DANAZOL RELIEVES REFRACTORY PRURITUS ASSOCIATED WITH MYELOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDERS AND OTHER DISEASES

Severe pruritus is frequently associated with myeloproliferative and o ther systemic illnesses, and often fails to respond to conventional me asures, We used danazol (Danocrine(TM)), a synthetic attenuated androg en, in the treatment of severe pruritus refractory to conventional the rapy. Eight patients had myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), seven had autoimmune disorders, and seven had skin diseases, Danazol at 400-800 mg/day was administered, and previous medications were tapered off, W hen itching was controlled with danazol alone, the dosage was reduced or discontinued, and resumed if itching recurred, Clinical responses w ere graded, and side effects were monitored, Overall, in 12 of 22 pati ents refractory to other measures, itching was controlled with danazol alone, In 10 patients itching returned when danazol was discontinued or dosage was reduced, and was relieved upon resumption or increase of dosage, Danazol 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 assoc iated with myeloproliferative and other systemic disorders. (C) 1996 W iley-Liss, Inc.