Deflazacort
About Deflazacort
Deflazacort is used to treat autoimmune conditions like Duchenne 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 and is unable to distinguish between foreign cells and native cells.
Deflazacort is an immunosuppressive drug that binds to immune cells, resulting in the inhibition of inflammation and autoimmune diseases that occur due to the production of chemicals called cytokines, which are responsible for inflammation.
Some people may experience nausea, chest pain, vomiting, drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, tremors, nervousness, diarrhoea, and fast heartbeats. If the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Before starting Deflazacort, please inform your doctor that you are allergic or hypersensitive to Deflazacort. Extra care is needed when a patient has an existing infection being treated (systemic infection) or has recently received live virus vaccines. A doctor's consultation is required as Deflazacort is not safe to use during pregnancy.
Uses of Deflazacort
• Treatment of DMD: Deflazacort used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy by slowing muscle degeneration, preserving strength, and improving mobility.
• Anti-Inflammatory Treatment: Deflazacort reduces inflammation and relieves symptoms associated with conditions like arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.
• Autoimmune Disorders Management: Deflazacort helps to manage autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis by suppressing the immune response.
• Relief from Allergic Reactions: Deflazacort provides relief from symptoms of allergic reactions, such as allergic rhinitis, by reducing inflammation and immune response.
• Managing Respiratory Conditions: Deflazacort is also involved in managing respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD by reducing airway inflammation.
• Skin Disorders Treatment: Deflazacort treats skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis by reducing inflammatory responses.
Medicinal Benefits
- Deflazacort is used in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
- It is beneficial in inflammatory diseases, including asthma, arthritis, and allergies.
- It works by reducing the formation of inflammatory substances and suppressing the immune system's response to prevent self-damage (autoimmune reactions that occur in organ transplants, autoimmune diseases, or cancer).
- Deflazacort is a steroid that interacts with overactive immune cells, slowing their activity and decreasing the damaging effects they cause in the body.
- Deflazacort makes organ transplantation possible and treats muscle disorders like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Directions for Use
- Deflazacort can be taken with or without food.
- It is usually taken once daily at the same time each day or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Deflazacort as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush or chew this medication.
- If you cannot swallow the tablet as a whole, you may break it in half and take both halves separately.
Storage
Side Effects of Deflazacort
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Excessive abdominal fat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Skin redness
- Irritability
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
- Irregular behavior
- Fever
- Back pain
- Acne
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Nosebleeds
- 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 and 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 and for at least 4-6 weeks, do not take any live vaccine, as it may cause severe allergic reactions.
- Do not quit taking deflazacort without consulting your physician. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, stomach upset, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, peeling skin, and weight loss may occur when the medication is stopped suddenly.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Deflazacort interacts with anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drugs like rifampicin and rifabutin, pain-relieving drugs like carbamazepine, Anti-seizure drugs like phenobarbital, phenytoin, and pyrimethamine, and antifungals 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, Thyroid, blood pressure, kidney diseases, glaucoma, and herpes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe effect of taking both alcohol and Deflazacort may lead to bleeding and ulcers in the stomach. A doctor's consultation is recommended.
Pregnancy
unsafeNot recommended in pregnant females. Deflazacort crosses the placenta and increases the risk of fetal and neonatal damage.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorNo adverse effect is reported, yet it is advised to have a doctor's consultation for breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
unsafeA patient may experience muscle weakness/feel 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
consult your doctorBefore using Deflazacort, it is recommended to have a doctor's consultation. It may affect the kidneys 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 their hygiene and stay away from places or people believed to be a cause of infection, as this drug affects the immune system. Therefore, proper care is necessary.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle by practising meditation and Yoga.
- Eat fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables and dry fruits, etc.
Special Advise
- Do not take a live vaccine while taking Deflazacort and for at least 4-6 weeks before starting it.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication, as grapefruit has an interaction with Deflazacort.
- Regular eye check-ups, bone mineral test and liver function test are 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 and 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 Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It may also be used to treat allergic and inflammatory disorders.
Not recommended for mild allergies. Deflazacort is recommended only after consulting a doctor, as it is a strong medicine that produces considerable side effects, and is used only in moderate to severe cases.
It is not recommended to take Deflazacort with alcohol as it may cause stomach bleeding.
No, it is not recommended to be used in seasonal allergy or mild cases. Only on a doctor's 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, diarrhea 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.
