Deflazacort

Deflazacort belongs to the class of medication called steroid primarily 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, psoriasis & arthritis, etc.

Deflazacort is an immunosuppressive drug that works by binding to immune system cells and turns off the switches (receptors) that lead to their abnormal functioning or damaging effects. After taking the drug 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 make 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, tremor, 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. 

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) 

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 and slows their activity and decreases the damaging effects they cause in the body. 

Tablet: Swallow this tablet 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. Suspension: Measure the suspension in the measuring cup provided with the pack and consume it in the doses as directed by your doctor.

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

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.