Chemistry of Danazol

Danazol is a derivative of the synthetic hormone preparation that is related to testosterone. It has weak androgenic activity and no estrogenic or progestagenic effects.

The danazol molecule.

Mode of Action of Danazol

Danazol was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first drug to specifically treat endometriosis in the early 1970s. The observation that hyper androgenic states (an excess of male hormone) induce atrophy of the endometrium had led to the use of androgens in the treatment of endometriosis and danazol was one of these treatments put to the test. The efficacy of danazol is based on its ability to produce a high androgen and low oestrogen environment which results in atrophy of the endometriotic implants and thus an improvement in pain. Treatment with danazol was effective in relieving painful symptoms related to endometriosis when compared to placebo. Laparoscopic scores were also improved with danazol treatment when compared with either placebo or no treatment. Side effects were more commonly reported in those patients receiving danazol than for placebo. Although effective for endometriosis, its use is limited by its masculinizing side effects. Its role as a treatment for endometriosis has been largely replaced by the GnRH agonists. Unlike GnRH agonists, danazol does not induce osteoporosis.


Luciano et al8101 studied the effects of danazol on pituitary and gonadal function in seven normal women who volunteered to take danazol, 400 mg twice daily, for 2 months. The amenorrhoeic state induced by danazol was characterized by normal basal levels of gonadotropins, prolactin, and estrogen. Serum androgen levels were significantly increased as was the urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids. These observations failed to support the contention that danazol suppresses pituitary gonadotrophin secretion or directly inhibits steroidogenesis. The results suggested that danazol may have a primary site of action at the ovary by suppressing the normal, orderly process of follicular maturation.

Danazol (Danol Sanofi) has several modes of action. It tends to suppress the output of pituitary gonadotrophins (sex hormones) resulting in lowering of ovarian sex hormone production. It also reduces the effect of oestrogen and progesterone.

Though danazol prevents pregnancy particularly at higher dosage, it is not licensed for use as a contraceptive agent. Ovulation and cyclic bleeding usually return within 60 to 90 days when Danazol is discontinued.

Clinical Indications for Danazol

Danazol has been used in the treatment of:-



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