Can long-term use of antihypertensive drugs cause cancer?

Pfizer's official website shows that on March 21, they officially recalled a blood pressure drug Accuratic and two generic drugs authorized to other companies in the United States because they contained high levels of potentially carcinogenic impurities nitrosamines

Antihypertensive drugs are exposed to excessive amounts of carcinogenic impurities, and this happens repeatedly

In 2021, Aprovel (generic name: irbesartan tablets), CoAprovel (generic name: hydrochlorothiazide irbesartan tablets) and Rovelito will be recalled due to excessive "azide" impurities;

In 2018, some valsartans were recalled due to excess N-nitrosodimethylamine impurities

In response to the recall, Pfizer said high blood pressure patients taking the drug are not at immediate risk, but those currently taking the drug should consult their physicians for alternative treatment options

This news must have made many hypertensive patients unable to sit still

Antihypertensive drugs have been found to contain carcinogenic impurities

In fact, nitrosamine impurities are not artificially added, but inevitable impurities in the specific synthesis process of specific drugs, which are related to the drug synthesis process

CDE pointed out that when the daily intake of nitrosamine impurities is about 96ng based on a body weight of 50KG, the risk of developing a tumor is about one in 100,000

For some people with high blood pressure who are taking medication, they are most afraid to hear that there is a problem with the medication

Do hypertensive patients who are taking medication still need to take medication?

People with high blood pressure should never stop treatment without medical advice! Antihypertensive drugs not only lower blood pressure, but also protect organs

If the drug company finds a problem, the drug will be automatically recalled

Even if the medicines taken do not meet the standard, it is not recommended to stop the medicines without authorization, but to change the medicines under the guidance of a professional doctor

Antihypertensive drugs contain potential carcinogens, which does not mean that antihypertensive drugs themselves have carcinogens, but some people still worry that long-term use of antihypertensive drugs will cause cancer

Can long-term use of antihypertensive drugs cause cancer?

In April 2021, a study was published in The Lancet-Oncology

The studies included more than 260,000 subjects, 15,000 of whom had cancer

As far as current medical technology is concerned, most hypertension cannot be "cured radically", and many patients can only achieve "clinical cure" through drug treatment and life>

Although taking antihypertensive drugs does not cause cancer, you must strictly follow your doctor's orders
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So if you have any questions, talk to your doctor!