Danazol

Precautions to keep in mind

Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine does not cause unwanted effects.

Contact your doctor if you are a female and have a larger clitoris (sexual organ), deepening of your voice, or unnatural hair growth after taking danazol. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking the medicine so these effects do not get worse.

For patients with diabetes:

• This medicine may affect blood glucose (sugar) levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine glucose test or if you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Danazol may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness, or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:

• Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
• Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
• Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of a least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Apply a sun block lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor.

If you are taking danazol for endometriosis or fibrocystic breast disease:

• During the time you are taking danazol, your menstrual period may not be regular or you may not have a menstrual period at all. This is to be expected when you are taking this medicine. If regular menstruation does not begin within 60 to 90 days after you stop taking this medicine, check with your doctor.
• During the time you are taking danazol, you should use birth control methods that do not contain hormones. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• If you suspect that you may have become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor. Continued use of danazol during pregnancy may cause male-like changes in female babies.