Renal Sodium & Water Retention
This class of common pain medications can cause edema by inhibiting renal prostaglandins, reducing renal blood flow and promoting sodium retention.
What are NSAIDs? (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin)
This antihypertensive class causes vasodilation that can trigger reflex RAAS activation and sodium retention, leading to edema.
What are direct vasodilators? (e.g., hydralazine, minoxidil)
This class of antihypertensives used after myocardial infarction and in heart failure is also associated with peripheral edema in some patients.
What are beta blockers? (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol)
These anti-inflammatory drugs can cause fluid retention because their mineralocorticoid effects increase sodium reabsorption in the kidney.
What are corticosteroids? (e.g., prednisone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone)
These antihypertensive drugs cause preferential arteriolar dilation that increases capillary hydrostatic pressure, often leading to ankle edema.
What are dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers? (e.g., amlodipine, nifedipine, nicardipine)
These hormone therapies commonly used in oral contraceptives can cause fluid retention and swelling.
What are estrogen-containing medications? (e.g., estradiol, ethinyl estradiol in oral contraceptives)
These type 2 diabetes drugs activate PPAR-γ and are notorious for causing fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
What are thiazolidinediones? (e.g., pioglitazone, rosiglitazone)