Danazol
/api/v1/drug/danazolBoxed warning
Use of danazol in pregnancy is contraindicated. A sensitive test (e.g., beta subunit test if available) capable of determining early pregnancy is recommended immediately prior to start of therapy. Additionally a non-hormonal method of contraception should be used during therapy. If a patient becomes pregnant while taking danazol, administration of the drug should be discontinued and the patient should be apprised of the potential risk to the fetus. Exposure to danazol in utero may result in androgenic effects on the female fetus; reports of clitoral hypertrophy, labial fusion, urogenital sinus defect, vaginal atresia, and ambiguous genitalia have been received (see PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy, Teratogenic Effects ). Thromboembolism, thrombotic and thrombophlebitic events including sagittal sinus thrombosis and life-threatening or fatal strokes have been reported. Experience with long-term therapy with danazol is limited. Peliosis hepatis and benign hepatic adenoma have been observed with long-term use. Peliosis hepatis and hepatic adenoma may be silent until complicated by acute, potentially life-threatening intraabdominal hemorrhage. The physician therefore should be alert to this possibility. Attempts should be made to determine the lowest dose that will provide adequate protection.
Mechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action class: Androgen Receptor Agonists.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- Endometriosis. Danazol capsules are indicated for the treatment of endometriosis amenable to hormonal management.ICD-10: N80.9
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- Danazol capsules should not be administered to patients with: Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. Markedly impaired hepatic, renal, or cardiac function.contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDAEndometriosis. In moderate to severe disease, or in patients infertile due to endometriosis, a starting dose of 800 mg given in two divided doses is recommended. Amenorrhea and rapid response to painful symptoms is best achieved at this dosage level. Gradual downward titration to a dose sufficient to maintain amenorrhea may be considered depending upon patient response. For mild cases, an initial daily dose of 200 mg to 400 mg given in two divided doses is recommended and may be adjusted depending on patient response. Therapy should begin during menstruation. Otherwise, appropriate tests should be performed to ensure that the patient is not pregnant while on therapy with danazol capsules (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS ). It is essential that therapy continue uninterrupted for 3 to 6 months but may be extended to 9 months if necessary. After termination of therapy, if symptoms recur, treatment can be reinstituted. Hereditary Angioedema. The dosage requirements for continuous treatment of hereditary angioedema with danazol capsules should be individualized on the basis of the clinical response of the patient. It is recommended that the patient be started on 200 mg, two or three times a day. After a favorable initial response is obtained in terms of prevention of episodes of edematous attacks, the proper continuing dosage should be determined by decreasing the dosage by 50% or less at intervals of one to three months or longer if frequency of attacks prior to treatment dictates. If an attack occurs, the daily dosage may be increased by up to 200 mg.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAThe following events have been reported in association with the use of danazol capsules: Androgen like effects include weight gain, acne and seborrhea. Mild hirsutism, edema, hair loss, voice change, which may take the form of hoarseness, sore throat or of instability or deepening of pitch, may occur and may persist after cessation of therapy. Hypertrophy of the clitoris is rare. Other possible endocrine effects are menstrual disturbances including spotting, alteration of the timing of the cycle and amenorrhea. Although cyclical bleeding and ovulation usually return within 60-90 days after discontinuation of therapy with danazol capsules, persistent amenorrhea has occasionally been reported. Flushing, sweating, vaginal dryness and irritation and reduction in breast size, may reflect lowering of estrogen. Nervousness and emotional lability have been reported. In the male a modest reduction in spermatogenesis may be evident during treatment. Abnormalities in semen volume, viscosity, sperm count, and motility may occur in patients receiving long-term therapy. Hepatic dysfunction, as evidenced by reversible elevated serum enzymes and/or jaundice, has been reported in patients receiving a daily dosage of danazol capsules of 400 mg or more. It is recommended that patients receiving danazol capsules be monitored for hepatic dysfunction by laboratory tests and clinical observation.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Aug 9, 1996ANDAANDA074582Barr
- Sep 28, 2005ANDAANDA077246Lannett Co Inc
- Apr 19, 2007ANDAANDA078214Lannett
FAERS reports
- 1Drug Ineffective45116%
- 2Off Label Use41815%
- 3Headache31912%
- 4Angioedema2278.2%
- 5Hypersensitivity2268.2%
- 6Hereditary Angioedema2218.0%
- 7Drug Intolerance2157.8%
- 8Drug Ineffective For Unapproved Indication2137.7%
- 9Dysphonia2127.7%
- 10Swelling Face2127.7%
- 11Swollen Tongue2077.5%
- 12Platelet Count Decreased1937.0%
- 13Fatigue1816.6%
- 14Nausea1786.4%
- 15Product Use In Unapproved Indication1535.5%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Danazol as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Preventive Effects of Eclipta prostrata and Hordeum vulgare Extract Complex on Precocious Puberty in Danazol- and High-Fat Diet-Induced Rat Models.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025 · Kim YS, Eom T, Kim Y, et al.PMID 41303642DOI 10.3390/ijms262211158
- Therapeutic potential of luteolin in central precocious puberty: insights from a danazol-induced rat model.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2025 · Zha Z, Lei E, Wu X, et al.PMID 41019339DOI 10.3389/fendo.2025.1666932
- Rapid early remission in a patient with severe aplastic anemia: a case report of hetrombopag, cyclosporine, and danazol combination therapy.Frontiers in immunology · 2025 · Dai Y, Guo Q, Guo X, et al.PMID 40927718DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1609771
- In vitro evaluation of drug presence in the upper small intestine when antro-duodenal drug transfer of a highly permeable drug occurs after a high-calorie, high-fat meal.European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2025 · Dietrich S, Karagianni S, Ceulemans J, et al.PMID 40578455DOI 10.1016/j.ejps.2025.107185
- A national survey of four decades of hereditary angioedema prophylaxis: Efficacy and safety of old and new drugs.Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.) · 2025 · Horváth HR, Visy B, Kőhalmi KV, et al.PMID 40513629DOI 10.1016/j.clim.2025.110542
- Danazol causes significant changes in the cardiometabolic profile of patients with acquired aplastic anaemia.Blood cells, molecules & diseases · 2025 · Gurjar H, Jain A, Wangkheimayum S, et al.PMID 40174329DOI 10.1016/j.bcmd.2025.102921
- Simulation of Antral Conditions for Estimating Drug Apparent Equilibrium Solubility after a High-Calorie, High-Fat Meal.Molecular pharmaceutics · 2025 · Reppas C, Chorianopoulou C, Karkaletsi I, et al.PMID 39811984DOI 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c01038
- Transfusion-related cost offsets and time burden in patients with myelofibrosis on momelotinib vs. danazol from MOMENTUM.Future oncology (London, England) · 2024 · Masarova L, Verstovsek S, Liu T, et al.PMID 39072442DOI 10.1080/14796694.2024.2368450
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 43 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Danazol as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Low-Dose Danazol for the Treatment of Telomere Related DiseasesActive not recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 18 enrolled · National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)NCT03312400updated 2026-06-11
- A Phase 3 Study of Pacritinib in Patients With Primary Myelofibrosis, Post Polycythemia Vera Myelofibrosis, or Post-Essential Thrombocythemia MyelofibrosisActive not recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 407 enrolled · Swedish Orphan BiovitrumNCT03165734updated 2026-04-30
- A Study Comparing Imetelstat Versus Best Available Therapy for the Treatment of Intermediate-2 or High-risk Myelofibrosis (MF) Who Have Not Responded to Janus Kinase (JAK)-Inhibitor TreatmentActive not recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 327 enrolled · Geron CorporationNCT04576156updated 2025-12-04
- Letrozole vs Danazol for Endometriosis-Related Pain: Randomized TrialCompleted · Phase 2 · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Sidra SalmanNCT07183787updated 2025-09-19
- The TELO-SCOPE Study: Attenuating Telomere Attrition With Danazol. Is There Scope to Dramatically Improve Health Outcomes for Adults and Children With Pulmonary FibrosisTerminated · Phase 2 · Interventional · 29 enrolled · The University of QueenslandNCT04638517updated 2025-08-05
- Danazol for Treatment of Cytopenias in Patients With CirrhosisRecruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 10 enrolled · University of Southern CaliforniaNCT04873102updated 2025-07-11
- Effectiveness of Early Intervention in Transfusion Independent Aplastic Anemia: a Retrospective Medical Claims Database StudyCompleted · Observational · 1,603 enrolled · Novartis PharmaceuticalsNCT06669221updated 2024-11-01
- Safety Study of Danazol With Plasma Exchange and Steroids for the Treatment of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)Terminated · Phase 2 · Interventional · 9 enrolled · Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNCT00953771updated 2024-07-23
- The Combination of Teriflunomide and Danazol for Steroid-resistant/Relapse Immune ThrombocytopeniaUnknown · Phase 2 · Interventional · 124 enrolled · Peking University People's HospitalNCT06176911updated 2023-12-20
- A Study of Momelotinib Versus Danazol in Symptomatic and Anemic Myelofibrosis Participants (MOMENTUM)Completed · Phase 3 · Interventional · 195 enrolled · Sierra Oncology LLC - a GSK companyNCT04173494updated 2023-11-01
Frequently asked questions
- How does Danazol work?
- Mechanism-of-action class: Androgen Receptor Agonists.
- What is Danazol used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Danazol carries indications including: Endometriosis. Danazol capsules are indicated for the treatment of endometriosis amenable to hormonal management.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Danazol?
- Danazol is classified as Antigonadotropins and similar agents, Androgen, Androgen Receptor Agonists, Decreased Follicle Stimulating Hormone Secretion.
- What are the contraindications for Danazol?
- Danazol labeling lists contraindications including: Danazol capsules should not be administered to patients with: Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. Markedly impaired hepatic, renal, or cardiac function.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
danazol is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.