Medicaments and oral healthcare. Medicaments potentially inducing angioedema and/or urticaria

Abstract

Angioedema stems from increased vasodilation and vascular permeability, resulting in extravasation of fluid. Hereditary and acquired types of angioedema can be distinguished, with 3 and 4 subtypes, respectively. Groups of medicaments potentially inducing angioedema are, among others: ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors and immunosuppressive agents. Urticaria is characterised by red, slightly raised swellings, usually associated with a strong itching sensation and can be subdivided in an acute and a chronic type. Mast cells in the uppermost layer of the skin or the mucous membranes release a lot of histamine, increasing the dilation and permeability of blood capillaries, resulting in extravasation of fluid. Medicaments potentially inducing urticaria are, among others, the following groups: analgesics, anaesthetics, antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensives, antifungals, corticosteroids, H2 blockers, cancer medicaments, muscle relaxants, thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors and vaccines. Medical history and being alert when administering and prescribing anaesthetics, analgesics and antibiotics are very important in the prevention or treatment of angioedema and/or urticaria.