Bumetanide intravenous injection for adults

Who can administer

May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife

Important information

  • Unlicensed preparation

Available preparations

Burinex 2mg per 4ml ampoule (Swedish preparation)

Reconstitution

Not required- already in solution

Infusion fluids

Sodium chloride 0.9% or Glucose 5% (ref 1)

Methods of intravenous administration

Slow intravenous injection (ref 2)

  • Doses up to 2mg only
  • Administer slowly over 1 to 2 minutes

Intermittent intravenous infusion

  • For doses over 2mg
  • Add required dose to a suitable volume of infusion fluid
  • While 500mL has been suggested as a suitable volume, solutions containing 1mg per 10mL have been used. If a 50mL infusion volume is used the residual volume in the infusion line must be flushed through at the same rate to avoid significant underdosing
  • Administer over 30 to 60 minutes
  • Protect from direct sunlight (ref 2)

Dose in adults

Slow intravenous injection or intermittent intravenous infusion (ref 1)

  • Give 0.5 to 1mg per dose
  • If diuretic response to initial dose is not adequate, may repeat in two to three hours for up to 2 doses
  • Maximum dose is 10mg/day

Elderly patients (ref 2)

  • Use lower doses

Monitoring

  • Monitor fluid balance and electrolytes closely
  • Monitor blood glucose levels
  • Monitor blood pressure
  • Monitor LFTs and renal function (ref 2)

Storage

Store below 250C

References

SPC Burinex, 23rd May 2017

1. Uptodate, downloaded 9th May 2023

2. Injectable drugs guide, downloaded 9th May 2023

Therapeutic classification

Loop diuretic