Which class of agents is known to cause altered taste and angioedema?

ACE inhibitors are known to cause specific side effects, including altered taste and angioedema, which is a swelling of the deeper layers of the skin and mucous membranes. One of the unique properties of ACE inhibitors is their effect on bradykinin metabolism. By inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), these agents can increase bradykinin levels, leading to vascular permeability changes that contribute to angioedema.

Additionally, altered taste, particularly a metallic taste, can occur due to the effects of ACE inhibitors on the salivary glands and overall oral mucosa. These side effects are less commonly associated with other antihypertensive classes, which typically do not share the same mechanism that leads to increased bradykinin levels or have different effects on neurotransmitter pathways involved in taste perception.

In contrast, ARBs selectively block the angiotensin II receptor but do not affect bradykinin metabolism significantly, which explains why they do not commonly cause angioedema. Angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitors combine effects of ARBs with neprilysin inhibition, and while they can have side effects, they do not typically include altered taste or angioedema as prominent features. Calcium channel