Information of Deflazacoart

Deflazacort is a prodrug. Its potency is around 70–90% that of prednisone.Steroids form an important component of dermatological therapy and are used since very long time for different conditions in different forms. Though very few molecules are used since very long time, the side effect associated with this group of drugs are almost always there. Recently a new molecule deflazacort has been introduced into Indian market, is a glucocorticoid and a derivative of old molecule prednisolone. Though claimed to be having less side effect, very few studies have been done in Indian prospective. This review will highlight the very basics of this drug and its advantages and disadvantages.

Deflazacort is a glucocorticoid derived from prednisolone and 6 mg of deflazacort it has approximately the same anti-inflammatory potency as 5 mg prednisolone or prednisone. Doses vary widely in different diseases and different patients. In more serious and life-threatening conditions, high doses of deflazacort may need to be given. When deflazacort is used for long term in relatively benign chronic diseases, the maintenance dose should be kept as low as possible. Dosage may need to be increased during periods of stress or during exacerbation of illness. The dosage should be individually titrated according to diagnosis, severity of disease and patient response and tolerance. The lowest dose that will produce an acceptable response should be used .In patients with hepatic impairment; blood levels of deflazacort may be increased. Therefore, the dose of deflazacort should be carefully monitored and adjusted to the minimum effective dose. In renal impairment, no special precautions other than those usually adopted in patients receiving glucocorticoid therapy are necessary. In elderly patients, no special precautions other than those usually adopted in patients receiving glucocorticoid therapy are necessary. There has been limited exposure of children to deflazacort in clinical trials. In children, the indications for glucocorticoids are the same as for adults, but it is important that the lowest effective dosage is used. Alternate day administration may be appropriate. Doses of deflazacort usually lie in the range 0.25-1.5 mg/kg/day.

Deflazacort is a glucocorticoid. Its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects are used in treating various diseases and are comparable to other antiinflammatory steroids. Clinical studies have indicated that the average potency ratio of deflazacort to prednisolone is 0.69-0.89 and 6 mg of deflazacort is equivalent to 5 mg of prednisolone. However, the therapeutic dosage ratio has been reported to range from 1:1.2 to 1:1.5.

A new glucocorticoid deflazacort was introduced in 1969; it is a D-ring substituted steroid, otherwise similar to cortisol. It is a synthetic oxazoline derivative of prednisolone, having the molecular formula11beta, 21-dihydroxy-2'-methyl-5'beta-H-pregna-1, 4-dieno [17,16d] oxazole-3, 20-dione-21-acetate.