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Premature thelarche: A possible adverse effect of cimetidine treatment

  • Endocrinology
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Abstract

An 18-month-old girl is reported in whom marked unilateral breast enlargement occurred after 4 weeks of cimetidine therapy. After withdrawal of the drug the enlargement rapidly disappeared. This observation points to cimetidine as a possible cause of premature thelarche. Cimetidine, a selective H2 receptor blocking agent, is known to cause gynaecomastia in males. This effect seems related to clevated plasma oestrogens, gonadotropins, or to binding of the drug to androgen receptors. Ranitidine, a much more potent selective H2 receptor blocker, does not cause gynaecomastia and seems therefore preferable to cimetidine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital “Het Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis”, P.O.B. 18009, 3501 CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    J. M. Bosman & N. M. A. Bax

  2. Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital “Het Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis”, P.O.B. 18009, 3501 CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    J. M. Wit

Authors
  1. J. M. Bosman
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  2. N. M. A. Bax
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  3. J. M. Wit
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Bosman, J.M., Bax, N.M.A. & Wit, J.M. Premature thelarche: A possible adverse effect of cimetidine treatment. Eur J Pediatr 149, 534–535 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957686

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957686

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