“Danazole” is an effective drug that is part of the pharmacological group of inhibitors of the pituitary hormones, hypothalamus, gonadotropins, as well as their antagonists. The use of the drug should only begin on the recommendation of a doctor. In addition, the instructions attached to the Danazol preparation should be carefully studied.
Release form and composition of the drug
The drug is available in the form of capsules placed in blister packs. They, in turn, are packed in a cardboard box.
Another packaging option is a plastic bottle tightly corked with a lid.
The main and only active ingredient in the composition is the substance danazol. Its amount in each capsule is 100 or 200 mg (depending on the dosage). Auxiliary elements are not presented.
Pharmacokinetics
The drug "Danazole", according to the instructions, is included in the list of inhibitors of the production of gonadotropic hormones. With its regular intake, a reduction in the production of the hormones FGS and LH by the pituitary gland is achieved. This effect is observed in men and women. In this case, after discontinuation of the drug, hormone production is restored.
Capsules do not have gestagenic and estrogenic activity, with a slight androgenic activity and anabolic effect.
Once in the body, the active component acts in several directions:
- There is a delay in ovulation.
- Ectopic and normal endometrial tissue is damaged. As a result of such changes, cells lose their ability to further activity and atrophy. Such characteristics are important in endometriosis.
- The pain syndrome with endometriosis is reduced.
- An immunosuppressive effect is achieved. Uncontrolled division of lymphocytes in vitro is blocked.
- The rate of immunoglobulins is reduced.
Pharmacokinetics
With increasing doses, there is no increase in bioavailability. In this case, the plasma concentration can increase by 35-40% with a dose increase of 2 times.
The half-life of the active component is from 4.5 to 29 hours (depending on dosage). Biotransformation of the drug is carried out in the tissues of the liver and kidneys.
Indications for use
Appointment of capsules “Danazole”, according to the instructions, is possible in several cases:
- endometriosis, which is accompanied by infertility;
- primary menorrhagia;
- benign breast tumors (including fibrocystic mastopathy);
- signs of premature ripening in children;
- gynecomastia;
- premenstrual syndrome;
- hereditary angioedema.
“Danazol”: instructions for use and dose
The treatment regimen and dosage of the drug depend on the patient’s diagnosis.
Endometriosis The initial daily dosage reaches 400 mg. This volume is divided into 4 doses. During therapy, the doctor monitors the results and can reduce the daily dose to 200 mg or increase to 800 mg.
Premenstrual syndrome. To eliminate the symptoms, 200 mg of danazol is prescribed per day. This volume is divided into 4 doses. Subsequently, the amount of medication consumed per day can vary from 100 mg to 400 mg.
Mastopathy The standard daily dose of a drug for mastopathy is considered to be 300 mg. This volume is divided into several methods. The duration of therapy may be 3-6 months.
Premature puberty is considered the only indication in which children are prescribed “Danazol”. The instructions and description of the capsules indicate that it is necessary to take into account the age and body weight of the child. In this case, the daily dosage may vary from 100 to 400 mg.
The first day of taking the capsules should coincide with the first day of the menstrual cycle in women. The duration of treatment depends on the diagnosis, but cannot exceed 6 months.
Contraindications
Prescribe this medication is necessary taking into account the existing contraindications. In this list:
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- genital bleeding;
- malignant tumors of the prostate and mammary glands;
- porphyria;
- acute renal failure;
- liver failure and other severe liver pathologies;
- epilepsy;
- hemostatic disorders;
- migraine;
- heart failure;
- epilepsy.
Side effects
Not every person can take Danazole capsules. From the instructions for use and patient reviews, you can find out about the presence of a large number of side effects.
Digestive system. Here, the appearance of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. When diagnosing, increased activity of liver enzymes can be detected.
Endocrine system. Treatment may be accompanied by:
- hot flashes to the face;
- amenorrhea;
- increased sweating;
- nervousness
- signs of acne;
- low libido;
- enhanced work of the sebaceous glands;
- swelling;
- signs of hirsutism;
- increase in body weight;
- pathologies of spermatogenesis.
Central nervous system. In the list of the most common reactions are dizziness, headaches, depression, sleep disturbances, tremor of the extremities, a feeling of weakness.
Dermatology. With individual intolerance, a skin rash appears.
The cardiovascular system. In rare cases, the appearance of arterial hypertension and tachycardia is possible.
In addition, back pain, cramps or muscle cramps, visual impairment are possible.
If the above symptoms appear, you should stop taking the drug and consult a doctor for treatment correction.
Overdose
If the patient has taken Danazol according to the instructions, an overdose is excluded. If the recommended doses are exceeded, the following symptoms appear:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- Dizziness
- Strong headache;
- cramps
- tremor.
With such manifestations, you must immediately call an ambulance. Doctors first conduct a gastric lavage, after which symptomatic therapy is prescribed.
Drug Interactions with Other Drugs
It is extremely important to study the interaction of “Danazole” in the instructions for use. With endometriosis, benign breast tumors and other diseases, the medicine is prescribed as part of complex therapy.
With insulin. A hormone inhibitor reduces the effectiveness of insulin. This can lead to an increase in blood glucose. To avoid this, a dose adjustment of hypoglycemic agents is recommended.
With indirect anticoagulants. The therapeutic effect of such drugs is enhanced. At the same time, hepatic synthesis of procoagulant factors is reduced and there is a risk of bleeding.
With carbamazepine. There is a danger of suppressing the metabolism of carbamazepine, as a result of which the concentration of the substance in the blood increases (toxic effect).
With antiepileptic drugs (including “Phenobarbital” and “Phenytoin”). The effect of these drugs is enhanced.
Impact on driving
The drug “Danazol” - according to the instructions and reviews of patients - does not affect the ability to drive a car or complex mechanisms. However, symptoms such as dizziness and visual impairment are noted in the list of side effects. In this regard, care must be taken while driving.
special instructions
In the presence of primary hypoparathyroidism, this drug can cause hypercalcemia if the patient takes alfacalcidol.
When prescribing a gonadotropin hormone inhibitor, the doctor should periodically check the rate of bilirubin and hepatic transaminases.
Patients with diabetes need to adjust the doses of danazol and insulin.
Analogs
It happens that the drug is not suitable for the patient. In this case, doctors can replace Danazol. Analogues in the instructions for use of the drug are not indicated, and some patients act at their own peril and risk, which in the future leads to even greater health problems. Analogues of the drug are divided into 2 categories:
- Preparations similar in active ingredient. The element danazol is present in such medicines as “Danol”, “Vero-Danazol”, “Danodiol”, “Danogen” and “Danoval”.
- Drugs that differ in composition but have a similar therapeutic effect. This list includes “Klimadinon Uno”, “Non-Land”, “Remens”, “Onagris”.
It is strictly forbidden to make a decision on the replacement of a medicine on your own. This is because the instructions of “Danazole” and the instructions of analogues are different. For another drug, a different dosage regimen may be required.
Reviews of patients and doctors
Despite the large number of possible side effects, many patients were satisfied with the effect of the drug. Some women report that they have a diagnosis of endometriosis accompanied by infertility. After a course of treatment with “Danazol”, sexual desire was restored, the diagnosis was removed and the reproductive function returned.
Doctors characterize this drug as one of the most effective of this drug group. In most cases, therapy is well tolerated by patients. To eliminate side effects, it is enough to reduce the prescribed daily dose of the drug.
At the same time, doctors emphasize: in each case, the attending physician selects individual treatment based on many indicators. For this reason, it is forbidden to take this drug on your own.