cardiovascular-agents and Gynecomastia

Topics: Adult; Anabolic Agents; Androgen Antagonists; Breast Neoplasms, Male; Cardiovascular Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Gynecomastia; Humans; Klinefelter Syndrome; Leydig Cell Tumor; Lipectomy; Male; Mastectomy, Subcutaneous; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Prostatic Neoplasms; Puberty; Risk Factors; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; Tamoxifen; Testicular Neoplasms; Young Adult

Drugs are a very common cause of gynecomastia and should always be entertained as the possible causal agent of such a condition. This drug side-effect is due to an impaired balance in the serum estrogen/serum androgen ratio, whatever the mechanism, or a rise in prolactin level. Sex hormones, antiandrogens, are frequently involved as well as spironolactone, cimetidine, verapamil and cancer chemotherapy (especially alkylating agents). Diazepam, tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, calcium channel blockers, captopril, digitalis glycosides, omeprazole, some antibiotics and growth hormone are all possibly, but less often, the responsible agent. Criteria of the French method for determining drug causality are discussed.

Topics: Androgen Antagonists; Androgens; Antineoplastic Agents; Cardiovascular Agents; Estrogens; Gastrointestinal Agents; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Gynecomastia; Humans; Male; Prolactin; Psychotropic Drugs