Beware beta-adrenergic blockers in patients with severe urticaria!
The risks of beta-blockers in asthmatics are well known. However, there are increasing reports of severe, and often refractory, anaphylaxis in patients taking beta-blockers who experience other allergic phenomena. We describe the case of a 69-year-old lady with long-standing recurrent angio-oedema and giant urticaria who was placed on atenolol. Mechanisms whereby beta-blockers may precipitate or exacerbate anaphylaxis are outlined and the treatment of patients with anaphylaxis, taking beta-blockers, is discussed.
Howard
P J
PJ
Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Lee
M R
MR
D000368:Aged; D000799:Angioedema / Q000150:complications*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001262:Atenolol