Unexpected cause of Kounis syndrome: hypersensitivity reaction to omeprazole

• Published in: BMJ case reports Vol. 16; no. 10; p. e254799
• Main Authors: Erdem, Almina, Çınar, Tufan, Kılıç, Şahhan, Öztürk, Nazlı Begüm
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 24.10.2023
• Subjects: Acute coronary syndromes; Anaphylaxis - chemically induced; Anaphylaxis - diagnosis; Asymptomatic; Cardiovascular disease; Case reports; Clinical medicine; Coronary vessels; Drugs; Emergency medical care; Fitness equipment; Humans; Ischemia; Kounis Syndrome - complications; Kounis Syndrome - etiology; Medical diagnosis; Medical imaging; Metabolism; Metabolites; Nitrates; Omeprazole - adverse effects; Pain; Patients; Proton Pump Inhibitors - adverse effects; Skin; Steroids; Vein & artery diseases; Clinical diagnostic tests; Allergy, asthma; Drugs: gastrointestinal system; Interventional cardiology; Ischaemic heart disease
• ISSN: 1757-790X; 1757-790X
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-254799

Kounis syndrome is a rare type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that occurs as a result of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction. Kounis syndrome can be induced by various medications including antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, antihypertensive medications, corticosteroids, and antineoplastic medications. Additionally, cases of Kounis syndrome associated with lansoprazole and pantoprazole have been previously reported in the literature. In this report, we present a case of Kounis syndrome associated with omeprazole use, and discuss the need for a high index of suspicion as it is often underrecognised.