Do patients on IM experience edema or fluid retention ?
KH: Approximately 68% of patients in clinical trials reported swelling around the eyes and/or lower legs while taking IM. This is due to fluid retention (edema). Some patients have reported that reducing salt and/or alcohol intake leads to a reduction in edema and others find that elevating the head or legs during sleep is helpful. Placing tea bags around the eyes may reduce puffiness. If more aggressive measures are needed, topical decongestants (such as phenylephrine, 0.25%) may be helpful. In more extreme cases, the fluid retention may be alleviated through the use of diuretics. Diuretics are drugs that reduce the amount of fluid in ones body and should be used only with the advice of a physician. Severe edema occurred in only 1% to 5% of patients.
