Deflazacort
About Deflazacort
Deflazacort is used to treat Duchene muscular dystrophy in adults and children above 2 years of age. Autoimmune disease is a health disorder in which the immune system doesn't work normally & is unable to distinguish between a foreign cell & a native cell. This condition results in an immune system that starts to attack native cells & organs, leading to medical problems like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Deflazacort is an immunosuppressive drug that works by binding to immune system cells and turns off the receptors that lead to their abnormal functioning or damaging effects. Deflazacort binds to immune cells, resulting in the inhibition of inflammation & autoimmune diseases that occur due to the production of chemicals called cytokines responsible for inflammation. Thus, a Deflazacort class of drugs is beneficial in autoimmune diseases and inflammation that causes harm in various organs, especially in joints in arthritis & skin psoriasis. Deflazacort makes organ transplantation possible & treats muscle disorders like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Deflazacort is available in both oral tablet and suspension dosage forms. The tablet form of Deflazacort can be taken with or without food and swallowed whole with a water glass. Do not crush, chew or break it. The liquid form of Deflazacort can be taken as advised by your doctor with a measuring cup. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Deflazacort based on your medical condition. Some people may experience nausea, chest pain, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, skin rash, tremors, nervousness, diarrhoea and fast heartbeats. Most of these side effects of Deflazacort do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor. Do not quit taking deflazacort without consulting your physician. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, a disturbed stomach, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, peeling skin, and weight loss may be caused by stopping the medication suddenly.
Before starting Deflazacort, please inform your doctor that you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Deflazacort. Extra care is to be taken when a patient has an already existing infection being treated (systemic infection) or has recently had some live virus vaccines. Doctors' consultation is required as Deflazacort is not safe to use during pregnancy.
Uses of Deflazacort
Medicinal Benefits
Deflazacort is beneficial in inflammatory diseases, including asthma, arthritis, and allergies. It is used in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). It raises the amount of glucocorticoid in the body. It works by reducing the formation of inflammatory substances and suppressing immunity to prevent self-damage caused by the immune system (auto-immune reactions occurring in organ transplants, autoimmune diseases, or cancer). Deflazacort is a steroid that interacts with overactive immune cells, slows their activity, and decreases the damaging effects they cause in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Deflazacort
Most of the side effects of Deflazacort do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor. Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, excessive abdominal fat, runny or stuffy nose, skin redness, irritability, abdominal discomfort or pain, irregular behaviour, fever, back pain, acne, nausea, restlessness, nosebleeds and stretch marks.
Drug Warnings
Patients with a history of tuberculosis (TB), heart disease or heart failure stomach disorders (gastritis, peptic ulcer), diabetes (including family history), osteoporosis (bone disease), myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), depression, mental distress, history of muscular problems caused by corticosteroids, kidney & liver dysfunction (including hepatic insufficiency and cirrhosis), should consult a doctor before using Deflazacort. This medicine is not recommended for children less than 5 years of age, lactating mothers and pregnant women. Avoid going near people who are sick or infected while using Deflazacort. Before taking Deflazacort for at least, 4-6 weeks do not take any live vaccine as it may cause severe allergic reactions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction: Deflazacort interact with anti-tuberculosis (anti TB) drugs like rifampicin, rifabutin, pain-relieving drugs like carbamazepine, Anti-seizure drugs like phenobarbitone, phenytoin & pyrimidine & antifungal like ketoconazole.
Drug-Food interaction: Not advised to be taken with grapefruit or its juice.
Drug-Disease interaction: Care should be exercised when Deflazacort is administered in patients with diabetes, cataracts, Thyroidism, blood pressure, kidney diseases, glaucoma & herpes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe effect of taking both alcohol and Deflazacort may lead to bleeding & ulcers in the stomach. Doctors' consultation is recommended.
Pregnancy
unsafeNot recommended in pregnant females.Deflazacort crosses the placenta and doses equivalent to >40 mg prednisolone daily increase the risk of fetal and neonatal damage.
Breast Feeding
cautionNo adverse effect is reported yet it is advised to have doctors' consultation by breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
unsafeA patient may experience muscle weakness/feeling tired. Do not drive and do not use tools or machines while using this drug.
Liver
cautionIf you've ever had hepatitis B or if you are a carrier of hepatitis B, using Deflazacort can cause this virus to become active or get worse. You may need frequent liver function tests. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Deflazacort.
Kidney
cautionBefore using Deflazacort by a kidney patient it is recommended to have a doctors consultation. It may affect the kidney in a few cases.
Children
unsafeDeflazacort is not recommended for children below 5 years of age. Children between 5-10 years of age should consult a doctor before using Deflazacort.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
A patient needs to take extra care of hygiene & stay away from places/people believed to be a cause of infection as this drug affects a patient's immune system & thus proper care is to be taken.
Special Advise
- While taking Deflazacort and for at least 4-6 weeks before you start taking it. If you are taking Deflazacort, so do not receive a 'live' vaccine or you could develop a serious infection.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication as grapefruit has interaction with Deflazacort.
- Regular eye check-ups, bone mineral test and liver function test is suggested while using Deflazacort.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Autoimmune disease: This is a group of disorders in which the immune system doesn't work properly due to various genetic & environmental reasons that start attacking normal cells, producing various chemicals resulting in unwanted and hazardous effects in patients. The overactive immune system leads to various symptoms that affect day-to-day life and promote diseases like arthritis and muscular weakness. The immune system can also damage the organ which has been transplanted to the patient from another person due to having different blood groups/antigens of the donor patient's organ. The immune system considers it a foreign, harmful body, leading to complications after transplanting an organ like a kidney, liver, or heart.
FAQs
Deflazacort is used to treat Duchene muscular dystrophy. It may also be used to treat allergic and inflammatory disorders.
Not recommended in mild allergies. Deflazacort is recommended only on consulting a doctor as Deflazacort is a strong medicine that produces considerable side effects & thus used only in moderate to severe cases.
It is not recommended to stop by a patient himself/herself, especially by a patient undergoing organ transplantation as it may worsen the situation.
It is not recommended to be taken Deflazacort with alcohol as it may cause stomach bleeding.
No its is not recommended to be used in seasonal allergy or mild cases. Only on doctors consultation, Deflazacort may be used in extreme cases of seasonal allergy.
You should not use Deflazacort if you have taken live vaccines of mumps, measles, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, yellow fever, typhoid, nasal flu (influenza), varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles). Do not take Deflazacort if you have a compromised immune system, eye problems or weak bones.
Yes, Deflazacort is a steroid medication. It's a corticosteroid, also known as a glucocorticoid.
Deflazacort is less potent than Prednisone and is usually administered proportionately in higher doses.
No, Deflazacort is not a painkiller. It is a steroid medication.
Yes, it can be used to treat kidney stones.
Swallow it whole with a glass of water at the start of a meal or slightly before. Space the doses evenly during the course. Do not chew or crush it. If you cannot swallow the tablet as a whole, you may break the pill into half and take both halves one at a time.
It may be unsafe for some to use. So please inform your doctor about your medical conditions and medications. Your doctor will decide whether it is suitable for you or not.
Yes, it is safe to use Deflazacort if prescribed by the doctor. Take it in the dose and duration prescribed by the doctor.
Inadequate data available on the use of this drug in pregnant women to inform a drug-related risk. So, it should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
Common side effects of Deflazacort may include nausea, chest pain, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, skin rash, tremors, nervousness, diarrhoea and fast heartbeats. Most of these side effects of Deflazacort do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. Please keep it away from pets and children.
