Skip to content
ppharmaranks
Menu

bumex

Bumex (Bumetanide) is a loop diuretic used to treat Ascites, Edema, Heart Failure, Hypertension.

Bumetanide · by Validus Pharms

Available as a generic: Bumetanide

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 20, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass
~$4.00 /30
Compare online visit pricesWe may earn a commission · never affects ratings
Lower-cost optionsSave up to 45%
This medication~$4.00/30
Cheapest in class · soaanz~$2.19/30
See FDA-approved alternatives

Key facts

Active ingredient
Bumetanide
Drug class
Loop Diuretic
Form
Tablet
Strength
Bumetanide 0.5MG · Bumetanide 1MG · Bumetanide 2MG
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
Manufacturer
Validus Pharms
What the pharmacy pays
~$4.00 for 30 — not your price
FDA application
NDA018225

What is Bumex?

From the FDA label:Bumetanide is a loop diuretic available as 0.5 mg (light green), 1 mg (yellow) and 2 mg (peach) tablets for oral administration; each tablet also contains anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch and talc, with the following dye systems: 0.5 mg—D&C Yellow No. 10 aluminum lake and FD&C Blue No. 1 aluminum lake; 1 mg—D&C Yellow No. 10 aluminum lake; 2 mg—red iron oxide. Chemically, bumetanide is 3-(butylamino)-4-phenoxy-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid. It is a practically white powder having a calculated molecular weight of 364.42, and the following structural formula: Chemical Structure

How to use

Individualize dosage with careful monitoring of patient response. Oral Administration The usual total daily dosage of bumetanide tablets is 0.5 mg to 2 mg and in most patients is given as a single dose. If the diuretic response to an initial dose of bumetanide tablets is not adequate, in view of its rapid onset and short duration of action, a second or third dose may be given at 4- to 5-hour intervals up to a maximum daily dose of 10 mg. An intermittent dose schedule, whereby bumetanide tablets are given on alternate days or for 3 to 4 days with rest periods of 1 to 2 days in between, is recommended as the safest and most effective method for the continued control of edema. In patients with hepatic failure, keep the dosage to a minimum. Because cross-sensitivity with furosemide has rarely been observed, bumetanide can be substituted at approximately a 1:40 ratio of bumetanide in proportion to furosemide in patients allergic to furosemide. Parenteral Administration Bumetanide injection may be administered parenterally (intravenously and intramuscularly) to patients in whom gastrointestinal absorption may be impaired or in whom oral administration is not practical. Terminate parenteral treatment and institute oral treatment as soon as possible.

Side effects

The most frequent clinical adverse reactions considered probably or possibly related to bumetanide are muscle cramps (seen in 1.1% of treated patients), dizziness (1.1%), hypotension (0.8%), headache (0.6%), nausea (0.6%) and encephalopathy (in patients with pre-existing liver disease) (0.6%). One or more of these adverse reactions have been reported in approximately 4.1% of patients treated with bumetanide. Serious skin reactions (i.e., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) have been reported in association with bumetanide use. Less frequent clinical adverse reactions to bumetanide are impaired hearing (0.5%), pruritus (0.4%), electrocardiogram changes (0.4%), weakness (0.2%), hives (0.2%), abdominal pain (0.2%), arthritic pain (0.2%), musculoskeletal pain (0.2%), rash (0.2%) and vomiting (0.2%). One or more of these adverse reactions have been reported in approximately 2.9% of patients treated with bumetanide. Other clinical adverse reactions, which have each occurred in approximately 0.1% of patients, are vertigo, chest pain, ear discomfort, fatigue, dehydration, sweating, hyperventilation, dry mouth, upset stomach, renal failure, asterixis, itching, nipple tenderness, diarrhea, premature ejaculation and difficulty maintaining an erection. Laboratory abnormalities reported have included hyperuricemia (in 18.4% of patients tested), hypochloremia (14.9%),…

FDA Boxed Warning (the FDA’s most serious warning)

Boxed (black-box) warning — from the FDA label

Bumetanide is a potent diuretic which, if given in excessive amounts, can lead to a profound diuresis with water and electrolyte depletion. Therefore, careful medical supervision is required, and dose and dosage schedule have to be adjusted to the individual patient's needs (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ) .

Warnings

Important safety information

Volume and Electrolyte Depletion The dose of bumetanide should be adjusted to the patient's need. Excessive doses or too frequent administration can lead to profound water loss, electrolyte depletion, dehydration, reduction in blood volume and circulatory collapse with the possibility of vascular thrombosis and embolism, particularly in elderly patients. Hypokalemia Hypokalemia can occur as a consequence of bumetanide administration. Prevention of hypokalemia requires particular attention in the following conditions: patients receiving digitalis and diuretics for congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis and ascites, states of aldosterone excess with normal renal function, potassium-losing nephropathy, certain diarrheal states, or other states where hypokalemia is thought to represent particular added risks to the patient, i.e., history of ventricular arrhythmias. In patients with hepatic cirrhosis and ascites, sudden alterations of electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic encephalopathy and coma. Treatment in such patients is best initiated in the hospital with small doses and careful monitoring of the patient's clinical status and electrolyte balance. Supplemental potassium and/or spironolactone may prevent hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis in these patients. Ototoxicity In cats, dogs and guinea pigs, bumetanide has been shown to produce ototoxicity. In these test animals bumetanide was 5 to 6 times more potent than furosemide and, since the diuretic potency of bumetanide is about 40 to 60 times furosemide, it is anticipated that blood levels necessary to produce ototoxicity will rarely be achieved. The potential exists, however, and must be considered a risk of intravenous therapy, especially at high doses, repeated frequently in the face of renal excretory function impairment. Potentiation of aminoglycoside ototoxicity has not been tested for bumetanide. Like other members of this class of diuretics, bumetanide probably shares this risk. Allergy to Sulfonamides Patients allergic to sulfonamides may show hypersensitivity to bumetanide. Thrombocytopenia Since there have been rare spontaneous reports of thrombocytopenia from postmarketing experience, patients should be observed regularly for possible occurrence of thrombocytopenia.

Who should not take Bumex

Bumetanide is contraindicated in anuria. Although bumetanide can be used to induce diuresis in renal insufficiency, any marked increase in blood urea nitrogen or creatinine, or the development of oliguria during therapy of patients with progressive renal disease, is an indication for discontinuation of treatment with bumetanide. Bumetanide is also contraindicated in patients in hepatic coma or in states of severe electrolyte depletion until the condition is improved or corrected. Bumetanide is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to this drug.

Overdose — what happens if you take too much

Overdosage can lead to acute profound water loss, volume and electrolyte depletion, dehydration, reduction of blood volume and circulatory collapse with a possibility of vascular thrombosis and embolism. Electrolyte depletion may be manifested by weakness, dizziness, mental confusion, anorexia, lethargy, vomiting and cramps. Treatment consists of replacement of fluid and electrolyte losses by careful monitoring of the urine and electrolyte output and serum electrolyte levels.

U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.

Interactions

Drugs with Ototoxic Potential (see WARNINGS ) Especially in the presence of impaired renal function, the use of parenterally administered bumetanide in patients to whom aminoglycoside antibiotics are also being given should be avoided, except in life-threatening conditions. Drugs with Nephrotoxic Potential There has been no experience with the concurrent use of bumetanide with drugs known to have a nephrotoxic potential. Therefore, the simultaneous administration of these drugs should be avoided. Lithium Lithium should generally not be given with diuretics (such as bumetanide) because they reduce its renal clearance and add a high risk of lithium toxicity. Probenecid Pretreatment with probenecid reduces both the natriuresis and hyperreninemia produced by bumetanide. This antagonistic effect of probenecid on bumetanide natriuresis is not due to a direct action on sodium excretion but is probably secondary to its inhibitory effect on renal tubular secretion of bumetanide. Thus, probenecid should not be administered concurrently with bumetanide. Indomethacin Indomethacin blunts the increases in urine volume and sodium excretion seen during bumetanide treatment and inhibits the bumetanide-induced increase in plasma renin activity. Concurrent therapy with bumetanide is thus not recommended. Antihypertensives Bumetanide may potentiate the effect of various antihypertensive drugs, necessitating a reduction in the dosage of these drugs. Digoxin Interaction studies in humans have shown no effect on digoxin blood levels. Anticoagulants Interaction studies in humans have shown bumetanide to have no effect on warfarin metabolism or on plasma prothrombin activity.

Drug class

How this class works, per Loop Diuretics - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

See how Bumex ranks — best-rated loop diuretic for:

Dosage forms

Tablet

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

Ask for the generic

Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →

Request a 90-day supply

Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.

Use copay cards

Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.

Compare alternatives

A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →

Frequently asked questions

What does Bumex treat?
Bumex (Bumetanide) may be used to treat ascites, edema, heart failure, hypertension, chronic kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
How does Bumex work?
Bumex is a loop diuretic. Loop diuretics such as furosemide block a salt-transport protein (the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter) in a part of the kidney called the loop of Henle. This stops sodium and chloride from being reabsorbed, so the body flushes out extra salt and water, relieving fluid buildup and swelling.
How much does Bumex cost?
Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $4.00 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins. Pharmacies pay less for a same-class option, Soaanz — about $2.19 on the same basis.
Is there a coupon or discount for Bumex?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Bumex. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Bumex?
Bumex is marketed by Validus Pharms. You can see Validus Pharms's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Bumex a brand-name or generic drug?
Bumex is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Bumetanide. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Bumetanide are available — ask your pharmacist.
Is Bumex available over the counter?
No. Bumex is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Bumex come in?
Bumex is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
What class of drug is Bumex?
Bumex is classified as loop diuretic, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
Is Bumex FDA-registered?
Bumex is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA018225. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Has Bumex been recalled by the FDA?
Bumex has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
Is Bumex safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Bumex. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Bumex?
Bumex's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The most frequent clinical adverse reactions considered probably or possibly related to bumetanide are muscle cramps (seen in 1.1% of treated patients), dizziness (1.1%), hypotension (0.8%), headache (0.6%), nausea (0.6%) and encephalopathy (in patients with pre-existing liver disease) (0.6%).… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to write one.

Write a review

Reviews are user opinions, not medical advice. Consult a licensed professional.

People also viewed

Compare Bumex head-to-head

Identify a pill by its imprint →Check a drug interaction →Drug recalls →

Browse medications A–Z

Research products from A to Z, compare independent ratings, and find alternatives.