Key Summary
- Bumetanide 1mg tablets are in shortage until mid-August 2025
- NHS advises using furosemide as an alternative with proper monitoring
- Patients should track weight daily and contact their doctor if it rises quickly
The NHS has said that the Bumetanide 1mg tablets will be short in supply until mid-August 2025 due to manufacturing issues and high demand to other suppliers.
It is a popular loop diuretic suggested for curing oedema related to congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction such as nephrotic syndrome and liver cirrhosis in adults. It starts acting within one hour post oral consumption and diuresis finishes by 6 hours.
However, Bumetanide 1mg/5ml oral solution and bumetanide 5mg tablets are in stock. Yet they cannot fulfill the rising demands.
On the other hand, the availability of Furosemide 20mg and 40mg tablets can meet the rising demands.
It is also a loop diuretic similar to bumetanide which acts within one hour of consumption.
The NHS has provided safety alerts to patients as risks of decompensation and unintentional fluid retention exists in the patients if they fail to consume bumetanide 1mg tablets. The patients are urged to start using an equivalent loop diuretic.
The official health alert has strictly warned that new patients should not be prescribed this tablet until the supply issue is sorted.
Patients who are currently using bumetanide 1mg tablets must make sure they have sufficient amount of medicine with them until the restock.
If not, the patients must be given Furosemide tablets in the right dosage with appropriate weight examinations to ensure the prevention of side effects and any adverse reaction.
40mg furosemide is given to a person whose kidney functions normally after proper examination of the effects of it on the patient.
Patients who are eligible as per NHS criteria will only be allowed to access the remaining bumetanide tablets in stock.
Prescribers must also ensure the local availability of the medicine while prescribing, or refer them to a specialist to help them access the apt equivalent for it.
Also, patients should weigh themselves daily and call their GP or heart team if they gain 1kg in a day or 2–3kg in 3–5 days.
The NHS has suggested to stock the remaining bumetanide tablets for patients who are allergic to furosemide to prevent problematic outcomes.
