Which drug class is known to induce hypercalcemia?

Which drug class is known to induce hypercalcemia?

• A. Thiazide diuretics
• B. ACE inhibitors
• C. Beta blockers
• D. Statins

Answer: (A)

Drugs that raise serum calcium do so by increasing calcium retention in the body, especially in the kidneys. Thiazide diuretics block the Na-Cl transporter in the distal convoluted tubule, which indirectly boosts calcium reabsorption in that segment. With less calcium lost in the urine, serum calcium can rise, particularly in people with predispositions like hyperparathyroidism or low volume states. Other listed drugs—ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and statins—do not promote calcium retention and are not typically associated with hypercalcemia. So thiazide diuretics are the class that can induce hypercalcemia.

Drugs that raise serum calcium do so by increasing calcium retention in the body, especially in the kidneys. Thiazide diuretics block the Na-Cl transporter in the distal convoluted tubule, which indirectly boosts calcium reabsorption in that segment. With less calcium lost in the urine, serum calcium can rise, particularly in people with predispositions like hyperparathyroidism or low volume states. Other listed drugs—ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and statins—do not promote calcium retention and are not typically associated with hypercalcemia. So thiazide diuretics are the class that can induce hypercalcemia.