Increased risk of SCC of lip tied to hydrochlorothiazide treatment

On the back of other recent research suggesting the possibility of increased risk of skin cancer associated with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) treatment, an Australian case control study sought to determine the risk of lip cancer and malignant melanoma among people prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. For those with lip cancer (45 cases), ever‐use of HCTZ was associated with an OR of 2.6 (95% CI: 1.4‐5.0) and high HCTZ use (≥25 000 mg lifetime exposure) had an OR of 4.7 (95% CI: 1.6‐13.7). The data was less convincing for cutaneous melanoma (659 cases): ever‐use of HCTZ resulted in an OR of 1.2 (95% CI 1.0‐1.5) and high HCTZ use in an OR of 1.2 (95% CI: 0.8‐1.8). The researchers advocate advising older patients to limit sun exposure or have more frequent skin checks. See more about the study here