Conditions and symptoms
What Is Angioedema? Swelling Warnings on Labels Explained
Angioedema · say it: AN-jee-oh-eh-DEE-muhAlso written: angio-oedema, angioneurotic edema
Short answer
Angioedema is swelling deep under the skin, often of the lips, face, tongue or throat. Swelling of the throat or tongue needs emergency help.
What it means
Angioedema is swelling in the deeper layers of the skin and the soft tissues just under it. It often affects the lips, eyelids, face, tongue, throat, hands or feet. If it affects the tongue or throat, or makes breathing or swallowing hard, it is an emergency and needs urgent medical help.
Labels warn about angioedema for some medicines, most famously ACE inhibitors used for blood pressure, and for allergic reactions to many medicines. With ACE inhibitors it can appear even after taking the medicine for a long time without trouble, which is why leaflets ask you to stop and seek help if your face, lips or tongue swell.
Angioedema is related to hives (urticaria), which are raised itchy welts on the surface of the skin. They can happen together. Angioedema can be part of anaphylaxis, but it can also happen on its own without a whole-body reaction.
Where you may see it
- The 'Warnings' section of ACE inhibitor labels
- Leaflets under 'Serious allergic reactions'
- Emergency department notes and allergy letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Angioedema of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis and/or larynx has been reported in patients treated with ACE inhibitors.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not mean ordinary ankle swelling. That is usually called edema and has different causes.
- It does not only happen right after starting a medicine. With some medicines it can occur much later.
- Being on the label does not mean it is common for you.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Angioedema”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Angioedema”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Albuterol
A bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) of the beta-2 adrenergic type. The FDA class is not listed, so this description comes from the label's own wording.
- Alendronate
a bisphosphonate, a medicine that slows the breakdown of bone by blocking cells called osteoclasts
- Alprazolam
a benzodiazepine, a type of central nervous system medicine
- Azithromycin
a macrolide antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine
- Cephalexin
a cephalosporin antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections)
- Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
- Divalproex Sodium
An anti-epileptic (anti-seizure) drug of the valproate type. The label also uses it to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
- Enalapril
An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
- Estradiol
An estrogen hormone medicine
- Fluconazole
an azole antifungal medicine, a type of medicine that treats fungal (yeast) infections
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Angioedema” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.