Danazol Indication.
For the treatment of endometriosis and some benign breast disorders.
Danazol Prescription.
Danazol is prescribed to treat endometriosis, a disease that causes infertility, pain before and during menstrual periods, pain during and after sexual activity, and heavy or irregular bleeding. Danazol is also used in fibrocystic breast disease to reduce breast pain, tenderness, and nodules (lumps). Danazol is also used to prevent attacks of angioedema in both males and females.
A synthetic steroid with antigonadotropic and anti-estrogenic activities that acts as an anterior pituitary suppressant by inhibiting the pituitary output of gonadotropins. It possesses some androgenic properties. Danazol has been used in the treatment of endometriosis and some benign breast disorders.
How should Danazol be used?
Danazol comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken twice a day. Women should take the first dose during a menstrual period and take it continuously thereafter.
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 in 2-3 months; nodules should improve in 4-6 months.
Danazol is a derivative of the synthetic steroid ethisterone, a modified testosterone. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first drug to specifically treat endometriosis, but its role as a treatment for endometriosis has been largely replaced by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Danazol has antigonadotropic and anti-estrogenic activities. Danazol acts as an anterior pituitary suppressant by inhibiting the pituitary output of gonadotropins. It possesses some androgenic properties.
Danazol side effects.
- absence of menstrual cycle, spotting, or change in menstrual cycle;
- acne;
- decrease in breast size;
- deepening of the voice, hoarseness, or sore throat;
- depression;
- flushing;
- for males, frequent, prolonged, or painful penile erections;
- hair growth in unusual amounts and places;
- irritability;
- nervousness;
- oily skin or hair;
- persistent abdominal pain;
- persistent headache;
- persistent upset stomach;
- skin rash;
- sweating;
- swelling (water retention and bloating);
- vaginal dryness, burning, itching, or bleeding;
- visual disturbances;
- vomiting;
- weight gain;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
