Angioedema due to ACE inhibitors and AT1 receptor antagonists

Acute drug-induced angioedema is a non-pruritic swelling of subcutaneous and submucosal tissue. It most occur occurs the mouth and larynx as well as lips and eyelids; less often other skin regions or even the gut can be involved. ACE inhibitor (ACEi)-induced angioedema typical occurs after several years on medication. A 72-year-old women developed recurrent ACEi-induced angioedema. The drug was stopped and she received an AT(1)-receptor antagonist as an alternative anti hypertensive. This medication also led to angioedema, which was not immediately recognized as medication-associated. AT(1)-receptor antagonists are not suitable alternatives for ACE because they also carry an increased risk for inducing angioedema.