Three common medicines classified as carcinogenic by IARC; experts urge patients not to stop treatment | Explained
The WHO's cancer research agency, IARC, has classified three essential medicines—hydrochlorothiazide, voriconazole, and tacrolimus—as carcinogenic hazards. Experts emphasize that this classification identifies a potential hazard rather than a direct risk, and patients should not discontinue treatment without medical advice.
Why it matters
Clear communication regarding medical classifications is vital to prevent patients from abandoning life-saving treatments due to public alarm.
The story so far : Three widely prescribed medicines used to treat high blood pressure, life-threatening fungal infections and organ transplant rejection have been classified as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organisation’s specialised cancer research agency.
The three drugs — hydrochlorothiazide, voriconazole and tacrolimus — feature on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and are prescribed to millions of people worldwide. Hydrochlorothiazide is commonly used to treat hypertension, voriconazole is an antifungal medicine used to manage serious invasive fungal infections, while tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant that prevents rejection of transplanted organs.
Doctors note that the classification identifies a cancer hazard and should not be interpreted to mean that patients should stop taking the medicines.
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