Spironolactone Therapy and Gynecomastia

Abstract

SINCE THE clinical introduction of spironolactone in 1957, there have been several reports of gynecomastia in men receiving this diuretic. These have appeared either as individual case reports or as an incidental single observation in a group of patients undergoing metabolic studies during treatment with spironolactone. Since only six cases of pathological conditions of the breast developing during treatment with spironolactone have been reported to date,^1-6 the impression might be gained that this is an uncommon complication. No data have hitherto appeared which would permit a more accurate judgment of the frequency of this side effect. The following group of cases is being reported because the author's own experience suggests that pathological breast alterations in men receiving spironolactone may be quite common. Material The Table comprises a consecutive group of spironolactone-treated patients from the author's own practice. There were seven men and five women. It is evident that pathological