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Danazol - Oral

Pronunciation: DAY-nuh-zole

Common Brand Name(s): Cyclomen

Important: How To Use This Information

This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

Warning

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. In women of childbearing age, this medication should be started during their menstrual period. If not, then they should have a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. It is important to prevent pregnancy while using this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use reliable forms of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, diaphragm with spermicide) while using this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.

Danazol has rarely caused very serious (possibly fatal) blood clots (such as stroke), liver disease, and increased pressure on the brain (benign intracranial hypertension). Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of these side effects, including nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, headache that is severe or doesn't go away, weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision changes, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

Uses

This medication is used in women to treat pelvic pain and infertility due to a certain disorder (endometriosis) and also to treat breast pain/tenderness/nodules due to a certain breast condition (fibrocystic breast disease). 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).

Danazol is an androgen similar to testosterone. For the treatment of endometriosis and fibrocystic breast disease, it works by decreasing the amount of hormones made by the ovaries. These hormones usually make the conditions worse. For the treatment of angioedema, danazol helps to increase the amount of a certain protein in your body's defense system (immune system).

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily. You may take this medication with or without food, but it is important to choose one way and take this medication the same way with every dose.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Side Effects

Precautions

Before taking danazol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

heart/blood vessel disease (such as coronary artery disease, stroke)
high blood pressure (hypertension)
diabetes
high cholesterol levels
breast cancer
liver disease
kidney disease
seizures
migraine headaches
unusual vaginal bleeding
certain blood disorders (porphyria, polycythemia)
prostate cancer

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication may affect the sperm. Consult your doctor for more details.

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm the unborn baby. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. (See also Warning section.)

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medication. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

"blood thinners" (such as warfarin)
certain "statin" cholesterol medications (lovastatin, simvastatin)

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as testosterone levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: yellowing eyes/skin, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function, cholesterol levels) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Information last revised October 2023.

Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.

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