{
  "id": 158777,
  "title": "Three common medicines classified as carcinogenic by IARC; experts urge patients not to stop treatment | Explained",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/three-common-medicines-classified-as-carcinogenic-by-iarc-experts",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-05T02:36:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu Health",
    "slug": "the-hindu-health",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/three-common-medicines-classified-as-carcinogenic-by-iarc-experts-urge-patients-not-to-stop-treatment-explained/article71307894.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three commonly prescribed medications, hydrochlorothiazide, voriconazole, and tacrolimus, have been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This classification, placed under Group 1, means these drugs are considered to have sufficient evidence to cause cancer in humans. The IARC, a specialized cancer research agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), made this announcement, highlighting a concerning finding about widely used medicines.\n\nThe three drugs, featured on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, are prescribed to millions of individuals globally. Hydrochlorothiazide, often used to manage hypertension, voriconazole as an antifungal treatment for serious invasive fungal infections, and tacrolimus as an immunosuppressant to prevent organ transplant rejection are all now classified in the highest risk category for cancer.\n\nDespite this classification, medical experts have urged patients not to discontinue their treatment. The WHO emphasizes the importance of balancing the benefits of these medications with their potential risks. Patients are advised to continue their prescribed treatment unless directed otherwise by their healthcare providers, who can assess individual circumstances and provide guidance based on the latest medical advice.",
  "summary": "The findings are relevant because all three medicines are routinely prescribed in India. Hydrochlorothiazide remains an inexpensive and widely available option for managing hypertension, particularly in combination with other blood pressure-lowering medicines",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu Health",
        "title": "Three common medicines classified as carcinogenic by WHO cancer agency",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/three-common-medicines-classified-as-carcinogenic-by-who-cancer-agency",
        "published": "2026-08-04T12:02:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}