side effects
Last reviewed 01/2018
Side effects occur in 80% of women who take danazol (1).These are the result of:
- low oestrogen - hot flushes, vaginal dryness, reduced breast size
- increased androgen - weight gain, hirsutism, acne, voice changes
The majority of side effects resolve after danazol treatment is stopped - however voice changes (which have been estimated to affect about 3% of women treated (1)) may be irreversible.
Note that carpal tunnel syndrome has occasionally been attributed to the use of danazol (may occur secondary to fluid retention) (2).
More detailed information can be found in the BNF section 6.7.
Reference:
- (1) Shaw RW (1992). An open randomised comparative study of the effect of goserelin depot and danazol in the treatment of endometriosis. Fertil Steril, 58, 265-72.
- (2) Prescriber (2001), 12 (5), 43-8.