Deflazacort

What is Deflazacort?

Deflazacort, a steroid used for the treatment of Duchenne muscle dystrophy, is prescribed to adults and children older than 2 years. Deflazacort does not cure muscular dystrophy, but it may help improve the strength of muscles and reduce disability. Deflazacort can also be used in other ways not mentioned in the medication guide.

Side effects of Deflazacort

If you experience symptoms of an allergy, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling on your face and throat, or severe skin reactions like a fever, a sore throat, burning eyes, or skin pain, or have rashes with blisters or peeling skin, seek emergency medical attention.

Deflazacort may cause serious side effects. If you experience:

• Fever, chills, and weakness are all symptoms of a fever.
• Severe or ongoing diarrhea;
• Any skin rash;
• Blurred vision, pain in the eyes, or halos around lights
• You may experience swelling in your feet or hands.
• Severe muscle weakness
• Reduced adrenal gland hormones: weakness, diarrhea, nausea, and menstrual irregularities, as well as skin discoloration.
• Increased adrenal hormones: weight gain on your upper and lower back, discoloration of the skin, acne, body hair growth, fatigue, changes in mood, changes in the menstrual cycle, changes to sexuality, etc.
• High blood sugar: increased thirst, increased urination, and a fruity breath smell;
• Constipation. Leg cramps.

Deflazacort may affect the growth of children. If your child's growth isn't normal while taking this medication, tell your doctor.

Deflazacort side effects may include:

• Increased appetite
• Weight gain
• Increased body hair growth
• Sleep problems
• Cold symptoms, including stuffy noses, sneezings, sore throats, and coughs;
• Urination is frequent.
• Changes in body fat distribution, especially in your back and face.

There may be other side effects. Call your physician immediately if experiencing symptoms. Also report them by calling the FDA's Consumer Line: 1-800-FDA-1088.

Similar/related drugs

Elevidys, Viltepso, Eteplirsen, Delandistrogene Moxeparvovec, and Amondys 45

Warnings

Please read all the instructions on the label or package of your medication. Inform your doctors about your allergies and medical conditions. Also, tell them which medicines you are using.

Before you take this drug

If you have an allergy to deflazacort, then it is best not to use this product. Deflazacort shouldn't be administered to a baby younger than two years of age. Deflazacort orally suspended (liquid) is a drug that contains an active ingredient that can have serious side effects and even cause death for very young babies or those who are premature.

If you've ever:

• Viral, bacterial or fungal infections
• Heart problems High blood pressure
• A stroke or blood clot
• Fluid retention;
• Kidney disease
• Liver diseases (especially hepatitis B);
• A stomach or intestinal problem;
• A colostomy or ileostomy;
• Herpes in the eye, cataracts, or glaucoma
• Diabetes;
• A disorder of the nerves and muscles, like myasthenia gravis
• Low bone mineral density;
• Thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal problems

All vaccines should be up-to-date. You should tell your doctor whether you received a recent vaccine or are due for a booster. If you are a smoker, do not exercise enough, do not consume enough calcium or vitamin D, or have a history of osteoporosis in the family, long-term steroid use can lead to bone loss. If you plan on becoming pregnant or are already pregnant, tell your doctor. Deflazacort taken at any stage of pregnancy can affect the adrenal hormones produced by newborn babies. If your child has any symptoms, such as weakness, dry skin, vomiting, or feeding difficulties, tell your doctor. Deflazacort may cause problems if breast-feeding is attempted. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about any risks.

How to take Deflazacort?

Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed. Take deflazacort either with food or without. Take multiple tablets with different strengths to get the correct dosage. Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions. You can crush the tablet and mix it with a teaspoon of applesauce if you are unable to swallow the whole thing. The mixture should be swallowed immediately without chewing. Don't save the mixture for future use. Before measuring a dosage, shake the orally suspended liquid. Do not use a spoon to measure the dose. Use only the dosing needle provided. Pour your dose, measured with milk, fruit juice, or grapefruit. Do not wait to drink this mixture. Weight is used to determine Deflazacort dosage (especially for children and adolescents). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight.

You may be more susceptible to infection if you take Deflazacort. It is possible that you will need to undergo frequent medical testing. You may need your vision and bone density checked. Inform your doctor about recent travel. You may have come into contact with certain infections that are common in some parts of the globe. Deflazacort may cause the virus to be active again or worsen if you have ever been infected with hepatitis B. It is possible that you will need to have frequent liver function testing. Tell your surgeon if you plan to have surgery that you're taking deflazacort. Keep away from heat and moisture. Store at room temperature. After opening the deflazacort bottle, throw away all liquids that you have not used in one month. Deflazacort should not be stopped abruptly. You should follow your doctor's advice on how to taper your dosage. If you're under stress or have an emergency medical situation, you may need to start deflazacort again.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for muscle dystrophy:

Orally, approximately 0.9 mg/kg once daily
Comments:
If tablets are being used, it is best to round up the doses as closely as possible.
If the suspension is taken orally, it is best to round up the dosage by 10 mL.
If this medication has been taken for more than a few days, it is important to gradually reduce the dose.
Treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The usual pediatric dose for muscular dystrophy

For 2 year olds and older, approximately 0.9 mg/kg taken orally one time a day
Comments:
If tablets are being used, it is best to round up the doses as closely as possible.
If the suspension is taken orally, it is best to round up the dosage by tenths of a milliliter.
If this medication has been taken for more than a few days, it is important to gradually reduce the dose.
Treatment of DMD

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for the next dose, skip the missed one. Take only one dose at any one time. Do not double up on doses taken simultaneously.

What happens if I overdose?

Contact 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poison exposure and seek emergency medical help immediately.

What should be avoided?

Deflazacort may cause unwanted side effects if grapefruit or grapefruit juice are consumed. Use grapefruit juice and products as little as possible while you are taking deflazacort.

During the time you are taking deflazacort, and at least four to six weeks prior to starting it, avoid receiving a live vaccine. You could get a serious illness.

• The live vaccines are measles (MMR), rubella, mumps (R), rotavirus (typhoid), yellow fever (chickenpox), varicella (Zoster or Shingles), as well as the nasal flu vaccine (influenza).
• It is still possible to get a flu vaccine every year, as well as an "inactivated", or "delayed" vaccination, to protect against diseases like hepatitis, meningitis, shingles, HPV, or whooping cough.
• Consult your physician before receiving any vaccination.

Stay away from people with infections or illnesses. If you have been exposed to measles or chickenpox, call your doctor immediately for treatment. The conditions are serious and can even be fatal for people taking steroid medication.

Interaction with other drug

It is sometimes not safe to take certain drugs at the same time. Some medications can cause side effects that increase or decrease the effectiveness of another drug you are taking. Your doctor might need to adjust your doses for any regular medicines that you regularly take when you begin or stop using deflazacort. Deflazacort can be affected by many drugs. These include prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines. This list does not include all interactions.Inform your physician of all medications you are currently taking as well as those that you plan to stop or start using in the near future.