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What Causes Tongue Swelling Allergic Reaction?

Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015

Question: I have been taking Brilinta for 1year and 7 months due to heart attack and stent placement. I recently was admitted to the ER for an allergic reaction (tongue swelling) 2 times in two weeks. My cardiologist told me to talk to my family Dr. I am afraid to take anything right now. I am on Isosorbide, Coreg and Amolodipine as well. What could be causing the reaction? They told me not to take any aspirin...that may be the problem

I also use a full face cpap machine and the swelling happens when I wake up in the morning after wearing the mask. Don't know if this has anything to do with it. No one has any answers.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This is likely due to the CPAP and not these medications!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about what you have reported. I think you have been taking these drugs for so long that to develop allergies to these at this time would be very unlikely. Tongue swelling is not typical of aspirin allergy.

Having noticed this twice in the morning after using clap could be related to the cpap positioning and not aspirin. I will advise that you continue with your medications as prescribed. These medications are safe and how long you have been taking them suggest that they are very unlikely to be at the origin of this tongue swelling.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (16 minutes later)

thank you for your response. I wanted to add that the physicians at the ER said that it was a anaphylactic reaction to either Aspirin or Lipitor. They have taken me off both. When I asked them about the CPAP, they said they didn't think so but it always happens at the same time in the early AM 5:30 AM after wearing the CPAP. Your advice is so appreciated as my cardiologist will not provide any answers. They have me on 20mg of steroids and also benedryl for 10 days.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I am not sure it resembles anaphylaxis!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the follow up. I am not sure this is suggestive of anaphylaxis. It is easy to think it is angioedema but I am not buying into that at this time. It doesn't hurt getting the prednisone and benadryl for a short course. If it were the cpap you would still have it at some point and then they would be able to see why aspirin might not have been the cause.

Keep me updated. I wish you well.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar