Gynecomastia medical therapy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Medical Therapy

Treating the underlying cause of the gynecomastia may lead to improvement in the condition. Patients should talk with their doctor about revising any medications that are found to be causing gynecomastia; often, an alternative medication can be found that avoids gynecomastia side-effects, while still treating the primary condition for which the original medication was found not to be suitable due to causing gynecomastia side-effects (e.g., in place of taking spironolactone the alternative eplerenone can be used.) Selective estrogen receptor modulator medications, such as tamoxifen and clomiphene, or androgens or aromatase inhibitors such as Letrozole are medical treatment options, although they are not universally approved for the treatment of gynecomastia. Endocrinological attention may help during the first 2-3 years. After that window, however, the breast tissue tends to remain and harden, leaving surgery (either liposuction, gland excision, skin sculpture, reduction mammoplasty, or a combination of these surgical techniques) the only treatment option. Many American insurance companies deny coverage for surgery for gynecomastia treatment on the grounds that it is a cosmetic procedure. Radiation therapy is sometimes used to prevent gynecomastia in patients with prostate cancer prior to estrogen therapy. Compression garments can camouflage chest deformity and stabilize bouncing tissue bringing emotional relief to some. There are also those who choose to live with the condition.

As a summary:

• Most cases of gynecomastia resolve spontaneously and therefore do not require treatment
• Always treat underlying disease etiologies
• If possible, discontinue harmful/offending medications

Pharmacotherapy

• For elderly patients who have extreme pain, tenderness or embarrassment:

  • Androgens
  • Antiestrogens
  • Aromatase

Overview

• There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
• Supportive therapy for [disease name] includes [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and [therapy 3].
• The majority of cases of [disease name] are self-limited and require only supportive care.

• [Disease name] is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment.

• The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is [therapy].

 

• The optimal therapy for [malignancy name] depends on the stage at diagnosis.
• [Therapy] is recommended among all patients who develop [disease name].
• Pharmacologic medical therapy is recommended among patients with [disease subclass 1], [disease subclass 2], and [disease subclass 3].
• Pharmacologic medical therapies for [disease name] include (either) [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and/or [therapy 3].
• Empiric therapy for [disease name] depends on [disease factor 1] and [disease factor 2].
• Patients with [disease subclass 1] are treated with [therapy 1], whereas patients with [disease subclass 2] are treated with [therapy 2].

Medical Therapy

• Asymptomatic gynecomastia usually does not require treatment; reassurance is all that is required.
• Treatment of symptomatic gynecomastia (discomfort, tenderness, psychological stresses) is guided by the patient's goal.
• In gynecomastia with the identifiable underlying cause, treatment of that underlying cause can address the symptoms.
• If the gynecomastia is believed to be due to a use of a medication, withdrawal of that medication should lead to improvement over a period of a few months.

Pharmacologic therapy

• Pharmacologic medical therapy is recommended among patients with [disease subclass 1], [disease subclass 2], and [disease subclass 3].
• Pharmacologic medical therapies for [disease name] include (either) [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and/or [therapy 3].
• Empiric therapy for [disease name] depends on [disease factor 1] and [disease factor 2].
• Patients with [disease subclass 1] are treated with [therapy 1], whereas patients with [disease subclass 2] are treated with [therapy 2].

Disease Name

• 1 Stage 1 - Name of stage
  • 1.1 Specific Organ system involved 1
    • 1.1.1 Adult
      • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 100 mg PO q12h for 10-21 days (Contraindications/specific instructions)
      • Preferred regimen (2): drug name 500 mg PO q8h for 14-21 days
      • Preferred regimen (3): drug name 500 mg q12h for 14-21 days
      • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 500 mg PO q6h for 7–10 days
      • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 500 mg PO q12h for 14–21 days
      • Alternative regimen (3): drug name 500 mg PO q6h for 14–21 days
    • 1.1.2 Pediatric
      • 1.1.2.1 (Specific population e.g. children < 8 years of age)
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 50 mg/kg PO per day q8h (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Preferred regimen (2): drug name 30 mg/kg PO per day in 2 divided doses (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name10 mg/kg PO q6h (maximum, 500 mg per day)
        • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 7.5 mg/kg PO q12h (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Alternative regimen (3): drug name 12.5 mg/kg PO q6h (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
      • 1.1.2.2 (Specific population e.g. 'children < 8 years of age')
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 4 mg/kg/day PO q12h（maximum, 100 mg per dose）
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 10 mg/kg PO q6h (maximum, 500 mg per day)
        • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 7.5 mg/kg PO q12h (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Alternative regimen (3): drug name 12.5 mg/kg PO q6h (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
  • 2.1 Specific Organ system involved 2
    • 2.1.1 Adult
      • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 500 mg PO q8h
    • 2.1.2 Pediatric
      • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 50 mg/kg/day PO q8h (maximum, 500 mg per dose)

• 2 Stage 2 - Name of stage
  • 2.1 Specific Organ system involved 1

    Note (1):

    Note (2):

    Note (3):

    • 2.1.1 Adult
      • Parenteral regimen
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 2 g IV q24h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 2 g IV q8h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 18–24 MU/day IV q4h for 14 (14–21) days
      • Oral regimen
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 500 mg PO q8h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Preferred regimen (2): drug name 100 mg PO q12h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Preferred regimen (3): drug name 500 mg PO q12h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 500 mg PO q6h for 7–10 days
        • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 500 mg PO q12h for 14–21 days
        • Alternative regimen (3):drug name 500 mg PO q6h for 14–21 days
    • 2.1.2 Pediatric
      • Parenteral regimen
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 50–75 mg/kg IV q24h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 2 g)
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 150–200 mg/kg/day IV q6–8h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 6 g per day)
        • Alternative regimen (2):  drug name 200,000–400,000 U/kg/day IV q4h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 18–24 million U per day) '(Contraindications/specific instructions)'
      • Oral regimen
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 50 mg/kg/day PO q8h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Preferred regimen (2): drug name (for children aged ≥ 8 years) 4 mg/kg/day PO q12h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 100 mg per dose)
        • Preferred regimen (3): drug name 30 mg/kg/day PO q12h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 10 mg/kg PO q6h 7–10 days (maximum, 500 mg per day)
        • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 7.5 mg/kg PO q12h for 14–21 days (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Alternative regimen (3): drug name 12.5 mg/kg PO q6h for 14–21 days (maximum,500 mg per dose)
  • 2.2 'Other Organ system involved 2'

    Note (1):

    Note (2):

    Note (3):

    • 2.2.1 Adult
      • Parenteral regimen
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 2 g IV q24h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 2 g IV q8h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 18–24 MU/day IV q4h for 14 (14–21) days
      • Oral regimen
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 500 mg PO q8h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Preferred regimen (2): drug name 100 mg PO q12h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Preferred regimen (3): drug name 500 mg PO q12h for 14 (14–21) days
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 500 mg PO q6h for 7–10 days
        • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 500 mg PO q12h for 14–21 days
        • Alternative regimen (3):drug name 500 mg PO q6h for 14–21 days
    • 2.2.2 Pediatric
      • Parenteral regimen
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 50–75 mg/kg IV q24h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 2 g)
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 150–200 mg/kg/day IV q6–8h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 6 g per day)
        • Alternative regimen (2):  drug name 200,000–400,000 U/kg/day IV q4h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 18–24 million U per day)
      • Oral regimen
        • Preferred regimen (1): drug name 50 mg/kg/day PO q8h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Preferred regimen (2): drug name 4 mg/kg/day PO q12h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 100 mg per dose)
        • Preferred regimen (3): drug name 30 mg/kg/day PO q12h for 14 (14–21) days (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Alternative regimen (1): drug name 10 mg/kg PO q6h 7–10 days (maximum, 500 mg per day)
        • Alternative regimen (2): drug name 7.5 mg/kg PO q12h for 14–21 days (maximum, 500 mg per dose)
        • Alternative regimen (3): drug name 12.5 mg/kg PO q6h for 14–21 days (maximum,500 mg per dose)