Drugs which cause hirsutism are all except
**Core Concept**
Hirsutism is a condition characterized by excessive hair growth in women, often due to hormonal imbalances. Certain medications can cause hirsutism as a side effect, leading to an increase in androgen levels or altering the body's response to androgens.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Penicillamine is a chelating agent used to treat heavy metal poisoning and certain autoimmune disorders. Unlike the other options, penicillamine does not have a known mechanism of action that would lead to hirsutism. The other options are known to cause hirsutism due to their effects on the body's hormonal balance.
* **Option A: Methyldopa** is an antihypertensive medication that can cause hirsutism as a side effect. It works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which can lead to an increase in androgen production.
* **Option C: Phenothiazines** are a class of antipsychotic medications that can cause hirsutism due to their anti-androgenic properties. They work by blocking the action of androgens on the body, leading to an increase in hair growth.
* **Option D: Metoclopramide** is a medication used to treat nausea and vomiting. It can cause hirsutism as a side effect due to its ability to increase the levels of certain hormones in the body, including androgens.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Medications that cause hirsutism often have a shared mechanism of action involving androgen regulation. Be aware of the side effect profiles of medications that can alter hormonal balances, and consider this when prescribing medications to patients with a history of hirsutism or other hormonal disorders.
**β Correct Answer: B. Penicillamine**