Bumetanide injection

What is bumetanide injection?
BUMETANIDE (Bumex� IM/IV) is a diuretic. Diuretics increase the amount of urine passed, which causes the body to lose water and salt. Bumetanide is a loop diuretic; “loop” refers to the part of the kidney where bumetanide works. Bumetanide is given as a diuretic in conditions that make the body retain water and produce swelling (edema), like heart failure, liver or kidney problems. It is not a cure. Bumetanide injections are for patients unable to take bumetanide by mouth. As soon as you can, replace injections with tablets. Generic bumetanide injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive bumetanide?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• diarrhea
• gout
• hearing problems
• heart disease, or previous heart attack
• kidney disease, small amounts of urine, or difficulty passing urine
• liver disease
• low blood levels of calcium, potassium, chloride, sodium or magnesium
• pancreatitis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to bumetanide, thaizides, sulfonamides, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?
Bumetanide is for injection into a muscle or a vein. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use doses at regular intervals. Do not use more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with bumetanide?

• alcohol
• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
• amphotericin B
• cisplatin
• heart medicines such as digoxin and dofetilide
• hormones such as cortisone, fludrocortisone, hydrocortisone
• medicines for high blood pressure
• lithium
• water pills

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving bumetanide?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blood in the urine
• blurred vision
• dry mouth
• fever or chills
• hearing loss, ringing in the ears
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeat, chest pain
• muscle cramps, pain or weakness
• nausea, vomiting
• pain, redness, swelling or irritation at the injection site
• skin rash
• stomach pain
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• headache
• loss of appetite
• sexual difficulties, difficulty keeping an erection

What should I watch for while taking bumetanide?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You must not get dehydrated, ask your prescriber or health care professional how much fluid you need to drink a day. Do not stop using bumetanide except on your prescriber’s advice.

Watch your diet while you are using bumetanide. Ask your prescriber or health care professional about both potassium and sodium intake. Bumetanide can make your body lose potassium and you may need an extra supply. Some foods have a high potassium content such as bananas, coconuts, dates, figs, prunes, apricots, peaches, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, and orange juice.

You may get dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how bumetanide affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you lightheaded, dizzy and increase confusion. Avoid or limit intake of alcoholic drinks.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are receiving bumetanide.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.