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Intestinal Angioedema Induced by Promethazine in a Postoperative Patient With Gastric Cancer: A Case Report
Peng Xu1, Sanbao Shi1, Qichao Liu1
1Department of General Surgery General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang Liaoning Province China.
Clinical Case Reports
|July 14, 2026
Summary
Promethazine can cause rare intestinal angioedema, a severe hypersensitivity reaction mimicking appendicitis. Prompt recognition of this drug-induced condition is crucial to avoid surgery and allow for conservative treatment.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Intestinal angioedema is a rare but severe hypersensitivity reaction.
- It often presents with symptoms mimicking acute abdominal conditions.
- Prompt diagnosis is essential to guide appropriate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first case of intestinal angioedema induced by promethazine.
- To highlight the importance of considering drug-induced causes for acute abdominal pain.
- To emphasize the need for conservative management when a drug etiology is identified.
Main Methods:
- Case report presentation.
- Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic findings.
- Discussion of promethazine as a potential causative agent.
Main Results:
- A patient presented with symptoms consistent with acute abdomen.
- The condition was diagnosed as intestinal angioedema.
- Promethazine was identified as the likely trigger for the angioedema.
Conclusions:
- Promethazine can induce intestinal angioedema.
- Recognizing drug-induced angioedema is critical for avoiding unnecessary surgical interventions.
- Conservative management strategies are effective for drug-induced intestinal angioedema.
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