Before taking Danazol(Danocrine)

During the use of danazol, patients must strictly follow the instructions or medical advice for medication, pay attention to various precautions when using the drug, and ensure the smooth progress of treatment.

What are the precautions for danazol (Danocrine)?

Danazol is a prescription drug. When patients use danazol for treatment, please note the following medication precautions:

1. Contraindication during pregnancy

Patients are advised to undergo a sensitive test (such as β-subunit test) to confirm early pregnancy immediately before starting treatment. Non-hormonal contraceptive methods should be used during treatment.

If a patient becomes pregnant while taking danazol, medication should be stopped. Doctors need to inform patients of the potential risks of danazol to the fetus. Intrauterine exposure to danazol may have androgenic effects on female fetuses. Reports have shown clitoral hypertrophy, labial fusion, urogenital sinus defects, vaginal atresia, and ambiguous genitalia in female fetuses.

2. Thrombosis risk

Thromboembolism, thrombosis, and thrombophlebitis events have been reported in patients using danazol, including sagittal sinus thrombosis and life-threatening or fatal strokes.

3. Liver disease risk

Long-term treatment experience with danazol is limited. Liver abscesses and benign hepatic adenomas have been observed with long-term use. Liver disease and hepatic adenomas may be asymptomatic before complicated by acute, potentially life-threatening intra-abdominal hemorrhage. When patients are treated with danazol, doctors should be alert to this possibility.

Doctors should attempt to determine the minimum dose that provides adequate protection. If patients start medication when hereditary angioedema worsens due to trauma, stress, or other reasons, regular attempts to reduce or discontinue treatment should be considered.

4. Intracranial hypertension

Danazol is associated with several cases of benign intracranial hypertension (also known as pseudotumor cerebri). Early signs and symptoms of benign intracranial hypertension include papilledema, headache, nausea and vomiting, and visual disturbances.

Patients with these symptoms should be screened for papilledema. If papilledema is present, patients should be advised to discontinue danazol immediately and referred to a neurologist for further diagnosis and care.