Danazol

Generic name: Danazol
Brand names: Danocrine
Drug class: Antigonadotropic agents

Usage of Danazol

Danazol is a synthetic steroid derived from ethisterone.

Danazol is used to treat endometriosis.

Danazol is also used to treat attacks of hereditary angioedema (an immune system disorder).

Danazol reduces bradykinin production and could potentially reduce the impact of a bradykinin storm. Bradykinin storms may be responsible for some of the complications experienced by COVID-19 patients.

Danazol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction to danazol: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side);

cough with bloody mucus or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

bloody or tarry stools, dark urine;

swelling or weight gain;

a hoarse or deepened voice, sore throat;

hair loss, or increased hair growth;

acne or other skin problems;

unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;

increased pressure inside the skull - severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or

signs of a blood clot - sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech, swelling or redness in an arm or leg.

Common danazol side effects may include:

flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

changes in your menstrual periods;

unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting;

breast changes;

sexual problems;

decreased amount of semen released during sex;

mood changes, nervousness; or

vaginal dryness or irritation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Danazol

You should not use danazol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

undiagnosed vaginal bleeding;

severe heart problems;

a history of stroke or blood clot;

severe liver or kidney disease;

porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system); or

a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

To make sure danazol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever HAD:

heart problems;

high blood pressure;

liver disease;

kidney disease;

epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

diabetes; or

migraine headaches.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Do not use danazol if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine.

Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Danazol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using danazol.

Danazol is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Danazol

Usual Adult Dose for Endometriosis:

Mild Disease: -Initial dose: 200 to 400 mg orally per day, given in 2 divided doses -Maintenance dose: Gradual downward titrations should be performed to maintain amenorrhea. -Duration of therapy: Up to 9 months Moderate to Severe Disease or Patients Infertile due to Endometriosis: -Initial dose: 800 mg orally per day, given in 2 divided doses -Maintenance dose: Gradual downward titrations should be performed to maintain amenorrhea. -Duration of therapy: Up to 9 months Comments: -Treatment should begin during menstruation, OR appropriate pregnancy tests should be performed prior to starting treatment ensure that the patient is not pregnant while on treatment. -Treatment should continue uninterrupted 3 to 6 months, but may continue for up to 9 months. -Treatment may be reinstituted if symptoms recur. Use: Treatment of endometriosis amenable to hormonal management

Usual Adult Dose for Fibrocystic Breast Disease:

100 to 400 mg orally per day, given in 2 divided doses Comments: -Most patients may be treated with simple measures (e.g., padded brassieres, analgesics). Patients requiring treatment with this drug may have symptoms of severe pain and tenderness. -Patients should be advised that treatment is not innocuous; hormone level alterations and symptom recurrence are very common after discontinuation of treatment. -This drug is usually effective in decreasing symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease (e.g., nodularity, pain, tenderness); pain and tenderness are typically eliminated in 2 to 3 months, and nodularity is usually eliminated after 4 to 6 months of uninterrupted treatment. -Approximately 50% of patients will have symptom recurrence within 1 year; treatment may be reinstated in this patient population if necessary. Use: Treatment of symptomatic fibrocystic breast disease by suppression of ovarian function

Usual Adult Dose for Angioedema:

Initial dose: 200 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day -After a favorable initial response, continuing doses should be determined by decreasing the dose by 50% or less at intervals of 1 to 3 months (or longer). -If an attack occurs, the daily dose may be increased by 200 mg.

Warnings

You should not use danazol if you have: undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, porphyria, severe liver or kidney disease, severe heart problems, or if you have ever had a stroke or blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Do not use danazol if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Do not breast-feed while using danazol.

What other drugs will affect Danazol

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

Carbamazepine;

cyclosporine;

tacrolimus;

Warfarin;

insulin or oral diabetes medications; or

cholesterol lowering medicines such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with danazol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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