Treatment of fluid retention in cirrhosis: a comparison of bumetanide and frusemide.

Bumetanide and frusemide were compared in a crossover study of 10 patients with cirrhosis and fluid overload. Patients received each drug for 3 months. Doses of bumetide varied from 1 mg on alternate days to 3 mg daily (mean 1.3 mg/day), and for frusemide from 40 mg on alternate days to 160 mg daily (mean 72 mg/day). Both drugs proved effective in controlling ascites and oedema, 9 out of the 10 patients showing a satisfactory response. Minor side-effects, hypokalaemia and hyperuricaemia were common with both agents, and hypomagnesaemia and metabolic alkalosis developed in some patients.