Treatment of hereditary angioneurotic oedema (HANE) with tibolone.

OBJECTIVE

Eight women, aged 25-58 years, with hereditary angioneurotic oedema (HANE) were treated with tibolone, a synthetic steroid exhibiting oestrogenic, androgenic and progestational activity.

DESIGN

Pilot study.

RESULTS

Tibolone at a dose of 2.5-7.5 mg/day significantly reduced the number and severity of attacks and the number of ampoules of C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) needed for symptomatic therapy. The efficacy of tibolone was comparable to that of danazol, while the androgenic side-effects were considerably reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Tibolone may represent an alternative to danazol administration for the prophylaxis of HANE in women.