Hypertension Drugs and Cancer- - NCI Cancer Bulletin for June 14, 2011 - National Cancer Institute

Hypertension Drugs and Cancer

After reviewing data from 31 randomized clinical trials, the FDA has concluded that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)—drugs that are used to treat high blood pressure—do not increase the risk of cancer.

The FDA announced last July that it would perform a safety review of ARBs after a published analysis of five randomized clinical trials with roughly 62,000 participants found a small but statistically significant increased risk of cancer in patients taking the drugs.

The FDA's more comprehensive analysis of 31 trials with about 156,000 participants showed no increased risk of cancer among patients taking ARBs. In addition, the FDA's analysis found no evidence of an association between ARBs and cancer-related death.

For more information, see the FDA's news release ►Press Announcements > FDA: Treatment with angiotensin receptor blockers for high blood pressure does not increase risk of cancer.

NCI Cancer Bulletin for June 14, 2011 - National Cancer Institute