Definition: Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid in body tissues, the NCI dictionary says. MedlinePlus adds that it can cause a fast weight gain over days to weeks, and can be all over the body or in one place. Peripheral edema means swelling in the legs, ankles, feet or hands.
| Label | What it reports |
|---|---|
| Actos added to insulin | Edema 7.0% on placebo, 12.6% on 15 mg, 17.6% on 30 mg (16-week trial) |
| Genotropin, adults | Peripheral swelling 17.5% vs 5.1% on placebo; peripheral edema 10.8% vs 2.6% |
| AndroGel | Androgens can cause the body to hold salt and water |
| Lantus | Swelling from sodium retention can occur |
The Genotropin label says these fluid effects came early, tended to pass and often eased with a lower dose. AndroGel says the swelling, with or without heart failure, can be serious in people with heart, kidney or liver disease.
Actos carries a boxed warning that thiazolidinediones cause or worsen congestive heart failure in some people, and patients are watched for fast weight gain, swelling and shortness of breath after starting and after dose increases. That is why sudden swelling with breathlessness is treated differently from mild ankle swelling on a hot day.
Fluid gain shows up on the scale before it shows in a mirror. Logging daily weight next to dose changes makes a jump of several pounds in a few days stand out, which is the pattern the Actos label asks people to watch for.
Read more on Dose Track: Swelling on TRT · Actos side effects · Genotropin side effects · Pioglitazone guide