{"id":629866,"date":"2024-09-24T09:51:17","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T13:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629866"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:08:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:08:30","slug":"lisinopril-angioedema","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lisinopril-angioedema\/","title":{"rendered":"Lisinopril angioedema: Symptoms and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lisinopril<\/span><\/a> is a generic drug commonly belonging to the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) class of medications used to treat <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span><\/a> (hypertension). These medicines work by relaxing the blood vessels, enhancing blood flow, and allowing the heart to pump blood more effectively. Zestril, the brand name version of lisinopril, also helps increase life expectancy after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) and can improve symptoms in people with <\/span>congestive heart failure<\/span><\/a>.  ACE inhibitor therapy is considered an effective treatment and is well-tolerated by most people, leading to its being commonly prescribed. Still, adverse drug reactions, including a serious condition called angioedema, are possible when taking ACE inhibitors like lisinopril.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is angioedema, and lisinopril-induced angioedema?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Angioedema is an allergic reaction that causes swelling in the deeper layers of the skin. Symptoms may include swelling of parts of the face, mouth, tongue, and upper airway. In very rare instances, swelling of the airway can prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs, leading to life-threatening situations. The intestines may swell, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angioedema can be classified as acute or recurrent. Acute events are generally mild and resolve within twenty-four hours without treatment. Recurrent angioedema can be chronic, recurring over weeks or months.<\/span><\/p>\n

The onset of angioedema symptoms may be triggered by certain types of foods (e.g., shellfish, fish, nuts, eggs, or milk), exposure to sudden changes in temperature, or following insect bites or stings. This article will focus on drug-mediated reactions, specifically <\/span>ACE inhibitors<\/span><\/a> like lisinopril, that can lead to angioedema. Angiotensin‐converting enzymes are responsible, among other activities, for the breakdown of a substance called bradykinin in the body—the increased levels of bradykinin lead to inflammation by increasing blood flow, tissue permeability, and pain. Because bradykinin levels may increase when taking an ACE inhibitor, this increase is the likely explanation for ACE inhibitor‐induced angioedema.<\/span><\/p>\n

The reported <\/span>incidence rate<\/span><\/a> of ACE inhibitor-induced cases of angioedema varies from 0.1% to 0.7% of all patients who take the drugs, meaning for every 1,000 people who take an ACE inhibitor, up to seven people exhibit the symptoms. According to the <\/span>FDA label for Zestril<\/span><\/a>, in clinical studies, 0.1% (one in one thousand) of patients reported angioedema as an adverse event. Notably, there was a higher incidence of case reports among African Americans. Other factors increasing the risk of angioedema include having experienced previous episodes of angioedema, smoking, and patients over the age of 65. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lisinopril-related angioedema typically develops within <\/span>a few minutes<\/span><\/a> of taking the drug and can occur anytime during the first weeks of therapy. According to the <\/span>medical literature<\/span><\/a>, in some cases, the adverse effects may occur weeks, months, and even years after initiating treatment. The angioedema symptoms usually resolve independently over a few days but may recur at any time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Angioedema from lisinopril symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n

Angioedema is a rare adverse reaction that can occur when taking lisinopril that, in extreme cases, may be life-threatening. It is commonly characterized by facial, mouth, tongue, or upper airway swelling. Unlike many other food or drug allergic reactions, no hives or itching are typically associated with the swelling. Other symptoms may include: <\/span><\/p>\n