| Drug-induced angioedema | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Acquired angioedema |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
Drug-induced angioedema is a known complication of the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II antagonists (ARBs), and some neprilysin inhibitors. [1] [2] The angioedema appears to be dose dependent as it may resolve with decreased dose. [1]
Angioedema presents itself as an abrupt onset of non-pitting, non-itchy swelling that involves the mucosal layers. Some common locations of angioedema are the face, particularly the lips and around the eyes, hands and feet, and genitalia. [3] A rare, yet serious complication is one inside the abdomen, the symptom usually being severe stomach upset, which is much less obvious than the other locations. [4]
Some common ACE Inhibitors are:
Some common ARBs are:
Cases of drug-induced angioedema are uncommon, with studies showing an incidence of less than 1%. [5] The reason this adverse effect may occur is due to the build-up of bradykinin, a vasodilator. This causes blood vessels to dilate and allows for fluid buildup in the mucosal surfaces.