Cancer Risk Linked to Blood Pressure Drugs
by Sokolove Staff on Jun.15, 2010
Millions of patients who take commonly prescribed blood pressure drugs could face an increased cancer risk.
Reuters reports that a study published online in The Lancet Oncology found that patients who took medications known as angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) were 1.2 percent more likely to receive a new diagnosis of cancer over four years than those who did not use the drugs. The study analyzed data from earlier trials of ARBs.
Drugs in this class include Micardis (telmisartan), Cozaar (iosartan); Diovan (valsartan); Avapro (irbesartan); Benicar (olmesartan); and Teveten (eprosartan). ARBs work by blocking receptors for the hormone angiotensin II, which causes blood pressure to rise.
Researchers said the cancer risk posed by ARBs was “modest but significant” and urged regulators to further study this finding, according to Reuters.
As always, do not make any medication changes without consulting with your doctor.
