INTRODUCTION

DEFLOSTAL SYRUP contains Deflazacort which belongs to the group of medicines called Glucocorticoids. It is used in the treatment of severe asthma, rheumatoid arthritis (pain and inflammation in the joints), juvenile chronic arthritis (arthritis in children below 16 years of age) and genetic disorders like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (progressive muscular weakness).         

DEFLOSTAL SYRUP can also be used to treat certain autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyalgia rheumatica, sarcoidosis and prevents organ rejection after transplantation.   

DEFLOSTAL SYRUP is not recommended for use in patients having an infection and not taking antibiotics for it or receiving live virus vaccinations. Your doctor might ask you to undergo certain diagnostic tests before starting the treatment with DEFLOSTAL SYRUP.

Before taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP inform your doctor if you have heart, lung, liver or kidney diseases, high blood pressure, blood clots, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, osteoporosis, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy or underactive thyroid gland.

DEFLOSTAL SYRUP is not recommended for use in pregnant and breast-feeding women. DEFLOSTAL SYRUP should be used with caution in children and adolescents (below 18 years of age) and it is not recommended for use in elderly patients.

The most common side effects of taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP are weight gain, increased appetite, headache and excess urination. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects worsen or does not improve.

USES OF DEFLOSTAL SYRUP

Treats:

• severe asthma
• rheumatoid arthritis
• juvenile chronic arthritis
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• autoimmune diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyalgia rheumatica, sarcoidosis)

Prevents:

• organ rejection in organ transplantation

HOW DEFLOSTAL SYRUP WORKS

DEFLOSTAL SYRUP helps in treating pain and inflammation by exerting its anti-inflammatory effects where it blocks the inflammation causing agents. It also has an immunosuppressing property (reduces the body’s natural immunity that fight against foreign cells) which helps in prevention from rejection of organ transplants.   

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take DEFLOSTAL SYRUP as advised by your physician. Shake well before use. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and severity of the disease.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DEFLOSTAL SYRUP

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Headache:

Try to take rest and don’t involve yourself in exertive activities. Rest in a quiet and dark room. Apply a pain-relieving balm on your forehead if necessary. Ask for your doctor’s advice if headache doesn’t improve.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• medicines used to treat tuberculosis (Ex. rifampicin or rifabutin)
• medicines used to treat convulsions (Ex. phenobarbitone, primidone, phenytoin and carbamazepine)
• medicines used to treat cancers (Ex. aminoglutethimide)
• medicines used to treat various fungal infections (Ex. ketoconazole)
• medicines used to prevent pregnancy (Ex. estradiol, levonorgestrel)
• medicines used to treat diabetes (Ex. insulin)
• medicines to treat high blood pressure (Ex. propranolol and atenolol)
• medicines used to remove fluid build-up from the body (diuretics) (Ex. spironolactone, furosemide)
• acetazolamide (medicine used to treat glaucoma, altitude sickness)
• medicines used to relax muscles (Ex. mivacurium)
• medicines used to treat acidity (Ex. magnesium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide), to treat gastric ulcers (Ex. carbenoxolone)
• medicine used to relieve pain (Ex. ibuprofen, aspirin)
• medicines used for thinning your blood and prevent blood clots (Ex. warfarin)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of DEFLOSTAL SYRUP, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep DEFLOSTAL SYRUP out of reach of children
• Store DEFLOSTAL SYRUP at room temperature below 30°C

FAQs ABOUT DEFLOSTAL SYRUP

Why is DEFLOSTAL SYRUP prescribed?

DEFLOSTAL SYRUP is used in the treatment of severe asthma, rheumatoid arthritis (pain and inflammation in the joints), juvenile chronic arthritis (arthritis in children below 16 years of age) and genetic disorders like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (progressive muscular weakness). DEFLOSTAL SYRUP can also be used to treat certain autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyalgia and prevents rejection of organ after transplantation.

Can I stop taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP if I start to feel better?

It is very important to keep taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP till the time your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not stop taking it on your own even if your symptoms resolve and you feel better as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Consult with your doctor if you wish to discontinue taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP.

Is DEFLOSTAL SYRUP a steroid?

Yes, DEFLOSTAL SYRUP is a steroid which helps in treating pain and inflammation by exerting its anti-inflammatory effects where it blocks the inflammation causing agents. It also has an immunosuppressing property (reduces the body’s natural immunity that fight against foreign cells) which helps in prevention from rejection of organ transplants.

Who should avoid taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP?

DEFLOSTAL SYRUP suppresses the immune system which can make you prone to infections. Patients suffering from a systemic infection and are not taking anti-infective treatment for it should avoid taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP. Consult with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Can DEFLOSTAL SYRUP be given to pregnant or breast-feeding women?

No, DEFLOSTAL SYRUP is not recommended for use in pregnant and breast-feeding women. Consult your doctor before taking DEFLOSTAL SYRUP if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant or breast-feeding your child.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Hormones and Related Drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page – 314.

2. Craig Campbell, Pierre Jacob. Deflazacort for the treatment of Duchenne Dystrophy: A systematic review. NIH National Library of Medicine National Centre for Biotechnology. Pubmed Central. September 2003. [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC222985/

3. Luca Parente. Deflazacort: therapeutic index, relative potency and equivalent doses versus other corticosteroids. NIH National Library of Medicine National Centre for Biotechnology. Pubmed Central. January 2017. [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5216559/

4. Deflazacort. NIH National Library of Medicine National Centre for Biotechnology. Pubchem. [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Deflazacort

5. Leeford Healthcare. Zefcort (Deflazacort). [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://www.leeford.in/product/337/zefcort

6. Zuventus Healthcare. Cotrimax Suspension (Deflazacort Suspension). [Accessed on 15th June 2022] http://www.zuventus.co.in/doctor_wise_products_selected.aspx?Medi_Id=140

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• X-ray
• Complete Blood Count