Warning of Deflazacort

Deflazacort is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are hormones produced naturally by the adrenal glands which have many important functions, including control of inflammatory responses.

Deflazacort also decreases the numbers of white blood cells circulating in the blood. This, along with the decrease in inflammatory chemicals, can prevent the rejection of organ transplants, as it prevents the body from attacking foreign tissue. It is also useful for the treatment of certain types of leukaemia, where there is an abnormally large number of certain white blood cells in the tissues or blood. It is also used to treat some diseases which are caused by the immune system attacking itself (autoimmune diseases).Deflazacort is used in much higher doses than the levels of corticosteroids produced naturally by the body, and as such, the usual actions of corticosteroids become exaggerated and can be observed as side effects of this medicine.
Used-

Adultsr
The usual maintenance dose in adults for most conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, is in the range of 3 – 18mg taken orally each day.
In some instances, an initial dose of up to 120mg each day may be needed.
The dose in adults with severe asthma may be up to 48 to 72mg each day to begin with.
This dose may be gradually reduced once the asthma attack has been controlled.

Childrenr
Doses in children are given according to the child’s bodyweight. Your doctor orrnpharmacist will be able to advise you on the number of tablets needed in each case.
The usual dose in children with chronic arthritis is between 0.25 – 1.0mg/kg bodyweight each day.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
• problems with your digestive system – indigestion, ulcer, bleeding, inflamed
• pancreas, nausea
• water retention, salt retention, high blood pressure, heart failure
• muscle weakness, bone thinning, impaired healing and thinning of the skin,
• bruising, acne
• headaches, vertigo, dizziness, difficulty in sleeping and restlessness,
• emotional problems, depression, over-excitement, aggravation of epilepsy and of schizophrenia
• allergies (rash, itching and sometimes shortness of breath)
• hormonal disorders (in particular effects on the adrenal gland), including excess hair growth, weight gain, increased appetite, diabetes, menstrual disorders

Deflazacort is known commercially as Calcort.Deflazacort is a synthetic corticosteroid and is used to decrease inflammation. Deflazacort works by acting within cells to prevent the release of certain chemicals that are important in the immune system. These chemicals are normally involved in producing immune and allergic responses, resulting in inflammation. By decreasing the release of these chemicals in a particular area, inflammation is reduced. This can help control a wide number of disease states which are characterised by excessive inflammation. They include severe allergic reactions, inflammation of the lungs in asthma and inflammation of the joints in arthritis.