Danol

What is it?

A gonadotrophin release inhibitor, danazol, available in capsules of 100mg (white/grey) and 200mg (white/pink), marked with name and strength.

Medical Uses

Menorrhagia (long or heavy menstruation), pre-operatively in preparation for endometrial ablation, endometriosis, severe mastalgia of cyclical nature, gynaecomastia (enlargement of breasts), benign breast cysts.

Dosage

Women, menorrhagia, starting on first day of period, 200mg each day continually for 3 months; preoperatively, starting on first day of period, 400 to 800mg each day for 3 to 6 weeks; endometriosis, starting on first day of period, 200 to 800mg each day for 6 to 9 months. Mastalgia, 100 to 400mg each day for 3 to 6 months; gynaecomastia, 400mg each day for 6 months; benign breast cysts, initially, 300mg each day for 3 to 6 months. Children (adolescents), gynaecomastia only, 200mg each day for 6 months - but if no response after 8 weeks, increase dose to 400mg daily.

Special Care

Migraine, epilepsy, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, other cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, polycythaemia (increase in blood erythrocytes), conditions adversely affected by fluid retention, previous thromboembolic disorders, malignant conditions or suspected malignancy, lipoprotein disorders, previous androgenic (masculinizing) reactions when treated with sex hormones. Barrier contraception should be used. Monitor liver function, blood, blood pressure.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, porphyria, severe kidney, heart or liver disease, vaginal bleeding, androgen- dependent tumour, thromboembolic disease.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Steroids, anticonvulsants, anticoagulants, cyclosporin, antihypertensives, hypoglycaemics, drugs used to treat migraine, alfacalcidol, alcohol.

Known Side Effects

Backache, flushes, dizziness, muscle spasms, nausea, rashes, male hormone effects, fluid retention, menstrual disturbances, headache, emotional disturbance, cholestatic jaundice (due to blockage of bile flow through any part of the biliary system), benign rise in intracranial pressure, pancreatitis, effects on heart and circulation, blond changes, thyroid effects. Drug should be stopped if androgenic effects, raised intracranial pressure, thrombosis or liver dysfunction occur.