Danazol

Danazol is a synthetic steroid hormone and is responsible for hormonal management. In the 1970s, Danazol was approved and cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Danazol has not been available in Germany since 2005. Danazol is still available abroad.

What is danazol?

Danazol is a derivative of the hormone ethisterone. Ethisterone is the counterpart to the well-known steroid hormone testosterone.

Danazol is a sex hormone that increases and checks masculinity. This means that the development of the male sexual characteristics is stimulated and controlled.

Danazol also blocks the production of estrogens and thus reduces the level of the important female sex hormone. Danazol is a white to slightly yellowish, crystalline powder that is insoluble in water and almost insoluble in alcohol. The typical dosage form of danazol is capsules.

Pharmacological effect

Danazol blocks the pituitary-ovarian axis by preventing the secretion of so-called gonadotropins. The agent is orally effective and therefore inhibits pituitary gonadotropin. Gonadotropins, i.e. sex hormones such as the folicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH), are produced by the pituitary gland (pituitary gland).

The release of these hormones is inhibited or prevented by the danazol. In addition, danazol is free from estrogen and progesterone and has low androgenic activity. This means that a virilizing effect or masculinization occurs rarely or only slightly. The level of estradiol, another sex hormone, and progesterone in the female and that of testosterone in the male organism are lowered by danazol.

Danazol has an effect on the gonads and sexual organs. Their weight and function are reduced by the action of the agent. The remarkable thing about Danazol is the clear separation of the inhibitory effect on pituitary gonadotropin and the activity as a sex hormone. Danazol also stops ovarian hormone production and also blocks the ovarian hormone receptors.

Another effect of Danazol is the lowering of IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations, as well as the reduction of phospholipid and IgG isotope autoantibodies. This can help alleviate endometriosis, which is explained below.

Medical application & use

Mainly will Danazol used in endometriosis. Endometriosis is a growth of the lining of the uterus outside of the uterus. This ulcer is benign but very painful. Danazol is used to reduce the growth of the lining of the uterus, so that the lining of the uterus does not become massive. Danazol reduces severe abdominal pain, eliminates menstrual irregularities and lump formation.

Danazol is also used for hereditary angioedema, that is, hereditary edema that often forms on the mucous membranes in the genital area. Here, Danazol is taken primarily to prevent further attacks of such angioedema.

Danazol is also used in fibrotic mastopathy. A benign change in the glandular tissue of the breast, mostly due to hormonal dysfunction. So there is a hormonal imbalance between estrogens and progesterone, with an excess of estrogens. This excess of estrogens leads to proliferation, an increase in the glandular tissue. The inhibitory effect of danazol restores the balance between estrogens and progesterone and thus prevents tissue proliferation.

Danazol is also said to help with various forms of cytopenia, the reduction in cells in the blood. Danazol can be used for any type of blood cell reduction. If there is a decrease in erythrocytes (red blood cells), thrombocytes (blood platelets), or leukocytes (white blood cells) or even in a form in which all types of cells are affected by the reduction.

Risks & side effects

So far by taking Danazol no known long-term side effects. Certain side effects can occur sporadically. Due to the stimulation of the male sex hormones, side effects such as acne, a deeper voice, abnormal hair growth and reduction in breast size can occur.

Other side effects are muscle cramps, nausea, sweating, nervousness, emotional fluctuations, weight gain, discomfort in the external vaginal area and menstrual cramps. Danazol must not be used in patients with genital bleeding, heart, liver or kidney damage.

In case of hypersensitivity to danazol, the drug must not be used. Danazol should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.