Deflazacort

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.

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.Deflazacort is used in much higher doses than the levels of corticosteroids produced naturally by the body, and as such, the usual actions of corticosteroids become exaggerated and can be observed as side effects of this medicine.

Deflazacort is a derivative of the glucocorticoid, prednisilone. It is used for its anti-inflammatory properties in conditions responsive to corticosteroid therapy. The drug has largely glucocorticoid activity with 6 mg of deflazacort equal to about 5 mg of prednisolone in anti-inflammatory activity. Deflazacort is similarly effective as prednisone and methylprednisolone for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, and for the prevention of organ rejection following transplantation. However, deflazacort may have less of a negative effect on bone density, glucose control, and growth in children than prednisone.