Danazol, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: gonadotropin inhibitor; anabolic steroid

Generic and brand names: danazol, oral

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat conditions such as endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, and hereditary angioedema (swelling of various parts of the body). Your healthcare provider will explain why you are taking this medicine.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicine
• bleeding problems such as hemophilia or abnormal vaginal bleeding
• diabetes
• heart problems
• liver or kidney disease
• epilepsy
• migraine headaches
• porphyria (chemical imbalance that can affect the nerves and skin).

Females of childbearing age: Do not become pregnant while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need birth control. Use a nonhormonal form of birth control such as a condom, diaphragm or sponge while taking this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

If you think that you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine and contact your provider right away.

Your healthcare provider may want to see you regularly to check your progress.

Women taking this medicine may have irregular menstrual periods. Check with your healthcare provider if they continue.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Swelling, muscle pain, weakness, yellowish skin or eyes, severe headache, severe nausea and vomiting, vision changes, unusual bruising or bleeding, swelling or painful calves, weight gain, swelling of the feet or ankles.

Other: Sweating, mood changes, acne, oily skin, flushing, deepening of your voice, unwanted hair growth, nausea, constipation, headache, vaginal irritation or dryness, menstrual changes, dizziness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• birth control pills or patches
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• cholesterol-lowering medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor)
• immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic)
• insulin and diabetes medicines taken by mouth such as acetohexamide (Dymelor), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase, Glynase), tolazamide (Tolinase), tolbutamide, and metformin (Glucophage)

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.