A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of the Incidence of Cancer in Randomized, Controlled Trials of Verapamil

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of all published randomized, controlled trials to assess the risk of cancer or death in patients receiving verapamil for hypertension, angina pectoris, or cardiac arrhythmias. Meta‐analysis comparing the risk of new cancers, cancer deaths, and all deaths was performed. Thirty‐nine trials comprising 11,201 patients were eligible. Study durations ranged from 8 days‐6 years (mean 29.5 wks). Nine trials (6507 patients) were 24 weeks in duration or longer. For cancer and cancer death, OR was 1.20 (95% CI = 0.60–2.42) for verapamil versus active controls and 0.73 (95% CI = 0.39–1.39) for verapamil versus placebo. For all deaths, OR was 1.13 (95% CI = 0.70–1.82) for verapamil versus active controls and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.71–1.00) for verapamil versus placebo. Sensitivity analysis for the 9 trials 24 weeks' duration or longer gave similar results. There is no statistically significant increased risk of cancer or deaths with verapamil compared with active controls or placebo.