BP Drugs And Lip Cancer

Long term use of commonly prescribed blood pressure medications is associated with an increased risk of lip cancer in non-Hispanic whites , according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine . The study of 23,000 non-Hispanic whites that were using diuretic hydrochlorothiazide with or with out triamterene , lisinopril , nifedipine or atenolol ....the results showed that the risk for developing squamous cell lip cancer was higher among those who received all except the drug atenolol for long-term use.The study concluded that although lip cancer is rare an increased risk of developing it is generally outweighed by the benefit of these blood pressure drugs. Physicians who are prescribing these photosensitizing drugs should be aware of the patients risk for developing skin cancer by virture of fair skin , long term sun exposure and the ability to discuss lip protection .