Preliminary observations on danazol therapy of systemic lupus erythematosus: effects on DNA antibodies, thrombocytopenia and complement.

Seven patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were treated with Danazol in a controlled study. Phenomena observed in some patients treated with Danazol were: 1) decrease in immunoglobulins and antibodies to native DNA; 2) increases in serum complement and platelets; and 3) clinical improvement. Ineffective drug trials were associated with increasing disease activity. Drug side effects were minimal. It appears that the drug may have an ameliorative effect on mildly active SLE patients and sometimes a marked effect on thrombocytopenia. Further evaluation of Danazol appears to be warranted for these types of patients but not for treatment of acute or severe forms of the disease.