Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat painful periods (endometriosis) 2. To control swelling under skin (angioedema) 3. To manage hormonal breast changes (fibrocystic breasts) |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Acne 2. Dark-colored urine 3. Increased oiliness of the hair or skin 4. Muscle cramps or spasms 5. Rapid weight gain 6. Swelling of the feet or lower legs 7. Unusual tiredness or weakness |
| Additional Information | 1. Take medicine every day at the same time to maintain the drug well in the blood. 2. Do not stop the medicine usage suddenly 3. Don’t take this medicine without a doctor’s recommendation. |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | To be taken orally with a sip of water |
Danazol Uses
Danazol 200 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of synthetic steroids and is used for the following indications:
- Painful periods (endometriosis)
- Swelling under skin (angioedema)
- Hormonal breast changes (fibrocystic breasts)
Danazol side effects
More Common
- Acne
- Dark-colored urine
- Increased oiliness of the hair or skin
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Rapid weight gain
- Swelling of the feet or lower legs
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
Less Common
- Bleeding gums
- Bloating, pain, or tenderness of the abdomen or stomach
- Blood in the urine
- Burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except the smallest finger
- Changes in vision
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Complete or partial numbness or weakness on one side of body
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty with speaking
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Discharge from the nipple
- Eye pain
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever
- Headache
- Hives or other skin rash
- Joint pain
- Light-colored stools
- Loss of appetite (continuing)
- Loss of muscle coordination
- More frequent nosebleeds
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Purple- or red-colored, or other spots on the body or inside the mouth or nose
- Restlessness
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Sweating
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs, which may move upward to the arms, trunk, or face
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Unusual tiredness, weakness, or general feeling of illness
- Vomiting
- Yellow eyes or skin
How Danazol works
Danazol works by lowering estrogen and mimicking male hormones to shrink abnormal tissue, such as in endometriosis. It also increases the protective protein in hereditary angioedema to prevent swelling attacks. By rebalancing hormones and reducing inflammation, it helps the body regain control.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
Pregnant women are not recommended to take danazol; it can cause serious hormonal imbalance and affect baby growth and male characteristics in female babies, and there are no human studies supporting its safety during pregnancy. In case of an emergency, consult a doctor before using it.
Breastfeeding
Danazol passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop danazol.
Liver and Kidney Problems
Patients with previous liver and kidney damage are not recommended to take the medicine, as it can cause liver and kidney toxicity while being removed from the body.
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicine. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.
Danazol Interaction with Food Product
Danazol is generally safe with food, and it is recommended to avoid alcohol and smoking with Danazol, as they can alter the drug’s effect and may cause severe drowsiness and sedation because of their direct action on the brain.
Danazol Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Danazol 200 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Danazol Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
(1S,2R,13R,14S,17R,18S) -17-ethynyl-2,18-dimethyl-7-oxa-6-aza -penta cyclo[11.7.0.0²,¹⁰.0⁴,⁸.0¹⁴,¹⁸] icosa-4(8),5,9-trien-17-ol

Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take Danazol exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 800 mg of danazol per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like kidney and liver damage, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, severe low blood pressure, and dizziness. If you face any of the severe effects, meet the doctor.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
Directions for use
- Take Danazol exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking Danazol without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take Danazol, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Danazol Summary
Danazol is a synthetic steroid medication (from the antigonadotropic agent class) used to treat hormone-related conditions like endometriosis, hereditary angioedema (HAE), and fibrocystic breast changes. It works by lowering the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, helping shrink abnormal tissue and prevent swelling episodes. Common side effects include weight gain, acne, oily skin, voice changes, and irregular periods, as it mimics some male hormone effects. Danazol can interact with blood thinners, insulin, and other hormone-based drugs, so doctors monitor closely for changes in blood sugar, clotting, or hormone levels. It should be stored at room temperature (20–25°C) in a dry place, away from heat and moisture. In simple terms, danazol helps “dial down” hormone activity to ease symptoms, but it needs careful supervision due to its strong effects on the body. Danazol overdose may cause weight gain, acne, or liver strain, and risk rises above 800 mg per day. Elderly, liver/kidney-impaired, and hormone-sensitive individuals should avoid consuming this medication without a doctor’s consultation.
FAQ’s
What are the uses of Danazol tablets?
Danazol is a synthetic steroid medication (from the antigonadotropic agent class) used to treat hormone-related conditions like endometriosis, hereditary angioedema (HAE), and fibrocystic breast changes.
What are the side effects of Danazol tablets?
Common side effects include weight gain, acne, oily skin, voice changes, and irregular periods, as it mimics some male hormone effects.
What is the mechanism of action of danazol?
Danazol works by lowering estrogen levels and mimicking male hormones. It blocks brain signals that trigger ovarian hormone production. This shrinks abnormal tissue and boosts protective proteins in angioedema. By calming inflammation and rebalancing hormones, it restores control.
What is the drug class of danazol tablet?
Danazol belongs to the class of synthetic steroids used for the treatment of fibrocystic breasts, endometriosis and angioedema
Reference
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2935, Danazol. [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [cited 2025 Aug 29]. Available from.
- Thornton P. Danazol: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects [Internet]. Drugs.com; 2023 Sep 25 [cited 2025 Aug 29]. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Danazol (oral route) – Side effects & dosage [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2025 Mar 31 [cited 2025 Aug 29]. Available from.
- Cho HJ. Danazol (Danocrine): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures [Internet]. WebMD; 2025 Jan 28 [cited 2025 Aug 29]. Available from.
- StatPearls. Danazol [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan [cited 2025 Aug 29]. Available from.

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.