Danazol is a synthetic steroid hormone and is responsible for hormonal management. In the 70s, Danazol was approved and released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In Germany Danazol is no longer available since 2005. However, danazol is still available abroad.
What is danazol?
Danazol is a sex hormone that increases and checks masculinity. The typical dosage form of Danazol is capsules. Danazol is a derivative, that is, a derived substance of the hormone ethisterone. Ethisterone is the counterpart of the well-known steroid hormone testosterone. Danazol is a sex hormone that increases and checks masculinity. That is, the male sexual characteristics are stimulated and controlled in their development. In addition, Danazol blocks the production of estrogens, thus decreasing the supply of the important female sex hormone. Danazol is a white to slightly yellowish crystalline powder that is insoluble in water and nearly insoluble in alcohol. The typical dosage form of danazol is capsules.
Pharmacological action
Danazol blocks the pituitary-ovarian axis by inhibiting the secretion of the so-called gonadotropins. The drug is orally active and consequently pituitary gonadotropin inhibitory. Gonadotropins, sex hormones such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are produced by the pituitary gland. Danazol inhibits or prevents the release of these hormones. In addition, danazol is free of estrogen and progesterone and has low androgenic activity. This means that a virilizing effect or even masculinization rarely or only slightly occurs. The level of estradiol, another sex hormone, and progesterone in the female organism and that of testosterone in the male organism is lowered by danazol. Danazol affects the gonads and sexual organs. Their weight and function are reduced by the action of the drug. 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 ovarian hormone receptors. Another effect of danazol is the reduction of IgG, IgM, IgA concentrations, as well as the reduction of phospholipid and IgG isotope autoantibodies. This may facilitate mitigation of endometriosis disease, which is explained below.
Medical application and use
Mainly, danazol is used for endometriosis. Endometriosis is a growth of the lining of the uterus outside the uterus. This growth is benign but very painful. Danazol is used to reduce the growth of the endometrium so that the mucous membrane of the uterus does not form massively. Thereby Danazol reduces severe abdominal pain, eliminates menstrual irregularities and lump formation. Danazol is also used in the treatment of hereditary angioedema, i.e. hereditary edema that often occurs in the mucous membranes of the genital area. In this case, Danazol is mainly used to prevent further attacks of such angioedema. Danazol is also used in fibrotic mastopathy. A benign change of the glandular tissue of the breast mostly due to hormonal dysfunction. In other words, there is a hormonal imbalance between estrogens and progesterone, with an excess of estrogens. This excess of estrogens leads to proliferation, an increase in glandular tissue. The inhibitory action of danazol restores the balance between estrogens and progesterone, thus preventing tissue proliferation. Danazol is also said to help with various forms of cytopenia, the reduction of cells in the blood. Here, Danazol can be taken for any type of blood cell reduction. In case of reduction of erythrocytes (red blood cells), thrombocytes (platelets), or leukocytes (white blood cells)or even in a form where all types of cells are affected by the reduction.
Risks and side effects
So far, there are no known long-term side effects from taking danazol. Certain side effects may occur sporadically. Due to the stimulation of male sex hormones, side effects may include acne, a deeper voice, abnormal hair growth, and reduction in breast size.Other side effects include muscle cramps, nausea, sweating, nervousness, emotional fluctuations, weight gain, discomfort in the external vaginal area, and menstrual cramps. Danazol should not be taken by patients with genital bleeding, heart, liver, or kidney damage. The medication should not be used in case of hypersensitivity to Danazol. Danazol should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
