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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion using Osmotic Pumps Induces Aortic Aneurysms in Mice

Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion using Osmotic Pumps Induces Aortic Aneurysms in Mice

Published on: September 28, 2015

Drug-induced angioedema.

Marianne Lerch¹

¹Allergy/Dermatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Kantonsspital, Winterthur, Switzerland. marianne.lerch@ksw.ch

Chemical Immunology and Allergy

|May 23, 2012

Summary

Angioedema (AE) is deep swelling that can be a sign of anaphylaxis. Drug-induced AE is often caused by antibiotics or NSAIDs, but ACE inhibitors are linked to bradykinin-related swelling.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Pharmacology
Dermatology

Background:

Angioedema (AE) is swelling in deep skin layers, subcutaneous tissue, or submucosa, a key indicator of anaphylaxis.
Drug-induced AE, a common cutaneous reaction, is frequently triggered by betalactam antibiotics and NSAIDs, differing in IgE-mediated or pseudoallergic mechanisms.
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers are most commonly linked to isolated AE, likely due to elevated bradykinin levels.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the pathophysiology and management of drug-induced angioedema.
To highlight the distinct mechanisms of AE triggered by different drug classes.
To emphasize the importance of comprehensive diagnostic workup and patient management.

Main Methods:

Literature review of drug-induced angioedema.

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion using Osmotic Pumps Induces Aortic Aneurysms in Mice

Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion using Osmotic Pumps Induces Aortic Aneurysms in Mice

Published on: September 28, 2015

Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms.

Review of diagnostic criteria and management strategies.

Main Results:

Betalactam antibiotics and NSAIDs are frequent triggers of drug-induced AE via different pathways.
ACE inhibitors are the most common cause of isolated AE, associated with bradykinin pathway activation.
AE from ACE inhibitors can manifest years after treatment initiation and may recur post-discontinuation.

Conclusions:

Comprehensive evaluation for drug-induced AE requires assessing complement factors, tryptase, and allergy tests, while excluding other causes.
Patients with drug-induced AE need an allergy pass and emergency medication, including epinephrine.
Bradykinin system inhibitors may be a treatment option for specific cases of drug-induced angioedema.