A Case Report of Gynecomastia Due to Rosuvastatin

ABSTRACT

Gynecomastia is a common benign disease characterized by the progressive enlargement of the glandular tissue of the male breast due to an imbalance between the levels of estrogen and androgen in the blood. The etiology may vary and may be physiological, pharmacological, pathological, or even idiopathic. Among men, drug-induced gynecomastia may account for 10% to 20% of cases. The literature contains six case reports of rosuvastatin-induced gynecomastia. Withdrawal of statin or switching to a less potent statin can lead to symptom improvement and avoidance of unnecessary tests and patient anxiety. A 62-year-old male patient developed unilateral gynecomastia after 13 months of rosuvastatin therapy. After switching to a different statin (pravastatin), his symptoms improved within 2 months. Thus, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of occurrence of gynecomastia when statins are prescribed.