About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Heart Drug may Up Cancer Risk

by Sheela Philomena on April 9, 2013 at 10:37 AM
 Heart Drug may Up Cancer Risk

In men, use of amiodarone drug was found to increase the risk of developing cancer, shows study published in CANCER.

Amiodarone was approved in 1985 for the treatment of arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. Because the drug is fat-soluble and degrades very slowly, large amounts can accumulate in soft tissues after a long-term prescription. Previous studies have shown that amiodarone might increase the risk of certain cancers, but no large-scale study has looked at the issue.

Advertisement

To investigate, Vincent Yi-Fong Su, MD, of the Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, and his colleagues studied 6,418 individuals taking the drug, following them for an average of 2.57 years. A total of 280 participants developed cancer.

Patients who were male or who received high cumulative daily doses of amiodarone within the first year had an increased risk of developing cancer. Those with both factors were 46 percent more likely to develop cancer than those with neither factor. After taking age, sex, and illnesses into account, individuals taking a high amount of amiodarone had nearly twice the risk of developing cancer as those taking a low amount of the drug.
Advertisement

"We suggest that cancer events should be routinely reported in future amiodarone trials, and further observational research is necessary," said Dr. Su. "Also, when prescribing amiodarone, doctors need to keep in mind that this medication may increase cancer risk."

Source: Eurekalert
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Drug News

Projected Growth: Psychedelic Drug Market Anticipated to Hit $7.2 Billion by 2029
The psychedelic market set for remarkable growth, projected to hit $7.2B by 2029 with a strong 55% CAGR.
Promising ALS Drug Candidate Extends Lifespan
The study explores whether CDNF could influence the progression of ALS in rodent models and to elucidate the mechanism through which it operates.
Amoxicillin-Calvulanate Vs Amoxicillin Preference in Child Sinusitis Treatment
Amoxicillin-clavulanate use in acute sinusitis patients is associated with a higher incidence of adverse events.
ADHD Medication Errors Surge by Nearly 300%
Professionals advocate for enhanced education of patients and caregivers, and creation of more effective child-resistant systems for monitoring ADHD medication.
Unknown Medication Side Effects Reported by 52% of Indian Families
In June, WHO raised concerns about 7 Indian cough syrups after complaints from several countries about contamination and health issues.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Heart Drug may Up Cancer Risk Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests