Danocrine vs. Lupron

Danazol and Lupron Injection (leuprolide acetate) are used to treat symptoms of endometriosis.

Danazol is also used to treat breast pain/tenderness/nodules due to fibrocystic breast disease.

Lupron is also used in women to treat symptoms of uterine fibroids, in men to treat symptoms of prostate cancer, and in male and female children to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty.

A brand name of danazol is Danocrine.

Danazol and Lupron belong to different drug classes. Danazol is a steroid and Lupron is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Side effects of danazol and Lupron that are similar include acne, flushing, sweating, vaginal discomfort/dryness/irritation/burning/itching, or depression.

Side effects of danazol that are different from Lupron include weight gain, oily skin or hair, hair loss, voice changes (hoarseness, changes in pitch), sore throat, abnormal growth of body hair (in women), decreased breast size, water retention or bloating, irritability, changes in menstrual cycle (spotting, irregular bleeding, missed periods), nervousness, and mood changes.

Side effects of Lupron that are different from danazol include redness/burning/stinging/pain/bruising at the injection site, hot flashes, night sweats, tiredness, headache, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, breast swelling or tenderness, joint/muscle aches or pain, trouble sleeping (insomnia), reduced sexual interest, vaginal discharge or bleeding, swelling of the ankles/feet, increased urination at night, dizziness, breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first 2 months of leuprolide treatment, weakness, chills, clammy skin, skin redness, itching or scaling, testicle pain, impotence, increased growth of facial hair, or memory problems.

Danazol may interact with warfarin, carbamazepine, antidiabetic drugs, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, synthetic vitamin D analogs, and statins.

Lupron may interact with antibiotics, antifungal medicines, antidepressants, anti-malaria medicines, asthma inhalers, antipsychotic medicines, cancer medicines, certain HIV/AIDS medicines, heart or blood pressure medicines, or medicines to prevent vomiting.

Side effects of Danocrine include:

•  acne or other skin problems
• increased hair growth or hair loss
• weight gain
• breast changes
• deepened voice
• hoarseness
• sore throat
• nervousness
•  increased sweating
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
• decreased amount of semen released during sex
• changes in your menstrual periods
• unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting,
• or vaginal dryness/discomfort/itching

Common side effects of Lupron include:

• redness/burning/stinging/pain/bruising at the injection site,
• hot flashes (flushing),
• increased sweating,
• night sweats,
• tiredness,
• headache,
• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• breast swelling or tenderness,
• acne,
• joint/muscle aches or pain,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• reduced sexual interest,
• vaginal discomfort/dryness/itching/discharge,
• vaginal bleeding,
• swelling of the ankles/feet,
• increased urination at night,
• dizziness,
• breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first 2 months of leuprolide treatment,
• weakness,
• chills,
• clammy skin,
• skin redness,
• itching or scaling,
• testicle pain,
• impotence,
• depression,
• increased growth of facial hair, or
• memory problems.

Danocrine (danazol) is a steroid used to treat endometriosis and fibrocystic breast disease. Danocrine is also used to prevent attacks of angioedema in people with an inherited form of this disorder.

Lupron Injection (leuprolide acetate) is a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone used in men to treat symptoms of prostate cancer, and in women to treat symptoms of endometriosis (overgrowth of uterine lining outside of the uterus) or uterine fibroids. Lupron Injection is also used to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in both male and female children.

Danocrine may interact with blood thinners, or carbamazepine. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Danocrine can cause birth defects. Do not use Danocrine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Before you start taking Danocrine, you may need to have a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use an effective barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide gel or inserts). Hormonal contraception (such as birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective to prevent pregnancy during treatment. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Lupron Injection.

In moderate to severe disease, or in patients infertile due to endometriosis, a starting dose of 800 mg Danocrine given in two divided doses is recommended. The total daily dosage of Danocrine for fibrocystic breast disease ranges from 100 mg to 400 mg given in two divided doses depending upon patient response.

Dosage of Lupron Injection depends on the condition being treated, and the patient's age and sex.