Danazol
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Danazol
Danazol is a male sex hormone (synthetic androgen). It blocks the action of pituitary gland by reducing the production of some hormones fro pituitary gland that causes the reduction of estrogen, prevent menstrual cycle, increases the acne and promote the growth of male patern facial hair.
Therapeutic Uses of Danazol
Danazol is used in the treatment of infertility and pain due to endometriosis (disease of endometrium of uterus which is the inner lining of the uterus). It is considered as second line of management as the response rate is about 30% only. It can also be used in the treatment of lump in the breast and polymenorrhea (heavy menstrual bleeding).
Direction of use of Danazol
Danazol should be taken as directed by your doctor. You should follow the direction and schedule of Danazol very carefully without any modification. It is generally given at the dose of 100 mg 3 times a day and increased to 200 mg 3 times a day if tolerated well without any major side effects. During the treatment with Danazol you should monitor liver function test, blood sugar level and blood pressure regularly. You may also need to visit your doctor regularly during therapy with Danazol, to make sure that it is working properly.
Dose of Danazol, if Missed
If you miss a dose of Danazol, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is time for next dose and you forgot to take the dose, than skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule and consult your doctor. Never take 2 doses at a time for compensating the missed dose.
How to Store Danazol
Danazol should be stored at room temperature in a dry container. It should be stored away from sunlight, moisture and heat.
More Information About Danazol
- Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you get any of the side effects with Danazol listed here like headache, restlessness, sweating, tingling, numbness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, continued loss of appetite, unexplained weight gain, unusual tiredness, unusual tiredness, general feeling of illness, unusual weakness, frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, unusual bruising or bleeding, light colored stool, dark colored urine, presence of blood in urine, muscle cramps, muscle spasms, muscle pain, swelling of feet and legs, bloating, pain, tenderness etc. of abdomen and stomach, chest pain, joint pain, pain in eye, partial or complete numbness or weakness on one side of body, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), difficulty in speaking and difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), shortness of breath, weakness in legs, arms, trunk, or face, acne, increased oiliness of skin and hair, unnatural hair growth, semen changes like reduce sperm count and infertility, decrease in size of testicles, decrease in breast size, discharge from nipple, irregular menstrual periods, enlarged clitoris, fever, chills, high pulse rate, sore throat, hives, skin rash, hoarseness of voice, deepening of voice, changes in vision, loss of muscle coordination, yellow eyes or skin; burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in fingers; purple, red or other spots on body or inside the mouth or nose.
- There may also be other minor side effects that do not need medical attention. These minor side effects generally go away by itself as your body learns to adjust to the medicine. But consult your doctor if your minor side effects become bothersome or they continue for long duration. These side effects are dryness or itching of vagina, vaginal bleeding, burning, increased sensitivity of skin to sun, mood change, mental change, nervousness, flushing or redness of skin etc.
- There may also be some other side effects that are not listed above and if you get any side effect that is not listed above, than consult your doctor or other health care provider immediately.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Danazol
- Never use Danazol during pregnancy. Ideally you should do and it is recommended that you are woman you should do a pregnancy test before starting Danazol. Non hormonal and effective contraceptive methods should be used during treatment with Danazol, like condoms and diaphragms. If you are pregnant or think you are pregnant, than consult your doctor immediately. Breast feeding is also not allowed during treatment with Danazol.
- Use non hormonal contraceptive like condom, diaphragm or sponge as long as you take Danazol and until you have had at least one menstrual period after stopping the medicine.
- Danazol can cause stopping of menstrual cycle in women (amenorrhea). Bur generally the menstrual cycle returns to normal within 3 months of stopping the medicine.
- Danazol can cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurring of vision. So you should not do risky jobs that require constant attention like driving or operating heavy machinery during treatment with Danazol.
- Danazol may cause heart problem, liver problem, or circulatory problem like clotting of blood. Inform your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms like one sided weakness, sudden changes in vision, slurred speech, arm pain, leg pain, breathing difficulty, chest pain, yellowing eyes and/or skin, dark urine, dizziness, fainting, swelling, stomach pain, headache etc.
- Use Danazol with caution in children and in old people. If possible consult child doctor for the use of Danazol in children. In older men there is a chance of development of prostate enlargement or prostate cancer if androgen like (Danazol) medicines is used.
- You should inform your doctor if you have medical problems like migraine headache, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, seizures, breast cancer, abnormal bleeding, strokes, prostate cancer, allergies like drug allergy etc.
Possible Adverse Effects
- Danazol may cause side effects like dizziness, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite or increase in appetite, stomach upset, bloating, anxiety etc. These side effects generally disappear as your body adjusts to dizziness, headache, fatigue, appetite changes, stomach upset, bloating, or anxiety. But you should notify your doctor if these side effects do not go away or they become bothersome.
- Other side effects are oily skin, weight gain, flushing, changes in sleep patterns, insomnia, change in sex drive, muscle cramps, chills, fluid retention in the hands and feet, nasal congestion etc. Inform your doctor if you get depression, hot flashes, deepening of the voice, abnormal growth of fine body hair or facial hair, vision changes, yellowing of the eyes or skin, one sided weakness, slurred speech etc.
- Women who are taking Danazol may get side effects like amenorrhea, irregular menstrual period etc. which ususlly returns to normal within 3 months of stopping Danazol. If menstrual period do not return to normal within 90 days than consult your doctor.