Bumetanide - Oral

Bumetanide is used to treat water retention caused by heart failure, kidney or liver disease. Water retention may be noticed as swelling of the feet, ankles, lower leg and hands, or shortness of breath. For this reason, it is commonly known as a "water pill".

This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Bumetanide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.

You may need to pass urine more often while being treated with this medicine. Take Bumetanide early in the day, preferably in the morning. If your doctor has told you to take it twice a day, take the last dose in the late afternoon. This is to prevent you from waking up frequently at night to go to the toilet.

Bumetanide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• unable to pass urine
• brain condition caused by liver problem
• very low electrolyte levels

as Bumetanide may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• allergy to sulfonamides
• low blood pressure
• prostate enlargement
• having trouble with urination
• severe liver disease
• severe kidney disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Bumetanide to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests, inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.

If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Bumetanide.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, blood sugar and electrolyte levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.

Bumetanide may cause any of the following side effects: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, dry mouth, cough, muscle cramps, chest pain and discomfort, breast pain, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and itching.

This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.

You may need to pass urine more often while you are being treated with Bumetanide. As your body adjusts to the medicine, this urination effect should also decrease.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
• hearing disturbances such as ringing and sense of fullness of ears and deafness
• mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, fast or abnormal heartbeat, severe dizziness or passing out, increased thirst

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. digoxin
• NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. indometacin, naproxen
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. losartan, captopril
• lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
• probenecid (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
• certain antibiotics e.g. gentamicin, tobramycin
• medicines for cancer e.g. cisplatin, methotrexate

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Bumetanide.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Your doctor may give you potassium supplements while you are being treated with Bumetanide. Alternatively, he may tell you to eat more of foods that are rich in potassium, such as orange juice, bananas, or prunes.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.