(RxWiki News) Terror, panic and worries raises blood pressure. And that's just what the millions of people in this country living with high blood pressure felt last year. Today, they can take a long sigh.
A 2010 review of five clinical trials uncovered a possible link between a popular class of drugs - Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) - and increased cancer links. After a safety review, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that ARBs do not, in fact, increase cancer risks.
"ARBs - blood pressure medicines - don't increase cancer risks."
In its evaluation, the largest of its kind exploring the association between ARBs and cancer, the FDA analyzed 31 randomized clinical trials and 156,000 patients. The study looked at two groups of patients - those taking ARBs compared to patients taking non-ARB treatments.
In reaching its conclusion, the FDA reported that its review and analysis of all available data showed no link between the use of ARBs and increased risk of cancer. The study also found no association between ARBs and breast, lung and prostate cancers or cancer-related deaths.
The FDA has approved the use of the following ARBs:
- Atacand (candesartan)
- Avapro (irbesartan)
- Benicar (olmesartan)
- Cozaar (losartan)
- Diovan (valsartan)
- Micardis (telmisartan)
- Teveten (eprosartan)
Combination Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
- Atacand HCT (candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide)
- Avalide (irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide)
- Azor (olmesartan and amlodipine)
- Benicar HCT (olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide)
- Diovan HCT (valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide)
- Exforge (valsartan and amlodipine)
- Exforge HCT (valsartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide)
- Hyzaar(losartan and hydrochlorothiazide)
- Micardis HCT (telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide)
- Teveten HCT (eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide)
- Twynsta (telmisartan and amlodipine)
- Valturna (valsartan and aliskiren)
If you are taking any of these medications and have questions, please contact your medical care provider.
