bumetanide
Brand names: Bumex
Bumetanide is a water pill (diuretic). It helps your body get rid of extra water and salt.
Drug Shortage Alert
bumetanide is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC. Status: Available.
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.13/unit
Generic Available
Yes (19 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats swelling (edema) caused by heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems.
Common side effects
Muscle cramps, Dizziness, Low blood pressure
Key warnings
Bumetanide is a strong diuretic.
How It Works
Bumetanide works in your kidneys to increase the amount of salt and water that you pass in your urine. This helps to lower the amount of fluid in your body. It starts working quickly and does not last very long.
How to Take It
Take bumetanide exactly as your doctor tells you. The usual dose is 0.5 mg to 2 mg per day, taken as one dose. If needed, your doctor may have you take a second or third dose, 4 to 5 hours apart, up to a maximum of 10 mg per day. Your doctor may have you take it every other day, or for 3 to 4 days with 1 to 2 days off.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if bumetanide will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking bumetanide during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store at room temperature (68° to 77°F) in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 14,935 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 25,027 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1999–2025.
Total Reports
25,027
Death-Related Reports
3,999
Hospitalization Reports
12,100
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DYSPNOEA | 2,495 |
| 2 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 1,657 |
| 3 | DEATH | 1,642 |
| 4 | FATIGUE | 1,639 |
| 5 | DIARRHOEA | 1,474 |
| 6 | NAUSEA | 1,454 |
| 7 | DIZZINESS | 1,210 |
| 8 | HEADACHE | 1,144 |
| 9 | RENAL FAILURE | 1,133 |
| 10 | PNEUMONIA | 1,087 |
| 11 | ASTHENIA | 1,041 |
| 12 | PAIN | 1,008 |
| 13 | HYPOTENSION | 998 |
| 14 | CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE | 951 |
| 15 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 894 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Bumetanide is a strong diuretic. If you take too much, it can cause you to lose too much water and electrolytes. You need to be carefully watched by your doctor, and your dose needs to be adjusted to fit your needs.
Known Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions Probenecid Probenecid is known to interact with the metabolism or renal tubular excretion of many drugs (e.g., acetaminophen, acyclovir, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, aminosalicylic acid, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, bumetanide, clofibrate, methotrexate, famotidine, furosemide, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, theophylline, and zidovudine).
Mechanism: Probenecid, which is given with cidofovir, interferes with how the kidneys remove bumetanide from the body. This can cause the levels of bumetanide to rise in your system.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor your response to these medications or adjust your dosage.
No dosing adjustments required for the following: Oral Antidiabetic Agents Metformin (1000 mg) 20 mg ↔ ↔ Pioglitazone (45 mg) 50 mg ↔ ↔ Sitagliptin (100 mg) 20 mg ↔ ↔ Glimepiride (4 mg) 20 mg ↔ ↔ Voglibose (0.2 mg three times daily) 10 mg ↔ ↔ Other Medications Hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg) 50 mg ↔ ↔ Bumetanide (1 mg) 10 mg once daily for 7 days ↔ ↔ Valsartan (320 mg) 20 mg ↓12% [↓3%, ↓20%] ↔ Simvastatin (40 mg) 20 mg ↔ ↔ Anti-infective Agent Rifampin (600 mg once daily for 6 days) 10 mg ↓7% [↓22%, ↑11%] ↓22% [↓27%, ↓17%] Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agent Mefenamic Acid (loading dose of 500...
Mechanism: These medications do not significantly change how the other is processed by your body.
What to do: You can take these medicines together without needing to adjust your dosages.
Common Questions
What should I avoid while taking bumetanide?
Can bumetanide cause dehydration?
Will bumetanide cure my condition?
Can I drive while taking bumetanide?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can bumetanide affect my blood sugar?
How long does it take for bumetanide to work?
Can I take bumetanide with other medications?
What are the symptoms of low potassium?
When should I call my doctor?
What are the common side effects of bumetanide?
Does bumetanide interact with other medications?
What drug class is bumetanide?
Is bumetanide safe during pregnancy?
Is bumetanide currently in shortage?
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Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for bumetanide
The FDA label for bumetanide (sold under brand names such as Bumex) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Loop Diuretic class. This medicine treats swelling (edema) caused by heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems. Official labeling lists 14 commonly reported side effects, including Muscle cramps, Dizziness, Low blood pressure.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 14,935 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.13.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 8, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages