Bumex vs. Lasix: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you

Drug overview & main differences | Conditions treated | Efficacy | Insurance coverage and cost comparison | Side effects | Drug interactions | Warnings | FAQ

Bumex (bumetanide) and Lasix (furosemide) are brand-name diuretics used to decrease excess fluid in the body. Also known as edema, this excess accumulation of fluid often occurs as a result of certain conditions, such as heart failure, kidney disease, and liver disease. Bumex and Lasix can help reduce excess fluid and alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in the arms or legs.

Bumex and Lasix work by blocking the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidney tubules, including the loop of Henle. As loop diuretics, Bumex and Lasix block fluid retention and increase the output of urine (diuresis). These drugs are also commonly called “water pills.”

Even though Bumex and Lasix share similarities, they have differences in potency and dosage.

What are the main differences between Bumex and Lasix?

Bumex is the brand name for bumetanide. Compared to Lasix, Bumex is a more potent drug; Bumex is 40 times more potent than Lasix in people with normal kidney function. That means for every 1 mg of Bumex, it would take 40 mg of Lasix to achieve the same effect. Since less Bumex is needed, this may also mean a lower risk of certain adverse effects, such as ototoxicity.

Bumex can be taken as a 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg oral tablet. It can also be injected as a 0.25 mg/1 mL solution. Maximum effects are seen between one and two hours after oral administration and within 15 to 30 minutes after IV injection. Diuretic effects can last for four to six hours.

Bumex is usually given as an oral tablet in a 0.5 mg to 2 mg single dose. However, if effects are not sufficient enough, a second or third dose can be given in four to five-hour intervals.

Lasix is the brand name for furosemide. Compared to Bumex, Lasix is an older drug. It is available in 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg oral tablets as well as a 10 mg/1 mL injection. Lasix starts working within one to two hours after oral administration. The duration of diuretic effects is usually about six to eight hours.

Lasix can be given as an oral tablet in a 20 to 80 mg single dose. Other doses can be given after six to eight hours until an adequate effect is reached. Ultimately, dosing will depend on the overall condition being treated.

Main differences between Bumex and Lasix
	Bumex	Lasix
Drug class	Diuretic	Diuretic
Brand/generic status	Brand and generic version available	Brand and generic version available
What is the generic name?	Bumetanide	Furosemide
What form(s) does the drug come in?	Oral tablet Solution for injection	Oral tablet Solution for injection
What is the standard dosage?	Oral tablet: 0.5 to 2 mg single dose. Second or third dose can be administered in four to five-hour intervals. Maximum of 10 mg per day. IM/IV injection: 0.5 to 1 mg. Second or third dose can be administered in two to three hour intervals. Maximum of 10 mg per day.	Oral tablet: 20 to 80 mg single dose. Second dose can be given six to eight hours later. Dose may be increased on an individual basis with physician discretion. IM/IV injection: 20 to 40 mg single dose. Second dose can be given two hours later. Dose may be increased on an individual basis with physician discretion.
How long is the typical treatment?	Short-term or long-term treatment depending on the condition being treated	Short-term or long-term treatment depending on the condition being treated
Who typically uses the medication?	Adults	Adults and certain children based on weight

Conditions treated by Bumex and Lasix

Bumex and Lasix are both used to treat the accumulation of fluid (edema) caused by conditions like congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, renal disease, and renal failure. Reducing excess fluid can help alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in the arms, legs, or abdomen.

Lasix is also FDA approved to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults. It can either be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs to help treat high blood pressure.

Bumex may also help treat high blood pressure when used with other blood pressure-lowering agents. However, Bumex would be used off-label for treating high blood pressure.

Condition	Bumex	Lasix
Edema	Yes	Yes
Hypertension	Off-label	Yes

Is Bumex or Lasix more effective?

Bumex and Lasix are both effective for treating edema. However, Bumex is a more potent loop diuretic. Bumex also has a higher bioavailability than Lasix. Meaning, Bumex is more efficiently absorbed in the body than Lasix.

In a comparative study, bumetanide was found to have an 80% bioavailability while furosemide was found to have a 40% bioavailability. Despite their differences in bioavailability, both Bumex and Lasix are similar in effectiveness when given in equivalent doses.

Compared to bumetanide and furosemide, torsemide has a longer half-life. Although torsemide has a longer half-life than bumetanide, it is less potent than bumetanide (20 mg of torsemide equals 1 mg of bumetanide). In one systematic review, torsemide was found to be more effective than furosemide at reducing hospital readmissions caused by heart failure. Torsemide and furosemide also have other differences that can affect how they’re used.

Consult a doctor to determine the most effective loop diuretic for you. A healthcare provider will be able to evaluate your entire condition before prescribing an appropriate diuretic.

Coverage and cost comparison of Bumex vs. Lasix

Bumex is a brand-name drug. However, most Medicare and insurance plans will cover the generic version of Bumex, bumetanide. The average cash price of Bumex is around $85 depending on the pharmacy you purchase it from. With a Bumex SingleCare coupon, you can lower this price to $22, or less, buying the generic form at certain pharmacies.

Lasix is also a brand-name drug that is available as a generic version. The generic form, furosemide, is usually covered by most Medicare and insurance plans. With a Lasix coupon, you can expect to pay an affordable cost of $4. Check with your local pharmacy to compare the cost of a Lasix prescription without insurance to the cost of it with a SingleCare card.

	Bumex	Lasix
Typically covered by insurance?	Yes	Yes
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?	Yes	Yes
Standard dosage	1 mg once daily (quantity of 30 tablets)	20 mg once daily (quantity of 30 tablets)
Typical Medicare copay	$0–$1	$0–$4
SingleCare cost	$22+	$4+

 

Get the pharmacy discount card

Common side effects of Bumex vs. Lasix

Bumex and Lasix share similar side effects. The most common side effects of Bumex and Lasix are muscle cramps or weakness, dizziness, itching (pruritus), headache, and nausea. These side effects may also be signs of dehydration due to increased fluid output in the urine. Muscle cramps may occur as a result of a loss of potassium.

As loop diuretics, Bumex and Lasix can also cause dangerously low blood pressure, or hypotension. In severe cases, Bumex and Lasix can also cause impaired hearing or hearing loss. The severity of tinnitus is usually related to the dose of the drug given, especially if the diuretic is given in higher doses than normal.

	Bumex		Lasix
Side effect	Applicable?	Frequency	Applicable?	Frequency
Muscle cramps	Yes	1.1%	Yes	*
Dizziness	Yes	1.1%	Yes	*
Hypotension	Yes	0.8%	Yes	*
Headache	Yes	0.6%	Yes	*
Nausea	Yes	0.6%	Yes	*
Impaired hearing	Yes	0.5%	Yes	*
Itching	Yes	0.4%	Yes	*

*not reported
Frequency is not based on data from a head-to-head trial. This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur. Please refer to your doctor or healthcare provider to learn more.
Source: DailyMed (Bumex), DailyMed (Lasix)

RELATED: Lasix side effects and how to avoid them

Drug interactions of Bumex vs. Lasix

Bumex and Lasix are diuretics that have similar drug interactions with other medications. Because Bumex and Lasix have been shown to cause hearing impairment, they should not be used with other drugs that have similar effects. For example, Bumex and Lasix should be avoided in those who are taking aminoglycoside antibiotics, which are known to have a risk of hearing impairment. This risk is also increased when Bumex or Lasix is taken together with another loop diuretic known as ethacrynic acid.

Lithium should be avoided with Bumex or Lasix. Lithium levels are increased when Lithium is taken with either of these diuretics, which can lead to lithium toxicity.

Drugs like probenecid, indomethacin, and sucralfate can interfere with the diuretic and antihypertensive effects of Bumex and Lasix. Therefore, these drugs should be monitored or avoided while on Bumex or Lasix.

Although antihypertensive drugs are sometimes taken with Bumex or Lasix to treat high blood pressure, their dosage may need to be adjusted. Combining Bumex or Lasix with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers can lead to adverse effects. The risk of dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension) is increased when loop diuretics are taken with an antihypertensive drug. In addition, renal function may also be affected when these diuretics are taken with an antihypertensive drug.

Drug	Drug Class	Bumex	Lasix
Gentamicin Tobramycin Amikacin Streptomycin	Aminoglycoside antibiotics	Yes	Yes
Ethacrynic acid	Loop diuretic	Yes	Yes
Lithium	Antimanic agent	Yes	Yes
Probenecid	Antigout agent	Yes	Yes
Indomethacin	Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)	Yes	Yes
Sucralfate	Protectant	Yes	Yes
Lisinopril Losartan Amlodipine	Antihypertensives	Yes	Yes

Consult a healthcare professional for other possible drug interactions

Warnings of Bumex and Lasix

The use of loop diuretics like Bumex or Lasix can lead to excessive water and electrolyte depletion. This can lead to dehydration in severe cases. Therefore, Bumex and Lasix should only be taken in appropriate doses under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

In addition to affecting calcium and sodium levels, Bumex and Lasix can also cause hypokalemia, or very low potassium levels. A potassium-sparing diuretic like spironolactone may be given to help control potassium levels.

In those with liver cirrhosis, drastic electrolyte imbalances can lead to hepatic encephalopathy or coma.

Bumex and Lasix have been shown to cause ototoxicity, which can lead to hearing impairment or hearing loss. Since a lower dose of Bumex is needed to achieve the same effect as an equivalent Lasix dose, the risk of ototoxicity may be lower with Bumex. Still, high doses of loop diuretics can increase the risk of hearing impairment.

Bumex and Lasix should not be used in those who have an allergy to ingredients in either drug.

Consult a healthcare provider for other warnings and precautions associated with Bumex or Lasix.

Frequently asked questions about Bumex vs. Lasix

What is Bumex?

Bumex is a brand-name loop diuretic that is also available as a generic drug called bumetanide. It works by blocking the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidneys to help get rid of excess fluid in the body. It is usually administered as an oral tablet in a dose of 0.5 to 2 mg. However, it can also be administered as an injection.

What is Lasix?

Lasix is the brand name for furosemide. Like Bumex, Lasix is a loop diuretic that helps treat edema, or the accumulation of fluid in the body. Lasix helps treat those with congestive heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease. It is usually administered as a 20 to 80 mg oral dose, although it is also administered as an injection.

Are Bumex and Lasix the same?

Both Bumex and Lasix are loop diuretics that increase urinary output to get rid of excess fluid. Although they are in the same drug class, they are dosed differently. They also differ in potency and absorption (bioavailability). Bumex starts working faster than Lasix, but its effects last for a shorter duration.

Is Bumex or Lasix better?

Bumex is a more potent diuretic than Lasix. It takes a larger dose of Lasix to achieve the same effect as a lower dose of Bumex. The absorption of Bumex is also more predictable than that of Lasix. However, when given in equivalent doses, Bumex and Lasix have similar overall effectiveness. A doctor who specializes in cardiology and cardiovascular conditions will be able to determine the best diuretic for you.

Can I use Bumex or Lasix while pregnant?

There are no sufficient studies on the safety of using Bumex or Lasix during pregnancy. Bumex or Lasix should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the potential risks to the fetus. It is not generally recommended to take Bumex or Lasix while breastfeeding. Consult your healthcare provider before taking Bumex or Lasix if you are pregnant.

Can I use Bumex or Lasix with alcohol?

The effects of alcohol may overlap with the potential side effects of Bumex and Lasix. Drinking alcohol while on Bumex or Lasix can lead to increased side effects, such as dizziness and nausea. It is generally not recommended to drink excessive amounts of alcohol while on a loop diuretic.

Is Bumex bad for kidneys?

Bumex is primarily eliminated through the kidneys. The risk of adverse effects from Bumex is increased if your kidneys are not functioning properly. Therefore, kidney function should be monitored while taking Bumex. If kidney function deteriorates, Bumex may need to be discontinued.

Is Bumex potassium wasting?

Bumex is a potent diuretic that can increase urinary output of excess fluid. By the same token, the use of Bumex can lead to a loss of fluid and electrolytes. As a result, Bumex can increase the excretion of potassium from the body. This can lead to dehydration and low potassium levels.

How much stronger is Bumex than Lasix?

Bumex is 40 times more potent than Lasix. Meaning, 1 mg of Bumex is equal to 40 mg of Furosemide.