Risk of drug-induced angioedema: a pharmacovigilance study of FDA adverse event reporting system database

Objective The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to identify drug adverse reaction signals associated with angioedema. The findings aim to provide valuable insights for clinical drug safety considerations. Methods The Open Vigil 2.1 data platform was utilized to collect adverse event reports related to angioedema from the first quarter of 2004 to the fourth quarter of 2023. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) and proportional reporting ratio (PRR) were employed as disproportionality measures to detect adverse reaction signals Sof drugs associated with angioedema. Results A total of 38,921 reports were retrieved, with the majority being reported by healthcare professionals. The analysis included predominantly adult patients (≥18 years of age), with slightly higher representation of females compared to males. Among the top 30 drugs associated with the occurrence of angioedema, 24 drugs showed positive signals in the risk analysis. Based on the individual drug reporting odds ratio (95% confidence interval) as a measure of risk signal strength, the top five drugs are as follows: lisinopril ROR (95% CI): 46.43 (42.59–50.62), enalapril ROR (95% CI): 43.51 (39.88–47.46), perindopril ROR (95% CI): 31.17 (27.5–35.32), alteplase ROR (95% CI): 29.3 (26.95–31.85), ramipril ROR (95% CI): 20.93 (19.66–22.28). After categorizing the drugs, the strongest positive signal was observed in the antithrombotic agents ROR (95% CI): 22.53 (21.16–23.99), following that, cardiovascular drugs ROR (95% CI): 9.17 (8.87–9.48), antibiotics ROR (95% CI): 6.42 (5.91–6.96), immunosuppressors ROR (95% CI): 5.95 (5.55–6.39), anti-inflammatory analgesics ROR (95% CI): 4.65 (4.45–4.86), antiallergic drugs ROR (95% CI): 4.47 (3.99–5), antiasthmatics ROR (95% CI): 2.49 (2.14–2.89), blood sugar control drugs ROR (95% CI): 1.65 (1.38–1.97), and digestive system drugs ROR (95% CI): 1.59 (1.45–1.74) exhibited progressively decreasing ROR values. Conclusion Many medications are associated with a high risk of angioedema. These medications play a crucial and potentially preventable role in controlling the occurrence of angioedema. It is essential to consider the risk level of drug-induced angioedema in clinical practice to optimize medication therapy.