Use of danazol in the management of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Danazol, an impeded androgen, was used for treating three patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refractory to corticosteroid therapy. Sustained remission was achieved in one of the three cases. A temporary response was obtained in the second patient. In the last case, platelet count improved, but the patient died of severe interstitial pneumonitis. These observations confirm recent reports on the efficacy of danazol in the management of ITP and indicate that danazol treatment improves platelet counts in the majority of patients with refractory ITP, and in some cases may obviate the need for splenectomy.