Pubdate: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 1999 Los Angeles Times Contact: Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053 Fax: (213) 237-4712 Website: http://www.latimes.com/ Forum: http://www.latimes.com/home/discuss/ Author: Joe Graedon, Teresa Graedon Note: Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Send questions to them at People's Pharmacy, care of King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017, or e-mail them at Website: http://www.peoplespharmacy.com. DRUGS CAN CAUSE MALE BREAST GROWTH Question: Please tell me about drug-induced gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men). Taking Haldol has caused weight gain and given me breasts that now resemble those of the opposite sex. My doctor says that if I lose weight through diet and exercise, this abnormality will disappear. I have been dieting for two years with no change in the size of my chest. Will dieting ever help, or do I need cosmetic surgery? This abnormality has caused me shame and depression, and made others question my sexual orientation. Answer: A surprising number of drugs can cause male breast enlargement. Haldol and other psychotherapeutic agents are well-known for this side effect. Other drugs that may trigger this response include Aldactone, estrogen, Lanoxin, marijuana, Nizoral, Tagamet theophylline, and cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor. Although this reaction may go away once the medicine is discontinued, no one should ever stop a prescription drug without medical supervision. Your doctor might be willing to prescribe an alternative to Haldol that is less likely to cause gynecomastia. If the problem does not disappear, cosmetic surgery such as liposuction could be considered. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D