DEFLAN ® a drug based on Deflazacort
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Unassociated systemic corticosteroids
Indications DEFLAN ® Deflazacort
DEFLAN ® is indicated in the treatment of all those pathological conditions on an inflammatory basis, for which hormonal therapy with corticosteroids is necessary.
Classic examples are represented by rheumatic diseases, dermatological diseases, ocular diseases, respiratory diseases, gastro-intestinal inflammatory diseases and haematological disorders with malignant evolution.
DEFLAN ® Deflazacort action mechanism
DEFLAN ® is a drug based on systemic corticosteroids, and more precisely on deflazacort, a pro drug which, taken orally, is rapidly absorbed in the intestine and metabolized into its active metabolites.
The latter, particularly concentrated at the renal and haematological level, in a manner similar to prednisolone, but with an efficacy of about 10-20 times higher, inhibit the enzyme phospholipase A2, reducing the cellular availability of arachidonic acid and its metabolites. inflammatories such as leukotrienes, prostaglandins and prostacyclines.
Its biological action therefore coincides with an important anti-inflammatory effect, particularly useful in the management and control of the evolution of chronic inflammatory manifestations.
Once the biological activity of these active principles derived from deflazacort ceases, the related metabolites are eliminated mainly by the kidney in about 24 hours.
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
1. DEFLAZACORT, STATE OF THE ART
J Med Postgrad. Oct-Dec 2009, 55: 296-300.
Deflazacort.
Joshi N, K Rajeshwari.
The numerous side effects of conventional therapies with systemic corticosteroids have led to the search for new active ingredients. The deflazacort born on this trail seems to be able to reduce some adverse reactions such as osteoporosis and loss of lean mass, making it a candidate for use in the pediatric field. However, a literature limited above all to experimentation in dystrophic pathologies, does not allow to fully understand the potential of this molecule.
2. STEROIDS AND DEUCHENNE PATHOLOGY
Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2010 Oct; 68: 683-8.
Comparison of motor strength and function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with or without steroid therapy.
Parreira SL, Resende MB, Zanoteli E, Carvalho MS, Marie SK, Reed UC.
The administration of steroids has been found to be useful in delaying the natural progression of the disease, safeguarding muscle strength and motor function from the deterioration induced by deuchenne dystrophy.
3. DEFLAZACORT AND GROWTH
Pediatr Nephrol. 2007 May; 22: 734-41. Epub 2007 Feb 9.
Effects of deflazacort vs. methylprednisone: a randomized study in kidney transplant patients.
Ferraris JR, Pasqualini T, Alonso G, Legal S, Sorroche P, Galich AM, Jasper H; Deflazacort Study Group.
This important study demonstrates how deflazacort therapy, rather than methylprednisone therapy, in pediatric renal transplant patients, can promote better growth with a linear increase in lean mass and reducing the risk of bone fractures.
Method of use and dosage
DEFLAN ® Deflazacort 6 - 30 mg tablets or deflazacort 22.75 mg oral drops per ml of solution:
given the wide range of useful dosages, generally comprised between 6 and 90 mg of deflazacort daily, and the variable need for this medicine, the specific dose should be defined by your doctor after a "careful evaluation of the physio-pathological and clinical status of the patient.
During therapy, the dosage may be subject to modifications useful to maintain the initial therapeutic effects.
DEFLAN ® Deflazacort warnings
Systemic corticosteroid therapy could significantly reduce the efficacy of immunizing therapies, virtually voiding their protective effects while increasing the risk of infections.
Prolonged therapy over time, on the other hand, could lead to the onset of secondary adrenal insufficiency, manageable through a gradual reduction in the doses of deflazacort, and a hyperglycemic effect such as to require further adjustment of the doses of hypoglycemic agents in the case of diabetic patients.
The psychic and neurological alterations induced by corticosteroid therapy could make the use of machinery and driving vehicles dangerous, also aggravating the health conditions of neurological or psychiatric patients.
DEFLAN ® tablets contain lactose, so they should not be taken by patients who are lactose intolerant or with lactase deficiency and glucose-galactasoum malabsorption.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
The lack of statically significant experimental and clinical data does not allow to define the safety profile of deflazacort for the health of the fetus and infant.
Consequently, the intake of DEFLAN ® during pregnancy and breastfeeding should only be carried out in case of real need and under strict medical supervision.
Interactions
Although the scientific literature does not describe particularly serious drug interactions from a clinical point of view, it is necessary to consider that deflazacort, like other systemic corticosteroids, can interact with various active ingredients such as anticonvulsants, antibiotics, anticoagulants, bronchodilators, antacids and non-systemic anti-inflammatories, resulting in important variations from the pharmacokinetic point of view.
Medical supervision is therefore also important in predicting such interactions and adjusting the dosage.
Contraindications DEFLAN ® Deflazacort
DEFLAN ® is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to one of its excipients, in case of active tuberculosis, peptic ulcer, ocular herpes simplex, systemic fungal infections and psychosis.
Undesirable Effects - Side Effects
The side effects of systemic corticosteroid therapy become particularly evident especially following prolonged therapies or the use of high dosages.
Despite the reduced mineralocorticoid properties of deflazacort, the administration of DEFLAN ® could be accompanied by alterations in the water-electrolyte balance with an increased risk of hypertension and heart failure, alterations in bone and muscle metabolism with relative fragility, peptic ulcers and gastro-intestinal diseases, endocrine, metabolic and neurological disorders.
Note
DEFLAN ® sold only under medical prescription.
The use of DEFLAN ® without therapeutic necessity during sports competitions constitutes doping.
The information on DEFLAN ® Deflazacort published on this page may be out of date or incomplete. For a correct use of this information, see the Disclaimer and useful information page.
