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[Drug-induced gynecomastia]
F C Hugues1, C Gourlot, C Le Jeunne
1Service de Médecine Interne II, Hôpital Laennec, Faculté de Médecine Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris.
Annales De Medecine Interne
|April 13, 2000
Summary
Drug-induced gynecomastia is common, often caused by hormonal imbalances or elevated prolactin. Various medications, including antiandrogens and chemotherapy, can lead to this condition.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Gynecomastia, the enlargement of male breast tissue, can be a side effect of numerous medications.
- Understanding drug-induced gynecomastia is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient management.
Purpose:
- To review common and less common medications implicated in causing gynecomastia.
- To discuss the mechanisms behind drug-induced gynecomastia, focusing on hormonal imbalances.
Summary:
- Drugs frequently cause gynecomastia by altering the serum estrogen/androgen ratio or increasing prolactin levels.
- Common culprits include sex hormones, antiandrogens, spironolactone, cimetidine, verapamil, and alkylating agents.
- Other potential agents include diazepam, antidepressants, neuroleptics, calcium channel blockers, captopril, and omeprazole.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of considering medication history in patients presenting with gynecomastia.
- Provides a comprehensive overview of drugs associated with gynecomastia for healthcare professionals.
- Discusses diagnostic criteria for establishing drug causality in gynecomastia cases.