Improvement of intractable acne in a man following testosterone suppression using danazol

Sometimes, oral contraceptives have been successful in treating resistant cases of acne in girls, probably by reducing testosterone levels (both total and free) by suppressing the pituitary gonadotropins. Danazol is a new agent which also suppresses gonadotropins, but it is an impeded androgen with negligible estrogen effects. It would seem, therefore, a more appropriate drug to treat intractable acne in men since it suppresses testosterone levels. Presented herein is a twenty-five year old man with severe acne that did not improve after treatment with conventional topical agents and systemic antibiotics. The patient's condition showed considerable improvement after three months of danazol therapy. However, although, the acne remained suppressed while the patient was receiving the medication, when the medication was stopped, the acne returned. Again, the condition was suppressed after the medication was resumed. Other than mild weight gain, no significant side effects were noted in this patient. His libido remained unchanged and no problems with impotence developed. Danazol may prove to be a useful drug for treating acne especially in postpubertal men in whom the condition does not respond with conventional therapy.