Common Prescription Meds’ Cancer Risk: Lesser Known Facts
Many children and adults take prescription medicines each day. Even though people are regularly exposed to these drugs, there is little information provided to consumers when it comes to cancer risk.
The research team at Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPMCP) seeks to provide more details to consumers regarding taking certain prescriptions and the likelihood of developing cancer. These findings were published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control.
Here are a few common prescription medications that can increase the risk of cancer.
Fluoxetine and Paroxetine
Both of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. Paroxetine and fluoxetine were connected to higher instances of testicular cancer. Researchers found that there were 14 instances of cancer in people who used fluoxetine for 10 months. There were 11 cases of cancer in individuals who used paroxetine for 10 months.
The researchers emphasize that more lab tests are necessary to determine how to lower these risks. These medications were also tested for breast cancer risk and there was no relationship between taking fluoxetine or paroxetine and developing breast cancer.
Hydrochlorothiazide
The research revealed that there were 147 lip cancer cases in patients who took the hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic. The risk of developing this type of cancer was 2.29 in patients who took the medication for an average of 58 months. There was a weak connection between lung and lip cancer, which indicates that lip cancer development from smoking is not very likely.
When it comes to the oral cavity, lip cancer is the most common and accounts for up to 30% of oral lesions. About 90% of lip cancer cases occur on the bottom lip due to high exposure to the sun — the upper lip is significantly blocked by the sun because of the nose.
Hyoscyamine
Hyoscyamine is naturally occurring in plants and is classified as belladonna. Belladonna is an Italian term that means “beautiful woman.” Plants that fall in this category dilate the pupils, which are believed to give the face a softened look.
Hyoscyamine is a gastrointestinal medicine that reacts to the sweat, bronchial, and salivary glands. This medicine decreases secretions and can change the heart rate and the way the bladder muscles contract. People take this medicine to treat Parkinson’s disease, as well as cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and colic.
There were 23 reported cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma related to taking hyoscyamine after taking the medication for an average of four months. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most common forms of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, around 77,240 people will be diagnosed with this type of cancer by the close of 2020.
Oxazepam
Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine that transforms slowly in the body after it is absorbed. The medicine is unlikely to cause pharmacokinetic reactions, which is why it is often prescribed to elderly individuals and patients with liver disease. Oxazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders and some doctors prescribe it to assist addicts who are suffering from alcohol withdrawal.
Researchers discovered that oxazepam was connected to 117 lung cancer cases after patients used it for an average of nine months. The results could be higher in those who smoke. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Annually, people die from lung cancer more than prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined.
Some prescriptions might do more harm than good and drug injury attorneys are available for unfortunate instances. If you’ve been prescribed a medication to treat a health condition and have developed cancer, you may be entitled to compensation, which can include payment for your medical bills. It’s important to contact a drug injury lawyer as soon as possible to go over the details of your case and find out if you are eligible for a settlement.
