Angioedema and Urticaria Associated with Fluoxetine in a Preadolescent Boy

Abstract

Angioedema is defined as increased permeability and dilatation of the capillaries in the deep dermis or subcutaneous or submucosal tissues leading to localized swelling, often affecting the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. It can also be observed as a rare adverse effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, as is the case with many other drugs. Here, we report a 10-year-old boy who had urticaria with fluoxetine use, showed recovery after cessation of the drug, and manifested with urticaria and angioedema after re-prescription. In the literature, there are two previous case reports of angioedema with fluoxetine. One case of angioedema accompanied by urticaria and showed a flu-like presentation 2 days after ingestion of high-dose fluoxetine. The other case, reporting angioedema with 10 mg/day, was without urticaria and thought to be a pseudoallergic reaction. We assume that our case is unique in this respect for that angioedema developed with therapeutic doses and thought to be allergic.

Keywords

• Adverse effect
• angioedema
• child
• fluoxetine
• urticaria