Swell Culprits: Medications Linked to Angioedema
Angioedema is a condition characterized by rapid swelling of the deeper layers of the skin, often around the eyes, lips, throat, and sometimes the hands and feet. Understanding which drugs are linked to angioedema can help patients and healthcare providers manage and minimize risks.
What Is Angioedema?
Angioedema occurs due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues beneath the skin. This swelling can be accompanied by redness, warmth, and discomfort, though it is usually not itchy. The condition can range from mild to life-threatening, particularly if the swelling affects the airway, leading to difficulty breathing.
Angioedema can be classified into four main types:
- Allergic or Immunologic Angioedema – Triggered by an immune system response to allergens.
- Non-allergic Drug-induced Angioedema – Caused by medications, independent of immune system involvement.
- Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) – A rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of C1 esterase inhibitor.
- Idiopathic Angioedema – Swelling with no identifiable cause.
For drug-induced angioedema, the focus often falls on medications that alter pathways involved in inflammatory and immune responses.