Study Says Some Blood Pressure Drugs May Cause Cancer

In a recent meta-analysis of nine studies, researchers have found that blood pressure drugs known as angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) may lead to an increased risk of cancer. According to Dr. Ilke Sipahi and his colleagues at Case Western University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, ARBs were associated with an 8 percent increase in the risk of a new cancer. ARBs include Diovan, Micardis, Blopress, Atacand, Armias and Cozaar.

As a result of the new findings, some medical experts are calling for federal regulators to further investigate the drugs in question, while urging medical practitioners to use the drugs with caution and prescribe an alternative treatment, such as an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, whenever possible.

Other experts, though, have challenged the findings, calling the study flawed. Many claim that in addition to being too short, the study lacks plausible evidence regarding how the drugs cause cancer.

However, most experts agreed that the study could be interpreted as a "signal" to both researchers and federal regulators of dangers associated with ARBs, which are currently used by tens of millions of patients. In 2009 alone, more than 82 million patients were prescribed one of the ARB drugs in question.

The ARBs Study

During the meta-analysis, Dr. Sipahi and colleagues analyzed the previous results of nine studies and concluded that about 94,210 patients using ARBs developed a new cancer. The studies included scientific data on four drugs: Cozaar, Atacand, Micardis and Diovan.

The absolute risk increase for cancer in the study was 1.2 percent over a four-year period. For perspective, the lifetime risk of cancer for the general population is approximately 41 percent.

Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers (ARBs) Lawsuits

While the latest findings of the increased risk of cancer as a result of ARBs may not be enough to prove a defective drugs case at this time, the skilled Pensacola personal injury lawyers of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz, PLLC, are closely monitoring the latest information and are ready to represent any victims who may have developed cancer as a result of an ARB.

The law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz boast some of the most qualified personal injury lawyers in Pensacola. They have represented and obtained substantial compensation for a number of individuals who have been harmed by defective drugs. To learn more about filing a defective drug lawsuit, please contact AWKO law today at (888) 255-2956.