Danazol (Danazol)

General information

Danazol is in the class of medications known as pituitary gonadotropin inhibitors. It is used to treat endometriosis and to relieve pain caused by benign (noncancerous) fibrocystic breast disease. For the treatment of endometriosis and fibrocystic breast disease, it works by decreasing the amount of hormones made by the ovaries. It is also used in both men and women to prevent swelling of the abdomen, arms, legs, face, airway due to a certain congenital disease (hereditary angioedema). For the treatment of angioedema, danazol helps to increase the amount of a certain protein in your body's defense system (immune system).

Directions

Take Danazol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth, usually twice daily. You may take this medication with or without food. The usual dosage range for treating endometriosis is 200 mg to 800 mg taken daily in 2 to 4 divided doses without interruption for 3 to 6 months. The recommended maximum duration of therapy is 6 months. The usual dosage range for treating fibrocystic breast disease is 100 mg to 400 mg taken daily in 2 divided doses. Symptoms should decrease within 30 to 40 days. The recommended maximum duration of therapy is 6 months.

Precautions

Before taking Danazol you should talk with your doctor if you have stroke or blood clot, high cholesterol or triglycerides, coronary artery disease, breast cancer, seizure disorder, heart disease, congestive heart failure, kidney or liver disease, migraine headaches, unusual vaginal bleeding, diabetes, prostate cancer. This medication may affect the sperm.

Contraindications

You should not take Danazol if you are allergic to danazol or to any of the ingredients of the medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a tumour dependent on androgen, abnormal vaginal bleeding, genital cancer, kidney, liver, or heart problems, porphyria.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have weight gain, acne, flushing, sweating, voice changes (hoarseness, change in pitch), abnormal growth of body hair (in women), vaginal irritation, or decreased breast size, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, hives, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), chest pain, nervousness, changes in menstrual periods, vaginal dryness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: blood thinners (warfarin), carbamazepine, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, lovastatin, simvastatin. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are yellowing of the eyes or skin, severe stomach or abdominal pain, breast changes, dark urine, weight gain, menstrual problems.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.