Danazol is an androgenic hormone used in HRT as an aide in treating disorders of the reproductive system in women, such as infertility, endometriosis, menorrhagia and severe PMS syndrome.
Danazol is a synthetic androgen obtained from Ethinyl testosterone that acts by decreasing the amount of progesterone and estrogen produced by the body. It is primarily indicated for the treatment of endometriosis that has not yet advance to surgery stage. It has been proven effective in the treating of fibrocystic breast disease because it reduces growth rate of abnormal tissue. It is also used to treat hereditary angioedema caused by C1INH deficiency due to its ability to increase C1INH and C4 levels in the system.
After its administration, peak concentrations of danazol can be attained in the serum after about 2 to 3 hours but its therapeutic effects will not be realized until after 6 to 8 weeks of continuous medication. In a case where this medication is used for the treatment of a fibrocystic breast disease, a reduction in pain may start to be noticed after a month of continuous medication with peak effects at 2 to 3 months of treatment. Danazol is clinically indicated for the treatment of hereditary angioedema prophylaxis and it can also be used to treat endometriosis, chronic immune thrombocytopenia, mastalgia that is associated with HIV or Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, purpura, PMS that is associated with weight gain and bloating, depression, anxiety, emergency post-coital contraception and finally, in the palliative treatment of fibrocystic breast disease.
Danazol is well known to increase fluid retention in the system of human beings so it should be used very cautiously in patients with:
Danazol should never be administered to patients with severe hepatic diseases because it can lead to hepatic dysfunctions which include; peliosis of the liver, cholestatic jaundice, and benign hepatic adenoma. Adenoma and Peliosis may not be detected until a patient suffer from a life-threatening intra-abdominal bleeding. If danazol must be used in patients with this condition, then the clinician must proceed with caution and regular liver function examinations should be carried out to ascertain safety. Danazol should never be used to treat fibrocystic breast disease until all possibilities of breast carcinoma have been eliminated. If the nodules on the breasts enlarge or persist after this treatment, the possibilities of cancer should be evaluated.
Danazol should not be used in patients with acute intermittent porphyria because it can induce the activity of ALA synthetase and the metabolism of porphyrin which can facilitate an attack.
Women:
Men
Both Men and Women
This list does not include all the possible side effects of this medication so in case you experience any adverse reactions after the administration of this medicine, i.e. swelling, chest pains/chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, red painful swollen spots, and itching/hives, contact emergency care services or your health care service provider immediately.