Deflazacort

Indications

Deflazacort is used for: Allergic and inflammatory disorders

Adult Dose

Oral Allergic and inflammatory disorders Adult: Initially, up to 120 mg daily. Maintenance: 3-18 mg/day. Hepatic impairment: Dose reductions may be needed.

Child Dose

Oral Allergic and inflammatory disorders Child: 0.25-1.5 mg/kg/day given on alternate days.

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Systemic infection; live virus vaccines in those receiving immunosuppressive doses.

Precautions

Adrenal suppression and infection, child, adolescents, elderly, history of TB and steroid myopathy, hypertension, recent MI, CHF, liver failure, renal impairment, DM and glaucoma (including family history), osteoporosis, corneal perforation, severe affective disorders, epilepsy, peptic ulcer, hypothyroidism, pregnancy and lactation.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Antacids, ACE inhibitors, acetazolamide, adrenergic neuron blockers, antidiabetics, aspirin, barbiturate, ?-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, carbamazepine, carbenoxolone, cardiac glycosides, clonidine, coumarins, diazoxide, diuretics, erythromycin, hydralazine, ketoconazole, methotrexate, methyldopa, mifepristone, minoxidil, moxonidine, nitrates, nitroprusside, NSAIDs, oestrogens, phenytoin, primidone, rifamycins, ritonavir, somatropin, ?2 sympathomimetics, theophylline, vaccines.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Deflazacort : GI disturbances, musculoskeletal, endocrine, neuropsychiatric, ophthalmic, fluid and electrolyte disturbances; susceptible to infection, impaired healing, hypersensitivity, skin atrophy, striae, telangiectasia, acne, myocardial rupture following recent MI, thromboembolism.

Mechanism of Action

Deflazacort, derived from prednisolone, is a corticosteroid with mainly glucocorticoid activity. An anti-inflammatory dose of 6 mg deflazacort is equiv to 5 mg prednisolone.