take for a long time, but you will have to see your doctor or nurse every so often for blood and urine tests. These are done to check that the chemicals in your blood are properly balanced.
How often you need these tests will depend on the reason why you're taking bumetanide, if your dose has changed recently, or if you have any other health problems.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of bumetanide. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.