Asia Pac Allergy.  2015 Jul;5(3):187-190. 10.5415/apallergy.2015.5.3.187.

Gynecomastia induced by H1-antihistamine (ebastine) in a patient with idiopathic anaphylaxis

• Jung HS
• Park CH
• Park YT
• Bae MA
• Lee YI
• Kang BJ
• Jegal Y
• Ahn JJ
• Lee T

• KMID: 2397050
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2015.5.3.187

Abstract

H1-antihistamine is generally a well-tolerated and safe drug. However, in resemblance with all other drugs, H1-antihistamines can also prompt adverse drug reactions (ADRs). We recently encountered the very unusual ADR of H1-antihistamine-induced gynecomastia. A 21-year-old man with idiopathic anaphylaxis was treated with ebastine (Ebastel), a second-generation H1-antihistamine, for the prevention of anaphylaxis. Three months later, the patient remained well without anaphylaxis, but had newly developed gynecomastia. Because anaphylaxis recurred after the cessation of H1-antihistamine, the preventive medication was changed to omalizumab. A few months later, his gynecomastia had entirely disappeared. Physicians should be aware of this exceptional ADR of H1-antihistamine.

Keyword

Histamine H1 Antagonists; Gynecomastia; Anaphylaxis

MeSH Terms

Anaphylaxis*
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Gynecomastia*
Histamine H1 Antagonists
Humans
Male
Omalizumab
Young Adult
Histamine H1 Antagonists
Omalizumab

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Grossly enlarged breasts were noted on the anterior chest. (B) The right breast enlargement was more prominent than the left breast enlargement. Ultrasound showed abnormally proliferated subareolar glandular tissue in the right (C) and left (D) breasts, which was compatible with gynecomastia.

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