Deflazacort

What is Deflazacort?

Deflazacort is part of the Corticosteroids medications used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive disease that causes muscle weakness and wasting. It is not a cure for DMD, but it may improve muscle strength and slow the progression of disability (1) (3) (4).

Dosage

Deflazacort comes in tablet and suspension (liquid) forms to be taken orally. It is usually taken once a day with or without food, at around the same time every day. The dosage may vary depending on the patient's age, weight, and the condition being treated. It is important to follow the directions on the prescription label carefully and to ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that is not understood. The doctor may need to adjust the dose if the patient experiences unusual stress on the body, such as surgery, illness, or infection (1) (3) (4).

Side Effects

Common side effects of deflazacort include:

• Increased appetite
• Weight gain
• Stomach upset
• Mood changes
• Difficulty sleeping
• Acne
• Increased hair growth
• Easy bruising
• Slow wound healing

Less common but more serious side effects may include:

• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Osteoporosis
• Increased risk of infection
• Adrenal suppression

It is important to contact a doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur (1) (3) (4).

Interactions

Deflazacort may interact with other medications, including:

• Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Anticoagulants
• Antidiabetic drugs
• Vaccines
• Live vaccines
• Estrogens
• Barbiturates
• Phenytoin
• Rifampin

It is important to inform the doctor of all medications and supplements being taken before starting deflazacort (1) (3) (4).

Time of Day and With or Without Food

Deflazacort can be taken with or without food, and it is usually taken once a day at around the same time every day (1) (3) (4).

Human Studies

Deflazacort has been shown to be as effective as prednisone or methylprednisolone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in children with juvenile chronic arthritis. It has also demonstrated some efficacy as treatment for nephrotic syndrome, Duchenne dystrophy, systemic lupus erythematosus, uveitis, and transplantation. However, insufficient data are available to draw firm conclusions regarding the efficacy of deflazacort as treatment for patients with severe asthma (5).

Summary
To summarize, Deflazacort is a corticosteroid medication used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is usually taken once a day with or without food, and the dosage may vary depending on the patient's age, weight, and the condition being treated. Common side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, stomach upset, mood changes, and difficulty sleeping. Deflazacort may interact with other medications, and it is important to inform the doctor of all medications and supplements being taken before starting deflazacort. Deflazacort has been shown to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, Duchenne dystrophy, systemic lupus erythematosus, uveitis, and transplantation, but more research is needed to determine its efficacy in treating severe asthma.

Citations:
(1) https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a617024.html
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflazacort
(3) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20103-deflazacort-tablets
(4) https://www.drugs.com/mtm/deflazacort.html
(5) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8521761/

Comparison Table of Corticosteroids

Below is a table that compares these corticosteroids based on relative potency, equivalent dose, and duration of action:

Note: The potency and equivalent dose values in this table are approximate and can vary depending on the source. The duration of action can be affected by individual metabolism rates and formulations.

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