Dr. Richard Besser discusses the study and implications with Diane Sawyer
(Medical News Today) University Hospitals Case Medical Center cardiologists have uncovered new research showing an increased risk of cancer with a group of blood pressure medications known as angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs).
This class of drugs is used by millions of patients not only for high blood pressure but also for heart failure, cardiovascular risk reduction and diabetic kidney disease.
University Hospitals Harrington-McLaughlin Heart & Vascular Institute’s Drs. Ilke Sipahi, Daniel I. Simon and James C. Fang recently completed a meta-analysis of over 60,000 patients randomly assigned to take either an ARB or a control medication. Their findings are published online at The Lancet Oncology.
The researchers found that patients randomized to ARBs has “significantly increased risk of new cancer” compared to control patients.
“We have found the risk of new cancers was increased with these medications by 8-11 percent,” said Dr. Ilke Sipahi, associate director of heart failure and transplantation and assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “Most importantly, risk of lung cancer was increased by 25 percent.”
However, the research did not establish any link between ARBs and other types of cancer such breast cancer.
“This is the first time an association between ARBs and cancer development is suggested,” Dr. Sipahi continued. “While our findings are robust, they need to be replicated in other studies before they can be considered as definitive.”
Before this study, there were no major safety concerns with ARBs except for their use in pregnancy and in patients with chronic kidney or blockages of kidney arteries. Interestingly, previous animal studies with ARBs have been negative for cancer development.
(7 votes, average: 3.57 out of 5)
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Interesting! The video is no longer available. Big-Pharma, moved quickly!
I was thinking the same thing! Video no longer available! Called my pharmacist and she knows nothing of this. I take Micardis and am curious.
They really want to hush this up, I,m checking my meds.
I’ve been taking Valturna and it’s a combo angiotensin-receptor blockers medicine. The medicine doesn’t even work on me, but has not given me side effects like other medicines. With this finding on cancer causing, it concerns and worries me. The FDA sure knows how to create deseases through their drugs. Sometimes I think that in the long run, hypertension should be left alone. Garlic, fish oil, grapefruit juice, and silica free canary seed works naturally and effectively for hypertension with no side effects.
It might be helpful to make available a list or link to BP med.’s with Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers.
Did big pharma move ?or there was not truth to it !!!!?
So which is worse, to continue taking the Benicar and risk cancer or stop and have elevated blood pressure? No one gets out alive anyhow.
8-11 percent may seem to be a small number but still is significant right? Especially to those who are already high-risk for cancer (those who smokes and family history of cancer). This is really interesting because many use ARBs.
Those of us who are taking this Blood pressure medicine needs to be informed immediately, including FDA, NHS and Canadian Health Deptt. What are alternatives available to us.
Rabifm
So why don’t you tell us the names of the medications that supposedly cause cancer. I am taking norvasc or the generic amlodipine 2.5 mg? My husband takes
beta blockers and amlodipine.
Thanks
To find the meds that are ARB’s just google it and you’ll find them……….
This sucks ! I am a kidney recipient and take lots of blood pressure medicines