A comparative randomized double-blind clinical trial of bumetanide and furosemide in congestive cardiac failure and other edema states.

The efficacy and safety of oral bumetanide, a pharmacologically new diuretic was compared with that of furosemide in 30 patients suffering from congestive cardiac failure and other edema states. In addition intravenous bumetanide was studied in 14 patients of congestive cardiac failure and nephrotic syndrome to determine the onset, peak and duration of action. In the controlled double-blind oral study bumetanide was equipotent with furosemide at one fortieth the molar dosage and did not differ from furosemide with regards to its pattern of water and electrolyte excretion. On continuous oral administration for seven days it produced sustained diuresis with minimal biochemical alterations. No hyperglycemia or hematological abnormalities were noted. Intravenous bumetanide had onset of action between 10 and 15 minutes with a peak at 50 minutes and a total duration of action of about 240 minutes. Bumetanide was well tolerated by patients and is on a weight basis the most potent diuretic available today.