Lasix vs. Bumex

• Are Bumex and Lasix the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lasix?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Bumex?
• What is Lasix?
• What is Bumex?
• What Drugs Interact with Lasix?
• What Drugs Interact with Bumex?
• How Should Lasix Be Taken?
• How Should Bumex Be Taken?

Lasix (furosemide) and Bumex (bumetanide) are loop diuretics (water pills) used to treat excessive fluid accumulation (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, and nephritic syndrome. Lasix and Bumex may be used with antihypertensive drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension).

Common side effects of Lasix include:

• increased urination,
• thirst,
• muscle cramps,
• itching or rash,
• weakness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain, and
• constipation.

Serious side effects of Lasix include:

• dehydration,
• dark urine,
• clay-colored stools,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• fever,
• jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes),
• electrolyte abnormalities,
• loss of appetite, and
• rapid weight loss.

Common side effects of Bumex include:

• dizziness,
• skin rash or itching, or
• headache as your body adjusts to the medication.

Tell your doctor if you experience side effects of Bumex including:

• muscle cramps or pain,
• weakness,
• tiredness,
• confusion,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• fainting,
• drowsiness,
• dry mouth/thirst,
• stomach pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• fast/irregular heartbeat,
• an unusual decrease in the amount of urine as these may be signs of severe dehydration,
• low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling),
• trouble concentrating,
• memory problems,
• loss of appetite,
• feeling unsteady,
• hallucinations,
• seizures,
• shallow breathing or breathing that stops,
• easy bruising,
• unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum),
• purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin,
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash, or
• hearing problems.

Lasix (furosemide) is an anthranilic acid derivative that is used as a strong diuretic in adults and children to treat excessive fluid accumulation (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, and nephritic syndrome. Lasix may be used with antihypertensive drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension).

Bumex (bumetanide) is a loop diuretic (water pill) that prevents the body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to instead be passed in the urine, used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, liver disease, or a kidney disorder such as nephrotic syndrome.

Lasix may interact with lithium or steroids.

Lasix may also interact with sucralfate, cisplatin, cyclosporine, ethacrynic acid, methotrexate, phenytoin, antibiotics, heart or blood pressure medications, laxatives, or salicylates such as aspirin.

Bumex may interact with lithium, antibiotics, or blood pressure medications.

Bumex may also interact with medicines to treat a bowel disorder, medications to prevent organ transplant rejection, antiviral medications, chemotherapy, pain or arthritis medicines, digoxin, probenecid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or other diuretics.

Lasix is available in tablet (20 to 80 mg) and IV forms. Dosage is determined by the patient's physician and varies according to how much fluid and how fast the fluid should be removed. Patients with poor renal function usually require higher doses; doses in children are weight-based. Lasix may interact with sucralfate, cisplatin, cyclosporine, ethacrynic acid, lithium, methotrexate, phenytoin, antibiotics, heart or blood pressure medications, laxatives, salicylates such as aspirin, or steroids. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Lasix; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. Lasix passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Lasix may also slow breast milk production. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The usual daily dosage of Bumex is 0.5 mg to 2 mg and in most patients is given as a single dose. Products that may interact with this drug include indomethacin, lithium, probenecid, and other drugs that can affect your hearing (including aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin, tobramycin). If you have diabetes, Bumex may affect your blood sugar level. Bumex may also reduce the potassium level in your blood. During pregnancy, this drug should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.