The Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Montenegro, CALMIS, warned physicians and patients on the side effects of high blood pressure medications and those for treating heart disease as they consist of hydrochlorothiazide, a substance that may cause a non-melanoma skin cancer.
Deputy Director of the Agency, Željka Božović, said there’s no need to panic, adding that patients suffering from cardiovascular disease must not interrupt with their medications. “Patients already taking medicines for treating cardiovascular diseases must not cease to do it and they mustn’t interrupt their treatment unless their physician approves so,” said Božović and added that hydrochlorothiazide has been vastly used for decades and no one ever suggested for it to be withdrawn from the markets.
“The Agency sent a letter to physicians along with recommendations given by the relevant Committee of the European Medicines Agency. The recommendations suggest that physicians should pay attention to patients using hydrochlorothiazide in their treatment, and in case of any skin change, further medical observations of those patients must be conducted, while patients must be informed about potential risks and need for regular controls,” Božović suggested.
