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

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan 682-714, Korea. ddol1996@hanmail.net

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

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