High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a long-term health condition that affects more than one-third of Australian adults. If not properly managed, it can lead to serious problems such as heart disease and stroke.
Many people take medication to control their blood pressure, but a recent study from UNSW Sydney has found that one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for high blood pressure, hydrochlorothiazide, may increase the risk of skin cancer in older adults.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, meaning it helps the body remove extra water and salt to lower blood pressure. However, it also makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight. This increased sensitivity may raise the risk of developing certain types of skin cancer, particularly in people who take the drug for a long time.
The study was based on health data from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which included medical records of Australians aged 65 and older living in New South Wales between 2004 and 2015. Researchers analyzed information on cancer diagnoses, hospital visits, and prescription medications.
They compared hydrochlorothiazide use in people diagnosed with either lip cancer (45 cases) or malignant melanoma (659 cases) to a control group of 13,300 people without these cancers.
The results showed a higher risk of developing malignant melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer, as well as squamous cell carcinoma of the lip (lip cancer) in those taking hydrochlorothiazide. For lip cancer, the risk appeared to increase the longer a person had been using the medication.
Despite these findings, researchers caution that people should not stop taking hydrochlorothiazide without consulting their doctor. The risk of skin cancer is something doctors should be aware of when prescribing this medication.
They may consider checking their patients’ skin more regularly and reminding them to take precautions, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding direct sun exposure during peak UV hours.
To reflect these findings, the official product information for hydrochlorothiazide has been updated to include this potential risk.
The study, conducted by Dr. Benjamin Daniels and his team, was published in Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. It adds to previous international research suggesting a link between hydrochlorothiazide and skin cancer. More research is needed to fully understand the risks and whether alternative medications might be safer for some patients.
For those managing high blood pressure, it remains important to follow medical advice and take steps to protect their skin from the sun, especially if they are taking hydrochlorothiazide.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
