DEFORTIN-DZ Tablets

DEFORTIN-DZ Tablets
Deflazacort 6 mg

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 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.

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).

INDICATIONS

It is indicated for various different conditions as indicated in other glucocorticoids and has demonstrated
equivalent efficacy to prednisolone and other oral steroids in rheumatoid arthritis, nephritic syndrome, SLE,
transplantation, polymyalgia rheumatica, sarcoidosis and juvenile chronic arthritis.

DEFORTIN-DZ tablets are used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions including asthma, arthritis,
allergic disorders and certain disorders of the skin, kidney, heart, digestive system, eyes and blood as well as
some tumour-producing diseases. They are also used in transplant operations.

DOSES AND ADMINISTRATION

Deflazacort is a glucocorticoid derived from prednisolone. 6 mg of deflazacort 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.

For acute disorders up to 120 mg/day, deflazacort might be administered initially. The maintenance dose is
usually within range 3-18 mg/day. The smallest effective dose should be used and increased if necessary.