BUMEX (BUMETANIDE)

Bumex Information

Bumex is a drug also generically known under the name of Bumetanide. Bumex is a medicine that belongs to a wide class of medicines called diuretics (water pills). In Canada, this drug is known as Burinex.

Bumex Indications

Bumex is normally prescribed in the treatment of swellings caused by increased water retention. This effect comes from other disorders such as kidney diseases, liver disorders, congestive heart failure, etc.
Bumex’s main purpose is to decrease the amount of fluid that is retained by the body. Bumetanide achieves its purpose by increasing the amount of water and the amount of salt that is normally urinated. Therefore, this drug makes the body to reduce the amount of fluid that is retained in it by excreting more liquids.

Bumex Warnings

Bumex is known to induce frequent urination. Therefore you should take Bumetanide during daytime (if you take it in the evenings you might hamper your sleep).
Bumex is a Category D FDA Pregnancy drug, therefore it is able to cause harm to a growing fetus or to the carrying mother if it is taken during pregnancy (through this, harmful effects are birth defects and death of the fetus). If you are pregnant or are planning to be so soon, you should consult with your doctor before starting a treatment with this drug. It has not been clearly established whether Bumex can pass into breast milk. However, if you are breastfeeding an infant you should not start taking this medicine without consulting it with your physician.
You may not be allowed to start a treatment with Bumex if you are suffering from any of the following medical conditions:

Gout
Diabetes Mellitus
Allergic reactions to sulfa-based drugs
Systemic lupus erythematosus

If you are suffering from any of the disorders listed here you should consult with your doctor before starting a treatment with Bumex. He might want to monitorize your treatment with this drug or to make adjustments to your normal dose of Bumex.
During a treatment with Bumex the patient should avoid consumption of alcohol because this substance is known to increase the risk and the severity of some of Bumex’s side effects.

Bumex Intake Guidelines

You must ask your doctor for instructions. Follow the advices that he gives you. If you have any other matters that you want to know about, you should ask your doctor, a pharmacist or a nurse. Try to accompany each dose of this drug by a glass of water.
You can take this drug either on an empty or on a full stomach. Try to take Bumex regularly, preferably during daytime (in this way you will not hamper your sleep).
You should not stop your treatment with this drug without first consulting it with your doctor even if you start to feel better. If you stop your treatment on your own you might worsen your condition.

Bumex Dosage

Your doctor is the sole person indicated to calculate your dose of Bumex. This is because the correct dose varies patient to patient, depending on a couple of factors (among them: body weight, the disorder’s severity, etc).

Bumex Overdose

If you have from overdose with this drug you can find yourself experiencing the following: fatigue, weakness, confusion, general body malaise, irregular pulse, fainting, dizziness, vomiting and nausea. If you suspect that you are suffering from an overdose with Bumex you should seek medical care and attention (contact your local poison control center, inform your personal physician).

Bumex Missed Dose

Bumex works best if it is taken in at regular intervals. If you have to follow a treatment with Bumex, you should try not to miss any of your prescribed doses. In case of a missed dose, take it as soon as you can, then continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for another scheduled dose, it is best if you skip the one that you missed. Proceed with your schedule. Double doses are strictly forbidden without permission from a doctor.

Bumex Side Effects

Following a treatment with Bumex can trigger some unpleasant side effects such as:

Allergic reactions (rashes, hives, swelling of the mouth. lips and face, throat constriction, etc)
Constipation
Stomach pain and discomfort
Weakness
Muscle cramps
Hearing loss
Hypotension
Headache
Jaundice
Increased thirst
Numbness of limbs (feet and hands)
Unusual bruising or bleeding
Hypersensitivity to direct sunlight

If you happen to experience any of the symptoms listed here you can continue taking Bumex but you should inform your personal physician.
These are not the only side effects that can occur when you are taking Bumex. Inform your physician as soon as possible if you experience anything unusual while taking this drug.