This medication is a strong "water pill" (diuretic). Using too much of this medication can lead to serious water and mineral loss. Therefore, it is important to be closely monitored by your doctor while you are using this drug. Tell your doctor immediately if you become very thirsty or confused or if you develop muscle cramps or weakness.

Bumetanide is used to reduce extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease. Getting rid of extra water helps to reduce fluid in the lungs so that you can breathe easier. It also helps to decrease swelling of the arms, legs, and stomach/abdomen. Bumetanide belongs to a class of drugs known as "water pills" (diuretics). It causes your body to get rid of extra water by increasing the amount of urine you make.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This medication may also be used to treat high blood pressure, especially in patients who have congestive heart failure, too much fluid in the lungs, or kidney disease. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. You may take it with food or milk to reduce stomach upset. If you take this drug too close to bedtime, you may need to wake up to urinate. Therefore, it is best to take this medication at least 4 hours before your bedtime. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosing schedule.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than directed.

Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time(s) each day as directed. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens. If you are taking this medication to control high blood pressure, tell your doctor if your routine blood pressure readings increase.

Dizziness, headache, tiredness, or nausea may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may lead to a loss of too much body water (dehydration) and minerals. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious symptoms of dehydration/mineral loss: muscle cramps, weakness, confusion, severe dizziness, drowsiness, unusual dry mouth/thirst, persistent nausea/vomiting, fast/irregular heartbeat, unusual decrease in the amount of urine, fainting, numbness/tingling of the arms/legs, seizures.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, hearing problems (e.g., ringing in the ears, hearing loss), easy bruising/bleeding, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

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

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking bumetanide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe kidney disease (an inability to make urine), severe liver disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver problems, untreated mineral imbalance (e.g., low blood levels of sodium or potassium), gout, severe diarrhea, irregular heart rhythm, loss of too much body water (dehydration).

If you have diabetes, bumetanide may affect your blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your anti-diabetic medication or diet.

This drug can reduce the potassium levels in your blood. To prevent this side effect, your doctor may prescribe another type of "water pill" (potassium-sparing type) or a potassium supplement to take with this medication, or recommend that you add foods rich in potassium to your diet (e.g., bananas, orange juice). Discuss the details with your doctor.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, the elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug.

Newborn babies, especially those that are severely ill or have liver problems (jaundice), may be at greater risk for serious side effects (brain damage caused by too much bilirubin in the blood - kernicterus) while using this drug. Consult your doctor for more details.

During pregnancy, this drug should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: cisapride.

If you are currently using this medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting bumetanide.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: amphotericin B, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin, ginseng, lithium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen), probenecid, drugs that can cause hearing or kidney problems (e.g., cisplatin, aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin).

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or swelling (edema). Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include an unusual increase in urination followed by a severe decrease in the amount of urine, severe weakness, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, sudden vision changes, fainting.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney function tests, blood mineral levels such as potassium) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Discuss with your doctor how to monitor your own blood pressure.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.