What is Deflazacort: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Deflazacort is a corticosteroid medication that helps reduce inflammation and suppresses your immune system when it's overactive. Think of it as a gentler cousin to prednisone that doctors often prefer because it tends to cause fewer side effects, especially when you need to take it for longer periods.

This medication works by mimicking cortisol, a hormone your body naturally produces to control inflammation. When your immune system is attacking healthy tissues or causing excessive swelling, deflazacort steps in to calm things down and give your body the relief it needs.

What is Deflazacort Used For?

Deflazacort treats a wide range of conditions where inflammation is the main problem. Your doctor might prescribe it when your immune system is overreacting or when tissues in your body are swollen and causing pain or dysfunction.

The medication is particularly helpful for autoimmune conditions where your body mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells. It's also used when other parts of your body are inflamed due to injury, infection, or chronic disease.

Here are the main conditions deflazacort can help manage:

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) - helps preserve muscle function and slow progression
• Rheumatoid arthritis - reduces joint inflammation and pain
• Inflammatory bowel disease - calms intestinal inflammation
• Asthma and severe allergic reactions - opens airways and reduces swelling
• Lupus and other autoimmune disorders - controls immune system overactivity
• Skin conditions like severe eczema or psoriasis - reduces inflammation and itching
• Certain blood disorders - helps when immune system attacks blood cells
• Organ transplant rejection prevention - keeps immune system from attacking new organ

Your doctor will determine if deflazacort is right for your specific situation based on your symptoms, medical history, and how other treatments have worked for you.

How Does Deflazacort Work?

Deflazacort works by blocking the production of substances in your body that cause inflammation and immune responses. It's considered a moderate-strength corticosteroid, meaning it's effective but generally causes fewer side effects than stronger options like prednisone.

When you take deflazacort, it gets converted in your liver to an active form that then travels throughout your body. This active form binds to special receptors in your cells and tells them to stop producing inflammatory chemicals like prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

The medication also suppresses your immune system's activity, which is helpful when your immune system is overactive but means you might be more susceptible to infections while taking it. This immune suppression is usually mild to moderate compared to other corticosteroids.

How Should I Take Deflazacort?

Take deflazacort exactly as your doctor prescribes, usually once daily in the morning with food. Taking it with breakfast helps reduce stomach upset and mimics your body's natural cortisol rhythm, which peaks in the morning.

You can take deflazacort tablets whole with a full glass of water, or you can crush them and mix with soft food like applesauce if swallowing is difficult. The oral suspension should be shaken well before each dose and measured with the provided measuring device.

Try to take your dose at the same time each day to maintain steady levels in your body. If you're taking it for a condition like asthma, consistency is especially important for preventing flare-ups.

Don't take deflazacort on an empty stomach as this increases the risk of stomach irritation. A light meal or snack is usually sufficient, but avoid taking it with just coffee or juice.

How Long Should I Take Deflazacort For?

The length of treatment with deflazacort depends entirely on your condition and how you respond to the medication. Some people need it for just a few days during an acute flare-up, while others require long-term treatment for chronic conditions.

For short-term use (less than 2 weeks), you might be able to stop the medication abruptly when your symptoms improve. However, if you've been taking deflazacort for more than 2-3 weeks, your doctor will likely have you taper off gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

People with chronic conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy or severe autoimmune diseases may need to take deflazacort for months or years. In these cases, your doctor will regularly monitor you for side effects and adjust your dose as needed.

Never stop taking deflazacort suddenly if you've been on it for more than a couple of weeks, as this can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will create a tapering schedule that gradually reduces your dose over time.

What Are the Side Effects of Deflazacort?

Like all corticosteroids, deflazacort can cause side effects, though many people tolerate it well, especially at lower doses. The good news is that deflazacort generally causes fewer side effects than other corticosteroids like prednisone.

Most side effects are dose-dependent, meaning higher doses and longer treatment periods increase your risk. Many side effects are also reversible once you stop the medication or reduce the dose.

Here are the most common side effects you might experience:

• Increased appetite and weight gain - especially around your midsection and face
• Mood changes - feeling more irritable, anxious, or having trouble sleeping
• Increased risk of infections - your immune system is suppressed
• Stomach upset or heartburn - taking with food helps prevent this
• Headaches or dizziness - usually mild and temporary
• Acne or skin changes - your skin might become thinner or bruise more easily
• High blood sugar - important to monitor if you have diabetes

More serious side effects can occur with long-term use or higher doses. While these are less common, it's important to be aware of them:

• Bone thinning (osteoporosis) - especially concerning for older adults
• High blood pressure - regular monitoring is important
• Cataracts or glaucoma - eye problems that develop gradually
• Muscle weakness - different from the weakness caused by your underlying condition
• Delayed wound healing - cuts and bruises take longer to heal
• Growth suppression in children - why pediatric doses are carefully monitored

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe mood changes, signs of infection like fever, vision problems, or severe stomach pain. These warrant immediate medical attention.

Who Should Not Take Deflazacort?

Deflazacort isn't safe for everyone, and certain medical conditions or situations make it inappropriate or require special precautions. Your doctor will carefully review your medical history before prescribing this medication.

You should not take deflazacort if you have certain active infections, particularly fungal infections, as the medication can suppress your immune system and make infections worse. Live vaccines are also off-limits while you're taking deflazacort.

Here are conditions that may prevent you from taking deflazacort or require special monitoring:

• Active systemic infections - especially fungal, bacterial, or viral infections
• Known allergy to deflazacort or other corticosteroids
• Recent vaccination with live vaccines - wait at least 2 weeks after stopping deflazacort
• Severe liver disease - affects how your body processes the medication
• Certain eye conditions like viral or fungal eye infections

Conditions requiring extra caution and monitoring include:

• Diabetes - deflazacort can raise blood sugar levels
• High blood pressure or heart disease - medication can worsen these conditions
• Osteoporosis or history of fractures - corticosteroids can weaken bones
• Stomach ulcers or digestive problems - increased risk of bleeding
• Mental health conditions - corticosteroids can affect mood and behavior
• Kidney or liver problems - may need dose adjustments
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding - requires careful risk-benefit analysis

If you have any of these conditions, your doctor may still prescribe deflazacort but will monitor you more closely and possibly adjust your dose or treatment plan.

Deflazacort Brand Names

Deflazacort is available under several brand names, with Emflaza being the most common in the United States. This brand name version was specifically approved by the FDA for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2017.

Other brand names you might encounter include Calcort, which is more commonly used in other countries. Some pharmacies may carry generic versions of deflazacort, which contain the same active ingredient but may be less expensive.

Regardless of the brand name, all deflazacort medications work the same way. Your pharmacist can help you understand if you're getting a brand name or generic version, and your doctor can advise if a specific brand is preferred for your condition.

Deflazacort Alternatives

If deflazacort isn't right for you or isn't working well, several alternative medications can provide similar anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Your doctor will choose alternatives based on your specific condition and medical history.

Other corticosteroids include prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone. These work similarly to deflazacort but may have different side effect profiles or dosing schedules that better suit your needs.

Non-corticosteroid alternatives depend on your specific condition:

• For autoimmune conditions - methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, or newer biologic drugs
• For inflammatory bowel disease - aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, or anti-TNF medications
• For asthma - inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, or leukotriene modifiers
• For rheumatoid arthritis - disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• For muscular dystrophy - other corticosteroids or emerging therapies

Your doctor will work with you to find the most effective treatment with the fewest side effects for your specific situation.

Is Deflazacort Better Than Prednisone?

Deflazacort and prednisone are both effective corticosteroids, but deflazacort often has advantages, especially for long-term use. Many doctors prefer deflazacort because it tends to cause less weight gain, bone loss, and growth suppression in children.

Studies show that deflazacort causes less impact on bone density and linear growth compared to prednisone at equivalent anti-inflammatory doses. This makes it particularly valuable for children with conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy who need long-term corticosteroid treatment.

Deflazacort also appears to have less effect on glucose metabolism, meaning it's less likely to cause diabetes or worsen existing diabetes compared to prednisone. The risk of developing a "moon face" or central weight gain is also generally lower with deflazacort.

However, prednisone has been around longer and is much less expensive than deflazacort. For short-term use or when cost is a major factor, prednisone might be the better choice. Your doctor will consider your specific needs, treatment duration, and financial situation when choosing between these medications.