Side effects of long-term prophylaxis with attenuated androgens in hereditary angioedema: Comparison of treated and untreated patients,☆☆,

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0091-6749(97)70095-2Get rights and content

Section snippets

Methods

We studied 24 men and 46 women with HAE. The diagnosis was based on personal and family history of recurrent angioedema symptoms and low levels of functional C1-inhibitor. Eight men and 28 women (age range, 22 to 74 years; median age, 44 years) had been receiving prophylactic treatment with attenuated androgens (danazol, stanozolol, or both in different periods). Fifteen men and 18 women (age range, 15 to 67 years; median age, 44 years) who had never received attenuated androgens or any other

Results

Five patients were treated only with danazol, 31 with danazol and stanozolol in different periods, and none with stanozolol only. The dose was established on a clinical basis as the minimal dose at which the patient remained nearly free of symptoms (i.e, 2 or fewer minor attacks per year). This daily dose ranged from 1 to 2 mg for stanozolol and from 50 to 200 mg for danazol. Two patients receiving stanozolol and six receiving danazol, although experiencing two to six minor attacks per year,

Discussion

Attenuated androgens became the treatment of choice for severe HAE almost 20 years ago. Their extraordinary effectiveness changed the quality of life for patients with this disease. However, because the treatment may easily last throughout life (major contraindications are limited to childhood and pregnancy), their long-term toxicity needs to be continually assessed.

The data reported in this article suggest that stanozolol is slightly more effective than danazol, probably because its fewer side

First page preview

First page preview
Click to open first page preview

References (11)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (148)

  • Prophylactic Therapy for Hereditary Angioedema

    2017, Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
  • Burden of Illness and Quality-of-Life Measures in Angioedema Conditions

    2017, Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
  • Allergic Dermatoses

    2016, Primary Care - Clinics in Office Practice
View all citing articles on Scopus

From the Institute of Internal Medicine University of Milan, Istituto di Ricovera e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Maggiore.

☆☆

Reprint requests: Angelo Agostoni, MD, Istituto di Medicina Interna, Via Pace 15, 20122 Milano, Italy.

1/1/76584

View full text