What is Danocrine (danazol)?
Danazol is a man-made form of a steroid. Danazol affects the ovaries and pituitary gland and prevents the release of certain hormones in the body.
Danazol is used to treat endometriosis and fibrocystic breast disease. Danazol is also used to prevent attacks of angioedema in people with an inherited form of this disorder.
Danazol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Danocrine (danazol)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to danazol, or if you have porphyria, or severe problems with your heart, liver, or kidney. You also should not take danazol if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant.
Before you start taking danazol, you may need to have a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant.
Use an effective barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide gel or inserts). Hormonal forms of contraception (such as birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective enough to prevent pregnancy during your treatment.
Your medication needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, sudden cough, or wheezing, swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, pain behind your eyes, stomach pain and loss of appetite, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Danocrine (danazol)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to danazol, or if you have:
• severe heart disease;
• severe kidney disease;
• severe liver disease;
• porphyria;
• abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.
Before taking danazol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
• a history of stroke or blood clot;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides, coronary artery disease;
• breast cancer;
• a seizure disorder;
• heart disease, congestive heart failure;
• kidney or liver disease; or
• migraine headaches.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take danazol.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use danazol if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
Before you start taking danazol, you may need to have a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant.
Use an effective barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide gel or inserts). Hormonal forms of contraception (such as birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective enough to prevent pregnancy during your treatment.
Taking danazol to treat endometriosis may increase your risk of ovarian cancer. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
How should I take Danocrine (danazol)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Women who take danazol may need to start the medication during a menstrual period. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Your medication needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using danazol.
It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 months of taking danazol, or if you continue to have attacks of angioedema.
Store danazol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Call your doctor for instructions if you have missed doses for more than 2 days in a row.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.
A single large dose of danazol is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, high doses taken over a long period of time may cause weight gain, increased acne or facial hair growth, menstrual problems, or breast changes.
What should I avoid while taking Danocrine (danazol)?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using danazol.
Danocrine (danazol) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
• sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate;
• swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
• stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
• acne or other skin problems;
• increased hair growth or hair loss;
• weight gain;
• breast changes;
• deepened voice;
• nervousness;
• increased sweating, warmth or tingly feeling under your skin;
• changes in your menstrual periods; or
• vaginal dryness, discomfort, or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Danocrine (danazol)?
Before taking danazol, tell your doctor if you are taking:
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with danazol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.