What is angioedema associated with lisinopril?

ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema is a rare but potentially fatal adverse effect of the class of medications that inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACEi). It typically presents in the first weeks after starting the ACEi as swelling of the face, lips, or tongue in the absence of itch or urticaria.

Which medication can cause the rare side effect of angioedema?

Angioedema due to use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) is a rare side-effect but is seen more often because of the increase in the use of these drugs due to their effectiveness and good tolerance in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure.

Can lisinopril cause angioedema after years of use?

Although ACE inhibitors are well established, medication side effects may present. From 0.1% to 0.7% of patients using ACE inhibitors can develop life-threatening adverse effect, angioedema, which is characterized as nonallergic, because it is not associated with degranulation of mast cells by immunoglobulin-E.

Which ACEi causes angioedema?

Recent findings: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), a medication class used by an estimated 40 million people worldwide, are associated with angioedema that occurs with incidence ranging from 0.1 to 0.7%. The widespread use of ACE-I resulted in one third of all emergency department visits for angioedema.

Is angioedema a side effect of lisinopril?

The swelling may occur soon after you start taking a new medicine, or possibly months or even years later. Medicines that can cause angioedema include: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and ramipril, which are used to treat high blood pressure.

How common is angioedema with lisinopril?

Incidence and Treatment As was (and still is) the case, the incidence of angioedema reported in the labeling for ACE inhibitors is in the range of “only” 0.1% to 0.7%. Monitoring patients for this ADR is important, because although angioedema is rare, it may be life-threatening, leading to respiratory arrest and death.

What is the main cause of angioedema?

Angioedema is often the result of an allergic reaction. This is where the body mistakes a harmless substance, such as a certain food, for something dangerous. It releases chemicals into the body to attack the substance, which cause the skin to swell.

How long does angioedema from lisinopril last?

Angioedema due to ACEIs usually is self-limiting and resolves in 12 to 48 hours after discontinuation. Some cases persist and become complicated with sever oropharyngeal and tongue swelling, which can compromise breathing.

Is lip swelling a side effect of lisinopril?

Angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, or legs) with other ACE inhibitors, history of—May increase risk of this condition occurring again.

Why does lisinopril cause angioedema in African American?

The mechanism of ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema is not known, although a plausible mechanism involves the vasoactive peptide bradykinin [6, 7]. The increased risk in black patients may be related to racial differences in the kallikrein-kinin system and increased sensitivity to bradykinin [8].

What happens when you take lisinopril and angioedema?

When I took Vasotec, though, it caused an awful cough. A. Your brother was smart to get to the emergency department in time. He experienced angioedema, a rare but life-threatening reaction to ACE inhibitor blood pressure medicines like lisinopril.

Are there any cases of angioedema associated with ACE inhibitors?

With increased prescribing of newer, longer-acting agents, this potentially lethal adverse reaction is of even greater concern. Because angioedema associated with ACE inhibitors is a class-related event, the number of reported cases would be expected to increase with increasing numbers of prescriptions written for these drugs.

Are there any side effects from taking lisinopril?

It works quite well for most people. Except for a nasty cough, it usually doesn’t cause intolerable side effects. For some people, however, there is one complication of ACE inhibitor medicines that is life threatening. That adverse reaction is called angioedema. Q. My brother took lisinopril for nearly three years to lower his blood pressure.

Which is the leading cause of drug induced angioedema?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are the leading cause of drug-induced angioedema in the United States because they are so widely prescribed.