High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious health concern in Australia. More than one in three adults over 18 have this condition, and if it’s not treated properly, it can lead to major problems like strokes, heart attacks, and other types of heart disease.
Many people rely on medications to help keep their blood pressure at a safe level. One of the most commonly prescribed drugs is hydrochlorothiazide.
Hydrochlorothiazide has been used for many years to treat high blood pressure. It helps the body get rid of extra salt and water by increasing urine production, which lowers blood pressure.
However, new research from UNSW Sydney suggests that this drug may come with a hidden risk—especially for older people. The study found that taking hydrochlorothiazide might raise the chance of developing certain types of skin cancer.
The problem seems to be that hydrochlorothiazide makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight. When the skin becomes more vulnerable to UV rays, it’s easier for sun damage to occur, which can lead to skin cancers over time. While this side effect isn’t new, the Australian study adds more evidence that the risk could be real and worth paying attention to.
The research team, led by Dr. Benjamin Daniels, looked at detailed health data provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The study focused on people aged 65 and older who were living in New South Wales and had a DVA healthcare card.
The data covered the years 2004 to 2015 and included records of hospital stays, prescriptions, and cancer diagnoses. Importantly, all the information was anonymous, meaning no personal identities were revealed.
The study compared people who took hydrochlorothiazide and later developed lip cancer or melanoma (a serious form of skin cancer) to over 13,000 people who didn’t have these cancers. They found 45 people with lip cancer and 659 with melanoma.
The researchers discovered that people taking hydrochlorothiazide had a higher risk of getting melanoma and squamous cell cancer of the lip. The longer someone had been taking the drug, the greater the risk seemed to be, especially for lip cancer.
Still, the researchers are not telling people to stop taking their medicine. That could be dangerous, especially for those with high blood pressure. Instead, they recommend that patients talk with their doctors.
Doctors may want to check their patients’ skin more regularly or offer advice on sun safety. For example, wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding the sun when UV levels are high can all help reduce the risk.
Because of this study and others like it, the official safety information for hydrochlorothiazide has been updated. Doctors and pharmacists are being made aware of the possible connection between the drug and skin cancer so they can make the best decisions for their patients’ health.
High blood pressure can be managed through a mix of medication and healthy lifestyle habits like eating well, staying active, avoiding too much salt, and not smoking.
For people who are concerned about this news, it’s important to remember that stopping blood pressure medication suddenly can be very risky. Any changes to treatment should always be discussed with a healthcare provider.
This study, published in Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, is a helpful reminder that all medicines have both benefits and possible side effects. Understanding these risks means doctors and patients can work together to find the safest and most effective treatment plan.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drug that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about nutrient that could strongly lower high blood pressure, and results showing this novel antioxidant may help reverse blood vessels aging by 20 years.
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