A drug called bumetanide is used to treat edema and high blood pressure. It is marketed under the trade names Bumex and other names. It is used to treat edema brought on by liver failure, renal issues, or heart failure. Even if other medications are not working for swelling, it might be helpful. It is not the better-recommended course of action for high blood pressure. It can be consumed orally or injected directly into a vein or muscle. In general, effects start within an hour and last roughly six hours.
Dizziness, low blood pressure, low potassium, muscle cramps, and kidney issues are typical side effects; low blood platelets and hearing loss are two other potentially harmful side effects. For patients on treatment, routine blood tests are recommended. Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is uncertain. As a loop diuretic, bumetanide works by reducing the kidneys’ ability to reabsorb sodium.
Important info about Bumex:
Bumetanide shouldn’t be used if you have: an allergy to it or have;
- Extreme dehydration
- An electrolyte imbalance
- Serious liver disease or cirrhosis
- Severe kidney disease or the inability to pee (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
Inform your physician if you’ve ever had:
- Gout
- An allergy to sulfa medication
- A cardiac rhythm disorders
- Liver illness
- Kidney disease (if you are on dialysis)
- A low-salt diet
Inform your doctor if you are expecting or nursing a baby.
Anyone under the age of 18 is not allowed to use bumetanide.
Dosage form of bumetanide:
- Injectable solution (0.25mg/ml)
- Tablet (0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg)
There may not be all potential doses and forms listed here. Your dosage, form, and how to use this medicine will depend on:
- Your age
- The illness being treated
- The severity of the illness
- Any additional diseases you may have
- How you respond to the initial dose
Medical uses of bumetanide:
High blood pressure and edema are both treated with bumetanide. It includes edema from liver failure, renal issues, or heart failure. It is not the best-recommended course of action for high blood pressure. It can be consumed orally or injected directly into a vein or muscle.
Other uses:
According to ESPN, four NFL players were suspended in 2008 because they had taken bumetanide, which was against the league’s steroid rules. It is sometimes used as a diuretic to aid in weight loss since it eliminates water from the body. Still, it also serves as a cover for other drugs, such as steroids, by dilating the user’s urine contents and lowering the concentration of filtered compounds, which makes them harder to detect.
The over-the-counter weight-loss pill StarCaps had bumetanide as an unreported active component; nonetheless, the US Food and Drug Administration found it and ordered its removal from the market.
Mechanism of action:
The mechanism of action of the loop diuretic bumetanide is to lessen the kidneys’ capacity to retain salt. Their potency and bioavailability are the primary distinctions between bumetanide and furosemide. There are significant inter- and intra-individual variations in bioavailability (range 10-90%), with intestinal absorption of furosemide accounting for roughly 60% of total absorption. Bumetanide absorbs about 80% of its total dose, and taking it with food does not affect this absorption.
The term “more predictable diuretic” refers to a diuretic whose impact is more likely to be predicted given its predictable absorption. Compared to furosemide, bumetanide is 40 times more potent in healthy individuals.
How to use the Bumex tablet?
As prescribed by your doctor or health care provider, take this medication by mouth once or twice daily. It is advised to avoid or stop taking this medication within 4 hours of bedtime.
Your medical condition and treatment response will determine your dosage. Older persons typically start with a lower dose to reduce the potential for adverse effects. Please don’t take it more frequently or at a higher amount than recommended.
To reap the most significant benefits from this medication, take it frequently. Please take it as advised at the same time(s) every day; that will help you remember to take it. You should take this medication continuously even if you feel OK. Most persons with high blood pressure don’t experience any health issues.
Inform your doctor if your problem doesn’t get better or if it gets worse. If taking this medicine lowers your blood pressure, let your doctor know if the readings stay high or go up.
Side effects of bumetanide:
Typical side effects of bumetanide are the following;
- Low blood pressure
- Low potassium level
- Dizziness
- Kidney issues
- Muscle cramps
- Low blood platelet
- Hearing loss
- Cause dehydration
- Blistering
- Fever
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Irregular heartbeats
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Thought and memory problem
- Twitching
- Unusual weakness
- Seizers
- Easy bruising
- Purple and red spots on the skin
According to a large observational study, people allergic to sulfonamide antibiotics may also be allergic to sulfonamide non-antibiotics like bumetanide. But this is more likely due to some people having a higher risk of allergic reactions than it is to cross-reactivity between sulfonamide-containing medications. More minor investigations have shown no interaction between sulfonamide antibiotics and sulfonamide non-antibiotics.
Remember that your doctor recommended this medication because they believe it will benefit you more than harm. Many users of this medicine report no significant adverse effects.
Numbness, tingling, discomfort, redness, or swelling of the arms or legs; changes in hearing (ringing in the ears, temporary or permanent impaired hearing/deafness); easy bruising/bleeding; or indications of kidney issues should all be reported to your doctor instantly once (change in the amount of urine).
When to see the doctor:
Seek immediate medical attention when you have the following symptoms;
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Headache
- Low blood pressure
Drugs interaction:
Drug interactions could alter your medication’s function or raise the possibility of significant adverse side effects. Please record your prescription drugs, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements, and give them to your doctor and pharmacist. Never begin taking a medication, stop using it, or adjust the dosage without your doctor’s permission. Products that interact with bumetanide are;
- Indomethacin
- Desmopressin
- Lithium
- Probenecid
- Antihypertensive drugs
- Digoxin
- Anticoagulants
Some products contain substances that can make you swell more or cause your blood pressure to rise. Inquire about safe usage techniques for all the products you use, notably NSAIDs like ibuprofen/naproxen, diet supplements, and cough-and-cold remedies, when you talk to your pharmacist about them.
Storage of bumetanide medicine:
Keep the bumetanide in a hidden, dry, and dark place, away from light and moisture. Store away from bathrooms. Keep the animals and children away from medicine.
Unless specifically instructed, avoid flushing or pouring drugs down the drain. When the product has run its course or is no longer required, dispose of it properly. Speak with your pharmacy or the neighborhood garbage removal service.
Precautions:
If you have allergies, including to bumetanide or other medications, let your doctor or pharmacist know before using bumetanide. This product can include inactive components that could lead to allergic reactions or other issues. For more information, consult your pharmacist.
Inform or tell your doctor or pharmacist about your current medical conditions before taking this drug, particularly any kidney, liver, inability to produce urine, or gout problems.
Bumetanide may have an impact on your blood sugar if you have diabetes. As advised, check your blood sugar frequently, and tell the results to your doctor. Your doctor can adjust your diabetic medication or diet.
Dehydration risk can be increased by excessive perspiration, diarrhea, or vomiting. Tell your doctor if you experience frequent vomiting or diarrhea. Follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding how much fluid you can consume.
The adverse effect of this medication, including dizziness and water/mineral loss, may be more noticeable in older persons.
If necessary, only use this drug during pregnancy. Describe the advantages and disadvantages to your doctor.
It is unclear whether this medication enters breast milk. Before breastfeeding, speak with your doctor.
Overdose symptoms:
Symptoms of overdose of bumetanide are the following;
- Trouble in breathing
- Severe weakness
- Fainting
- Severe decrease in the amount of urine
Lifestyle modification:
Lifestyle changes and diet can make this medicine work better. Some lifestyle modifications are the following;
- Regular exercise
- Avoid or stop smoking
- Reduce stress level
- Change your diet
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet
- While taking this medication, your doctor may advise you to eat a potassium-rich diet. Prunes, bananas, orange juice, squash, and dark leafy greens are foods high in potassium.
References:
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5029/bumex-oral/details
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumetanide
- https://www.rxlist.com/bumex-drug.htm
- https://reference.medscape.com/drug/bumex-burinex-bumetanide-342421
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/018225s024lbl.pdf
- https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/bumetanide-oral-tablet
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/bumetanide
