Which medication class is associated with potential gynecomastia and breast tenderness?

Aldosterone antagonists are associated with potential gynecomastia and breast tenderness due to their mechanism of action and hormonal effects. These medications, such as spironolactone, block the effects of aldosterone, which can lead to an increase in estrogenic activity. When aldosterone is inhibited, the balance between androgens and estrogens may be altered, resulting in an increase in breast tissue. This hormonal alteration can provoke symptoms like breast tenderness and gynecomastia, which is the abnormal enlargement of breast tissue in males.

In contrast, while other medication classes may have their own side effects, they are not typically linked to changes in breast tissue or gynecomastia. For example, ACE inhibitors and ARBs primarily affect the renin-angiotensin system and are not known to have significant effects on estrogen levels. Beta-blockers, while they can have various side effects, do not generally cause breast tissue changes associated with gynecomastia. These distinctions clarify why aldosterone antagonists are uniquely implicated in this particular side effect profile.