Deflazacort

Deflazacort is a corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

Deflazacort is prescribed by doctors for conditions such as:

• Severe asthma and serious allergic disorders
• Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases
• Nephrotic syndrome and selected kidney conditions
• Inflammatory skin diseases and certain blood disorders (e.g., ITP)
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy — to slow the decline of muscle strength
• Other inflammatory or immune conditions where the specialist finds a steroid necessary

The dose of Deflazacort depends entirely on the disease and the patient — adult doses commonly range from 6 mg to 90 mg per day initially, then are reduced stepwise to the lowest dose that controls the condition. Only the treating doctor can set and adjust the dose.

• Take it in the morning with or just after food to protect the stomach and match the body's hormone rhythm.
• After more than about 2–3 weeks of use, the dose must be tapered gradually; never stop abruptly.
• In children (including Duchenne muscular dystrophy), the dose is calculated by body weight and managed strictly by the specialist.
• Do not alter the dose yourself, even when you feel well.

Short courses are generally well tolerated. With larger doses or prolonged use, Deflazacort may cause:

• Increased appetite, weight gain and facial rounding
• Stomach irritation, acidity or ulcer
• Raised blood sugar and blood pressure
• Mood changes, irritability and sleep disturbance
• Higher risk of infections and slower wound healing
• Long-term: bone thinning (osteoporosis), cataracts and raised eye pressure, muscle weakness, skin thinning; growth slowing in children

Contact your doctor promptly for black stools, severe abdominal pain, eye symptoms, fever or signs of infection, or significant mood changes while on Deflazacort.

• Never stop Deflazacort suddenly after prolonged use — abrupt withdrawal can trigger adrenal crisis (severe weakness, vomiting, low blood pressure) and disease flare. Taper exactly as the doctor directs.
• Take with food in the morning to limit stomach irritation.
• Infections: steroids mask and worsen infections — avoid contact with chickenpox, measles or TB patients and report fever early. Tell your doctor about any past TB.
• Diabetes and blood pressure: monitor more frequently; medicines may need adjustment.
• Bones and eyes: long-term users may need calcium, vitamin D, bone density checks and periodic eye exams.
• Inform every doctor or dentist that you take steroids, especially before surgery, illness or vaccination; live vaccines are generally avoided during high-dose therapy.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take. Deflazacort interacts with:

• NSAID painkillers (aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac) — increased risk of stomach ulcer and bleeding.
• Diabetes medicines and insulin — blood sugar rises on steroids; doses may need adjusting.
• Rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital — speed up steroid breakdown, reducing its effect.
• Ketoconazole and some other CYP3A4 inhibitors — raise deflazacort levels; the doctor may reduce the dose.
• Diuretics — additive potassium loss.
• Warfarin — anticoagulant effect may change; monitor INR.
• Live vaccines — generally avoided during significant doses.

• Known hypersensitivity to Deflazacort or any component of the preparation
• Untreated widespread (systemic) infections, including systemic fungal infection
• Live vaccines during high-dose (immunosuppressive) treatment
• Use only under specialist supervision in active TB, uncontrolled diabetes, severe peptic ulcer or serious psychiatric illness

Deflazacort is used in pregnancy only when the doctor decides the mother's condition makes it necessary, at the lowest effective dose — untreated disease is often the greater risk. Long high-dose use needs monitoring of the baby's growth. Small amounts pass into breast milk; ordinary doses are usually compatible with breastfeeding, and with higher doses the doctor may advise timing feeds away from the dose. Never use Deflazacort in pregnancy or lactation without medical supervision.

Store Deflazacort below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and moisture. Keep the medicine in its original packaging and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack.