Gynecomastia is a potential adverse effect of which diuretic class?

Gynecomastia is a potential adverse effect of which diuretic class?

• A. Potassium-sparing diuretics
• B. Loop diuretics
• C. Thiazide diuretics
• D. Osmotic diuretics

Answer: (A)

Gynecomastia with potassium-sparing diuretics is linked to antiandrogen effects. Spironolactone, a common potassium-sparing diuretic, blocks androgen receptors and reduces testosterone activity, which can cause breast tissue enlargement in men. Eplerenone is more selective for aldosterone receptors and has far less antiandrogen impact, so gynecomastia is much less common with it. Other diuretic classes—loop, thiazide, and osmotic—do not typically cause this side effect because they don’t have antiandrogen activity. So gynecomastia is a potential adverse effect of potassium-sparing diuretics, especially spironolactone.

Gynecomastia with potassium-sparing diuretics is linked to antiandrogen effects. Spironolactone, a common potassium-sparing diuretic, blocks androgen receptors and reduces testosterone activity, which can cause breast tissue enlargement in men. Eplerenone is more selective for aldosterone receptors and has far less antiandrogen impact, so gynecomastia is much less common with it. Other diuretic classes—loop, thiazide, and osmotic—do not typically cause this side effect because they don’t have antiandrogen activity. So gynecomastia is a potential adverse effect of potassium-sparing diuretics, especially spironolactone.