What is the Difference Between Bumex and Lasix

The key difference between Bumex and Lasix is that Bumex belongs to the generic drug bumetanide and is 40 times more potent than Lasix, while Lasix belongs to the generic drug furosemide, and its potency is low.

Bumex and Lasix are two types of brand-name diuretics (water pills) used to reduce excess fluid in the body, also known as edema. This condition typically occurs due to certain medical conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, and liver disease. Bumex and Lasix are loop diuretics that work by blocking the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidney tubules, including the loop of Henle. This prevents fluid retention and increases urine output, which helps to reduce excess fluid and alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in the arms or legs.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Bumex  
3. What is Lasix
4. Similarities – Bumex and Lasix
5. Bumex vs. Lasix in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Bumex and Lasix
7. Summary – Bumex vs. Lasix

What is Bumex?

Bumex is a brand name of the generic drug bumetanide, also available as Burinex. Bumex is a sulfamyl diuretic prescribed to treat edema associated with congestive heart failures and liver and kidney diseases, including nephrotic syndrome. Bumex interferes with the renal cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and inhibits the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) pump. It also blocks the active reabsorption of chloride and sodium, changing the electrolyte transfer in the proximal tube and resulting in diuresis. It is administered orally once or twice daily based on medical conditions and response to treatment. To get the maximum benefits, it is recommended to take the medication regularly at the same time, even if the symptoms improve with time.

Bumex is completely absorbed with almost 100% bioavailability regardless of the food effect. Upon absorption, 97% of the drug remains bound with the plasma protein and undergoes hepatic metabolism. The metabolites are incorporated in urine and feces, while 45% of the drug is secreted unchanged with an elimination half-life of 60-90 minutes. Dizziness may occur as a significant side effect as the body adjusts to the medication while consulting a doctor is recommended if the symptoms persist long. Additionally, diuretics can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, leading to symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, confusion, loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and cramps. Therefore, it is essential to be monitored closely by a doctor while taking the Bumex. The overdose symptoms of Bumex include acute water loss, electrolyte depletion, and blood volume reduction.

What is Lasix?

Lasix is a brand drug of the generic furosemide, also available as Furoscix. Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic prescribed to treat edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, and kidney disease, including nephrotic syndrome in both adults and pediatrics. The diuretic effect is related to the competitive inhibition of sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporters, resulting in the increased excretion of sodium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, and calcium ions by inhibiting their reabsorption. In addition, Lasix also exerts a vasodilatory effect by increasing the production of prostaglandin and lowering the responsiveness to vasoconstrictors such as angiotensin II and noradrenaline, enabling it to be used in acute pulmonary edema.

Lasix is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration with a bioavailability ranging from 10-90%. Upon absorption, 91-99% of the drug is bound to serum albumin and metabolized in the kidney and liver. The kidneys eliminate 85% of the total clearance with a half-life of 4-4.5 hours. Sticking to the recommended dose is vital since higher doses may cause irreversible hearing loss. Lasix overdose symptoms may also include acute renal failure, thrombosis, delirium, flaccid paralysis, apathy, and confusion. Due to the diuretic effect of Laxis, the patient will have to urinate more often, leading to dehydration. Furthermore, blood pressure monitoring is also required, along with other medical tests.

What are the Similarities Between Bumex and Lasix?

• Bumex and Lasix are loop diuretics.
• They are used to treat conditions characterized by edema, such as congestive heart failure and hypertension.
• Both drugs inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidney, leading to increased urine production and reduced fluid retention.
• They have a faster onset of action.

What is the Difference Between Bumex and Lasix?

Bumex belongs to the generic drug bumetanide and is 40 times more potent than Lasix. In contrast, Lasix belongs to the generic drug furosemide, and its potency is low. Thus, this is the key difference between Bumex and Lasix. Bumex is available in oral tablets of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, and 0.25 mg/mL injection solution. Its diuretic effects typically last for four to six hours. Lasix is a diuretic drug that has been in use for a more extended period when compared to Bumex. It is available in oral tablets of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg, as well as a 10 mg/mL injection. Typically, the diuretic effects of Lasix last for about six to eight hours.

Below is a summary of the difference between Bumex and Lasix in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Bumex and Lasix

Is Bumex the same as Lasix?

Bumex belongs to the generic drug bumetanide and is 40 times more potent than Lasix, while Lasix belongs to the generic drug furosemide, and the potency is low.

What class of diuretic are Bumex and Lasix?

Bumex and Lasix are diuretics (water pills) used to reduce excess fluid in the body, also known as edema.

Which diuretic is safer, Bumex or Lasix?

Bumex is associated with a lesser risk of side effects such as ototoxicity.

Summary – Bumex vs. Lasix

In summary, Bumex and Lasix are both loop diuretics used to alleviate edema in conditions like congestive heart failure and kidney disease. However, they differ significantly in potency and generic names. Bumex, containing the active ingredient bumetanide, is 40 times more potent than Lasix, which utilizes furosemide. While both drugs work by inhibiting sodium and chloride reabsorption in the kidneys to increase urine production, Bumex offers a shorter 4-6 hour diuretic effect, whereas Lasix extends up to 6-8 hours. Additionally, Bumex is not recommended for patients under 18, while Lasix is suitable for both adults and children. This is the summary of the difference between Bumex and Lasix. The choice between diuretics should be based on medical conditions, side effect profiles, and desired duration of action, with consultation of a healthcare professional.

Reference:

1. Halstenson, Charles E., and Gary R. Matzke. “Bumetanide: A new loop diuretic (Bumex, Roche Laboratories).” Drug Intelligence & Clinical Pharmacy, vol. 17, no. 11, 1983, pp. 786–797.
2. “Lasix Uses, Dosage & Side Effects.” Drugs.com

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bumetanide structure” By User:Mysid – Self-made in bkchem; edited in perl. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Lasix-box2016” By melvil – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia