Which of the following drugs can cause gynaecomastia?
**Core Concept**
Gynaecomastia is a clinical condition characterized by the enlargement of breast tissue in males, resulting from an imbalance between estrogen and androgen hormones. This imbalance can be caused by various factors, including medications that affect hormone levels or hormone metabolism.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Gynaecomastia can be caused by drugs that have estrogenic or anti-androgenic properties. Estrogenic drugs can stimulate the growth of breast tissue, while anti-androgenic drugs can lead to a relative excess of estrogen in the body. Examples of such drugs include spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic that also has anti-androgenic effects, and cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist that can cause gynaecomastia due to its estrogenic effects.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not provide a valid example of a drug that can cause gynaecomastia.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because it is not a well-known or established cause of gynaecomastia.
* **Option D:** This option is incorrect because it does not have a clear association with gynaecomastia.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Spironolactone is a classic example of a drug that can cause gynaecomastia due to its anti-androgenic effects. It is essential to monitor patients taking spironolactone for signs of gynaecomastia, especially at higher doses.
**Correct Answer:** C.