National Patient Safety Alert

Bumetanide 1mg tablets are out of stock until mid-August 2025. The supply disruption is caused by a combination of manufacturing issues and a resulting increase in demand to other suppliers.

Bumetanide 1mg/5ml oral solution and bumetanide 5mg tablets remain available, however cannot support any increase in demand. Furosemide 20mg and 40mg tablets remain available and can support increased demand.

There is a risk of decompensation and unintentional fluid retention if patients stop taking their bumetanide 1mg tablets. Patients will require a switch to an alternative loop diuretic.

This is a safety critical and complex National Patient Safety Alert. Implementation should be co-ordinated by an executive lead (or equivalent role in organisations without executive boards) and supported by clinical leaders in pharmacy, community pharmacy, GP practices, care home settings, clinical leaders in cardiovascular disease and renal medicine and those working in the Health and Justice sector. Actions are to be completed by 11 July 2025.

The National Patient Safety Alert provides further background, information, references and the actions for providers.