Vnitr Lek 2025, 71(8):517-523

Angioedema as an adverse effect of treatment with various drugs

Jan Baroš, Roman Hakl, Sáva Pešák, Zita Chovancová
Ústav klinické imunologie a alergologie Lékařské fakulty Masarykovy univerzity a Fakultní nemocnice u sv. Anny v Brně

Angioedema is an intermittent and localized swelling of the deeper layers of the skin or mucous membranes. The most important mediators involved in its development are bradykinin and histamine. The latest classification (known as DANCE) distinguishes five types of angioedema. Drug-induced angioedema forms a separate group. The most significant drug classes causing angioedema include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and tissue plasminogen activators (tPAs). Although the exact mechanism responsible for the development of angioedema in these drug classes is not fully understood, alterations in bradykinin or arachidonic acid metabolism are likely to play a key role.

Keywords: angioedema, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tissue plasminogen activators.

Accepted: November 26, 2025; Published: December 15, 2025  Show citation

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Baroš J, Hakl R, Pešák S, Chovancová Z. Angioedema as an adverse effect of treatment with various drugs. Vnitr Lek. 2025;71(8):517-523.
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