Danazol relieves refractory pruritus associated with myeloproliferative disorders and other diseases

✍ Scribed by Kolodny, Luciano; Horstman, Lawrence L.; Sevin, Bernd-Uwe; Brown, Harvey; Ahn, Yeon S.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 436 KB
• Volume: 51
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0361-8609
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8652(199602)51:2<112::aid-ajh3>3.0.co;2-0

✦ Synopsis

Severe pruritus is frequently associated with myeioproliferative and other systemic illnesses, and often fails to respond to conventional measures. We used danazoi (Danocrineo), a synthetic attenuated androgen, in the treatment of severe pruritus refractory to conventional therapy. Eight patients had myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), seven had autoimmune disorders, and seven had skin diseases. Danazol at 400-800 mglday was administered, and previous medications were tapered off. When itching was controlled with danazol alone, the dosage was reduced or discontinued, and resumed if itching recurred. Clinical responses were graded, and side effects were monitored. Overall, in 12 of 22 patients refractory to other measures, itching was controlled with danazoi alone. In 10 patients itching returned when danazoi was discontinued or dosage was reduced, and was relieved upon resumption or increase of dosage. Danazoi therapy was continued for up to 5 years In responders. No serious side effects were observed. Our experience indicates that danazol is a good alternative for patients with severe pruritus associated with myeloprollferatlve and other systemic disorders.