About deflazacort
Corticosteroid (glucocorticoid)
Used for
- Treats inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
- Used for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in some countries.
Usual adult dose
Varies by condition; usually 6–90 mg once daily for inflammatory conditions.
Usual dose in children
For Duchenne muscular dystrophy, usually 0.9 mg/kg once daily; specialist supervision required.
Common side effects
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Mood changes or difficulty sleeping
- Higher infection risk
- Raised blood sugar or blood pressure
Important warnings
- Long-term use can weaken bones and suppress natural steroid production.
- Do not stop long-term treatment suddenly; doses usually need gradual reduction.
- May mask infections or make them more severe.
- Can affect growth in children and increase eye-pressure or cataract risk.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; prolonged or high-dose use may affect fetal growth and newborn adrenal function.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts may pass into breast milk; prolonged or high doses may affect the infant or milk supply.
Interactions
- NSAIDs may increase stomach-ulcer or bleeding risk.
- Live vaccines may cause infection during immunosuppressive treatment.
- Rifampicin, some seizure medicines, and certain antifungals can alter steroid levels.
- Diabetes medicines may need adjustment because blood sugar can rise.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.