What should you pay attention to while taking Deflazacort?

Deflazacort is a synthetic glucocorticoid drug widely used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other conditions. Compared with traditional prednisone, Deflazacort has lower water and sodium retention and metabolic side effects, but there are still several key matters that need to be paid attention to during use to ensure drug safety and therapeutic effect.

During the medication period, patients first need to follow the doctor's dosage and course of treatment recommendations, and are not allowed to increase or decrease the dosage at will. Sudden discontinuation of the drug may cause adrenal gland function suppression and symptoms such as fatigue, hypotension, and electrolyte imbalance. Therefore, if the drug needs to be discontinued, the dosage should be gradually reduced under the guidance of a physician. Long-term use of Deflazacort may also affect bone density and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Especially elderly patients and long-term high-dose users need to regularly monitor bone density, supplement calcium and vitamin D, and combine it with appropriate exercise intervention.

In addition, glucocorticoid drugs will affect blood sugar metabolism, so diabetic patients need to closely monitor blood sugar levels and adjust the dosage of antidiabetic drugs according to doctor's recommendations. The immunosuppressive effect is also an important precaution for Deflazacort. Long-term use may increase the risk of infection. Patients should avoid contact with sources of infection during use and seek medical attention promptly if fever, cough or other symptoms of infection occur. Gastrointestinal reactions such as gastric pain or the risk of ulcers also need to be paid attention to, and gastric mucosal protection drugs can be used in combination under the guidance of a doctor.

Blood pressure control is also an important step during the use of deflazacort, especially for patients with hypertension, who need to regularly monitor their blood pressure and adjust their antihypertensive drugs. At the same time, long-term use may lead to increased intraocular pressure or cataracts, so high-risk patients should undergo regular eye examinations. You also need to pay attention to drug interactions with other drugs. Anticoagulants, diuretics and some antibiotics may interact with Deflazacort. You should inform your doctor in detail about all the drugs you are using before taking the drug.

Reference: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/deflazacort.html