Medicines that may cause breast problems

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause breast problems. For example, breast tenderness is not unusual for the first few months after starting birth control pills or hormone therapy. Some medicines may cause a milky discharge (galactorrhea).

Medicines that may cause nipple discharge include:

• Antidepressants.
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine or sertraline
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine or amitriptyline
• Antipsychotic medicines, such as phenothiazines or haloperidol.
• Blood pressure medicines, such as atenolol, methyldopa, or verapamil.
• Birth control pills (oral contraceptives).
• Infertility medicines, such as Clomid.
• Medicines used to increase stomach emptying, such as metoclopramide.
• Migraine headache medicines, such as sumatriptan.

Medicines that may cause breast tenderness include:

• Birth control pills (oral contraceptives).
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone.
• Hormone therapy, such as HRT.
• Infertility medicines, such as Clomid.

Cimetidine, such as Tagamet, may cause nipple discharge and breast enlargement in men (gynecomastia).

If you develop a breast problem after starting a new prescription medicine, contact the doctor who prescribed it. The dosage may need to be changed or you may have to stop taking the medicine.

If you suspect a nonprescription medicine is causing your breast problems and the problem is not relieved after you stop taking it, contact your doctor.