Solifenacin-induced acute urticaria and angioedema: a rare adverse effect

Postgrad Med J. 2022 Jun;98(1160):420-421. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-138375. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

Abstract

Antimuscarinics are first-line medication for management of overactive bladder with solifenacin being commonly prescribed. Angioedema is the swelling of mucosa and submucosal tissue. There are no published case reports of drug-induced angioedema involving solifenacin. We report a case of a 41-year-old man with spinal cord injury who presented with oedema of face, lips, tongue and associated pruritic urticaria after taking 5 mg of solifenacin. All other possible causes including food allergy, insect bite, hereditary angioedema, use of NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors and antibiotics were ruled out. The temporal association between solifenacin and angioedema and complete resolution of symptoms after discontinuing the drug suggest that solifenacin was the most probable cause of angioedema in our patient.

Keywords: adverse events; rehabilitation medicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angioedema* / chemically induced
  • Angioedema* / drug therapy
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Male
  • Solifenacin Succinate / adverse effects
  • Tongue Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Urticaria* / chemically induced

Substances

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Solifenacin Succinate