Deflazacort

Oral
Allergic and inflammatory disorders

Systemic infection (unless specific therapy is given). Concurrent admin of live virus vaccines in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses.

Patient w/ infection, history of TB, cardiac disease or CHF (except in the presence of active rheumatic carditis), HTN, thromboembolic disorders, GI disorders (i.e. gastritis, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer, pyogenic infections), DM (including family history), osteoporosis, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, emotional instability, history of corticosteroid-induced myopathy, hypothyroidism, ocular herpes simplex. Avoid abrupt withdrawal after prolonged therapy. Renal and hepatic (including hepatic failure and cirrhosis) impairment. Childn. Pregnancy and lactation.

Wt gain, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, amenorrhoea, Cushingoid facies, growth suppression (childn), increased appetite, opportunistic infections, candidiasis, osteoporosis, myopathy, menstrual irregularity, heart failure, headache, vertigo, restlessness, depression, labile mood, irritability, euphoria, mania, delusions, hallucinations, schizophrenia, behavioural disturbances, anxiety, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction including confusion and amnesia, increased intra-ocular pressure, glaucoma, chorioretinopathy, corneal/scleral thinning, posterior subcapsular cataract, dyspepsia, peptic ulceration, haemorrhage, nausea, acute pancreatitis (childn), hirsutism, striae, acne, skin atrophy, telangiectasia, oedema, impaired healing, leukocytosis. Rarely, muscle wasting, bruising, benign intracranial HTN.

Monitor growth, height and wt esp in childn.

Decreased serum concentration when used w/ hepatic enzyme inducers (e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone, aminoglutethimide). Increased serum concentration if concurrently used w/ hepatic enzyme inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole). Antagonises the effect of hypoglycaemic agents, antihypertensives and diuretics. Enhances the hypokalaemic effect of acetazolamide, loop/thiazide diuretics, β₂-agonists, xanthines and carbenoxolone. May increase the anticoagulant effect of coumarins. May prolong relaxation and acute myopathy when given w/ non-depolarising muscle relaxants. Increases the renal clearance of salicylates, steroid withdrawal may lead to salicylate intoxication. Increased serum concentrations w/ oral contraceptives. Reduced bioavailability w/ antacids. Increased risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture if concomitantly used w/ quinolones.

May suppress reaction to skin tests.

Description: Deflazacort is a glucocorticoid derived from prednisolone. It acts as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Well absorbed from the GI tract. Time to peak plasma concentration: 1.5-2 hr.
Distribution: Plasma protein binding: 40%.
Metabolism: Immediately converted to the active metabolite, D 21-OH, by plasma esterases.
Excretion: Via urine (70%) and faeces (30%). Elimination half-life: 1.1-1.9 hr.

Store at or below 25°C.

Corticosteroid Hormones

H02AB13 - deflazacort ; Belongs to the class of glucocorticoids. Used in systemic corticosteroid preparations.

Anon. Deflazacort. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 12/10/2016 .

Buckingham R (ed). Deflazacort. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 12/10/2016 .

Joint Formulary Committee. Deflazacort. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 12/10/2016 .