Mild ankle swelling seems to be caused by oral minoxidil

I take it too, but haven’t had any swelling. My doctor has asked, but so far no swelling. I will say that I add no salt to anything. I’m not sure if that matters.

@celia16 Are you taking the 2.5 mg tablets? It's interesting that your doctor is aware and concerned. My doctor never mentions it. Did you start a low salt diet when you started oral minoxidil? I thought my discomfort was due to osteoarthritis although it felt like swelling. I asked my podiatrist yesterday about the indentations from my socks and he immediately said it was mild edema.

@tillymack , it was my dermatologist who prescribed it. I started out with half dose. I took that for several months before I went to 2,5 mg. She always asked me if I had any swelling. I never thought much about it. I had recurring edema in my feet and lower legs many years ago, but it went away. I wasn’t taking Minoxidil then.

I am sensitive to salt and think most food doesn’t need it. I haven’t added it to my food in years. I’m not on a low salt diet, but choose foods with low or no sodium added when possible. So, I never have fluid retention now. Oh, I also take a small dose of a blood pressure med. I take 1/2 of a 20 mg. Telmisarton. I don’t have arthritis.

You can ask your doctor what it means if you have swelling.

@celia16 To be sure I understand, you don't add salt to food but also don't avoid food which contains substantial sodium in its natural form?
I'm planning to start a very gradual reduction in the dose by taking half a 2.5 mg one day a week for one week, then two days a week, etc. while continuing the other days with the full 2.5 mg tablet until transitioning to 1.25 mg daily. I've read reducing the dose from 2.5 mg to 1.25 mg can resolve mild ankle edema.

@tillymack , I might check with the doctor about adjusting the dose. Also, you might get some impact on the hair situation if you adjust it.

Did you get more shedding when you first started on this med? I read that is common. I can’t say I did. Maybe due to me starting with half dose.

How do you feel the med is doing with hair growth?

Oh, ref the sodium. I’m not on a low sodium diet, however I probably consume much less sodium than the average person. That’s because I eat a lot fresh or frozen fruits, veggies and poultry without adding salt. I occasionally have peanut butter, but don’t get salt free. If I buy chips, I will get the No Salt Added. I get low sodium soy sauce. On my recent labs, my Sodium level is normal.