Successful Use of Oxandrolone in the Prophylaxis of Hereditary Angioedema: A Case Report

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Abstract
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder typified by a deficiency or dysfunction of the C1-esterase inhibitor (Cl-INH), and characterized clinically by swelling of the extremities, severe episodic abdominal pain and sometimes upper airway obstruction. This paper reports for the first time the successful use of oxandrolone in the prophylaxis of HAE in a 14-year-old girl. Oxandrolone has comparatively milder side effects and less potential for hepatotoxicity and virilization than other attenuated androgens used in the prophylaxis of this disease. We believe oxandrolone should be considered as an alternative androgen therapy for children and adults with HAE, particularly females experiencing untoward side effects from danazol or stanozolol, and patients who are not adequately controlled on maximum doses of androgens currently prescribed for HAE.