What are some medications for edema?

Edema refers to swelling caused by liquid trapped in the body’s tissue. It can occur anywhere in the body, but a person is more likely to notice it in the hands, feet, arms, or legs. Edema can have many causesTrusted Source, such as heart failure, diabetes, pregnancy, liver disease, and kidney disease. Some cases of edema do not require treatment. However, when they do, a doctor will typically treat the underlying cause to help the condition. They may also prescribe medications to help reduce fluids in the body. This article reviews some of the medications doctors may use to treat edema. Learn more about edema here. Prescription medications at a glance Westend61/Getty Images Treatment may include either prescription diuretics or anticoagulants. The tables below outline common medications to treat edema. What is the first-line medication to treat edema? Treatment for edema can vary widely basedTrusted Source on the underlying condition. People over the age of 50 may develop edema due to poor circulation. Younger people can develop the condition due to pregnancy, heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, or trauma. When treating edema directly, the first-line medication choice tends to be loop diuretics. In some cases, a doctor may recommendTrusted Source using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat pain and swelling. A person who experiences swelling for unknown reasons should talk with a doctor about it, particularly if it lasts longer than a few days. Learn more about NSAIDs here. Over-the-counter medications Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are not available to treat edema. A person can buy OTC diuretics, but they are primarily for helping a person lose water weight associated with their menstrual cycle or other mild conditions. If someone has unexplained swelling and puffiness, they should inform a doctor. A doctor mayTrusted Source perform a thorough physical exam and order blood tests and ultrasounds to determine the cause. They may also review a person’s current medications. Certain medications can trigger edema, includingTrusted Source: certain vitamins NSAIDs hormone treatments calcium channel blockers A closer look at loop diuretics A doctor may prescribe medication to treat the underlying cause of edema. They may also prescribe either loop diuretic or anticoagulant medication. Loop diuretics include: Furosemide (Lasix) Furosemide is a type of loop diuretic. Doctors may prescribe it for various conditions that can cause edema, includingTrusted Source congestive heart failure, liver failure, or renal failure. The brand name is Lasix. It comes in several doses based on the formulationTrusted Source: oral tablet: 20, 40, and 80 mg injectable solutions: 10 mg/ml oral solutions: 8 or 10 mg/ml If a person experiences the following side effects from furosemide, and they are persistent and severe, they should tell a doctor: frequent urination blurred vision headache constipation diarrhea If a person experiences the following side effects, they should seek immediate medical treatment: decreased urination dry mouth thirst nausea vomiting weakness drowsiness confusion muscle pain or cramps pounding or fast heart rate fever ringing in the ears loss of hearing rash hives blisters or peeling skin itching difficulty breathing or swallowing yellowing of the skin or eyes Learn more about furosemide here. Bumetanide (Bumex) Bumetanide is a diuretic that doctors prescribeTrusted Source to treat edema caused by kidney, liver, or heart failure. The brand name is Bumex. Bumetanide comes in several doses, includingTrusted Source: