Treatment of hereditary angioedema with danazol. Reversal of clinical and biochemical abnormalities.
Danazol, an androgen derivative, was evaluated for its effectiveness in preventing attacks of hereditary angioedema in a double-blind study with nine patients. Of 47 placebo courses, 44 ended with attacks, but during 46 danazol courses only one attack occurred. Side effects were minimal, and virilization was not observed in the women studied. C1 esterase inhibitor levels increased three to four times, and levels of the fourth component of complement (C4) increased 15 times. These changes began during the first day of therapy and were maximal by one to two weeks. After therapy was stopped, C1 esterase inhibitor and C4 levels rapidly decreased. Danazol effectively prevents attacks in hereditary angioedema and acts to correct the underlying biochemical abnormality.
D000328:Adult; D000799:Angioedema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003613:Danazol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004950:Esterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011245:Pregnadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins; D003181:Complement C4; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011245:Pregnadienes; D004950:Esterases; D003613:Danazol