Danazol

Danazol
Danazol

Uses

Danazol is used to treat endometriosis (a condition in which the type of tissue that lines the uterus [womb] grows in other areas of the body and causes infertility, pain before and during menstrual periods, pain during and after sexual activity, and heavy or irregular bleeding). Danazol is also used to treat fibrocystic breast disease (swollen, tender breasts with noncancerous lumps) when other treatments are not successful. Danazol is also used to prevent attacks in people with hereditary angioedema (inherited condition that causes episodes of swelling in the hands, feet, face, airway, or intestines). Danazol is in a class of medications called androgenic hormones. It works to treat endometriosis by shrinking the displaced tissue of the uterus. It works to treat fibrocystic breast disease by blocking the release of hormones that cause the breast pain and lumps. It works to treat hereditary angioedema by increasing the amount of a natural substance in the body.

Side Effects Of Danazol

Danazol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • acne
  • the decrease in breast size
  • weight gain
  • oily skin or hair
  • flushing
  • sweating
  • vaginal dryness, burning, itching, or bleeding
  • nervousness
  • irritability
  • absence of a menstrual cycle, spotting, or change in the menstrual cycle

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

  • deepening of voice, hoarseness, sore throat, increase in facial hair, baldness, or swelling of the arms or legs (in women)
  • red, peeling, or blistering skin

Warnings & Precautions

Before taking danzaol:

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to danazol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in danazol capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), medications for diabetes such as insulin, lovastatin (Altoprev), simvastatin (Zocor, in Vytorin), or tacrolimus (Astagraf, Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have porphyria (an inherited blood disease that may cause skin or nervous system problems); unexplained vaginal bleeding; cancer; or heart or kidney disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take danazol.
  • tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Do not breastfeed during your treatment with danazol.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had migraine headaches; epilepsy (seizures), diabetes; hypoparathyroidism (a condition in which the body does not produce enough parathyroid hormone); high blood pressure; or any blood disorder.

Dosage Of Danazol

Danazol comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken twice a day for endometriosis or fibrocystic breast disease, or two or three times a day for hereditary angioedema. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take danazol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Do not stop taking danazol without talking to your doctor. If you have fibrocystic breast disease, breast pain and tenderness usually improve during the first month that you take danazol and go away after 2 to 3 months of treatment; breast lumps should improve after 4 to 6 months of treatment.

Other

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking danazol.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Source

All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.