Recent studies have raised questions about angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), a common medication used to lower blood pressure, and increased cancer risk. However, according to an analysis done by the FDA there is no increased cancer risk.

Concerns have been raised about taking calcium channel blockers in conjunction with certain antibiotics in a new study published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Pfizer is voluntarily removing the drug Thelin, meant to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, from the market and stopping all clinical trials based on new information showing that it is associated with liver toxicity and even fatal liver injury. The drug was approved in the European Union, Canada and Australia.

New information from ALLHAT, a major anti-hypertension study which included over 40,000 participants, recently released information showing that inexpensive diuretics outperformed expensive calcium blockers and ACE inhibitors over the course of the study when ability to lower blood pressure was not viewed as the only endpoint, but factors such as preventing stroke, heart failure and overall cardiovascular disease.

A recent meta-analysis published in Lancet Oncology has prompted the FDA to begin a review the safety of angiotensin receptor blockers after the study found that ARBs may be associated with an increase in cancer rates.
For more information visit “FDA to look into possible cancer risk with ARBs” by Lisa Nainggolan which can be found at http://www.theheart.org/article/1099535.do.