Bumetanide

Bumetanide, a 'water pill,' is used to reduce the swelling and fluid retention caused by various medical problems, including heart or liver disease. It also is used to treat high blood pressure. It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine. This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Bumetanide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day, in the morning. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take bumetanide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Bumetanide controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take bumetanide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking bumetanide without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Frequent urination may last for up to 6 hours after a dose and should decrease after you take bumetanide for a few weeks. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
<li>
muscle cramps</li>
<li>
weakness</li>
<li>
dizziness</li>
<li>
faintness</li>
<li>
thirst</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
rapid, excessive weight loss</li>
<li>
sore throat with fever</li>
<li>
ringing in ears</li>
<li>
loss of hearing</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
<li>
severe rash with peeling skin</li>
<li>
difficulty breathing or swallowing</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking bumetanide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bumetanide, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other medications for high blood pressure, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin (Lanoxin), indomethacin (Indocin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney or liver problems. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking bumetanide.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.