Manufacturer: Leeford Healthcare Ltd
Salt Composition : Deflazacort(6mg/5ml)
Bottle of 30ml Suspension
(Inclusive of all taxes)
Give Zefcort Suspension to your child orally, either before or after food. Giving it with food helps prevent the risk of developing a stomach upset. Always give the dose as prescribed by the doctor since that depends on the severity and type of infection, body weight, and age of your child. If your child gains or loses weight during treatment, make sure to let the doctor know. Never alter the dose by yourself as that may increase the risk of serious implications in your child. If your child vomits within 30 minutes of taking this medicine, help the child calm down and repeat the same dose, but skip it if it is already time for the next dose.
It is important to complete the full course of this medicine as stopping it abruptly may cause serious side effects. To stop this medicine, the doctor will gradually taper down the dose of this medicine to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Zefcort Suspension can suppress your child’s immune system, making your child more prone to infections. Your child may need frequent medical checkups and tests. Therefore, it is important to follow up with your child’s doctor frequently during the treatment. The doctor may also advise vision and bone mineral density check for your child as Zefcort Suspension can impact both of these.
This medicine may cause side effects like weight gain, increased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, abnormal hair growth, central obesity, fluid and electrolyte disturbance, and common cold symptoms. Reach out to your child’s doctor if these side effects appear.
Let your child’s doctor know if your child is already taking medicines for any type of infection. Also, narrate your child’s complete medical history, including heart, blood, skin, bone, and hormonal disorders or any prior episodes of allergy, eye disease, birth defects, lung anomaly, liver impairment, and kidney malfunction. This information is critical for dose alterations and in planning your child’s overall treatment.
Deflazacort is a corticosteroid prodrug, whose active metabolite, 21-desDFZ, acts through the glucocorticoid receptor to exert anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. The precise mechanism by which deflazacort exerts its therapeutic effects in patients with DMD is unknown.
Deflazacort is rapidly absorbed after oral administration with peak concentration occurring within 1-2 hours. One pharmacokinetic study determined an AUC (area under the curve) of 280 ng/ml · h. The bioavailability of both the oral suspension and tablet are similar.
Zefcort Suspension does not pose serious side effects and is well-tolerated by children. In case the side effects do occur, they’re likely to subside once the body adapts to the medicine. Consult your child’s doctor if these side effects persist or bother your child. The most common side effects include-
Common side effects of Zefcort
Common cold
Increased appetite
Weight gain
Frequent urge to urinate
Cushing syndrome
Cough
Abnormal hair growth
Upper respiratory tract infection
Obesity
Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages)
contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to deflazacort or to any of the inactive ingredients. Instances of hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
prescribed by the doctor since that depends on the severity and type of infection, body weight, and age of your child. If your child gains or loses weight during treatment
Deflazacort is used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD; a progressive disease in which the muscles do not function properly) in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Deflazacort is in a class of medications called corticosteroids.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with deflazacort and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking deflazacort. While taking deflazacort and for at least 4 to 6 weeks before you start taking it: Do not receive a "live" vaccine or you could develop a serious infection.
Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Zefcort Suspension may be taken with or without food
Store below 30°C
Do not panic. Unless your child’s doctor has advised a specific regime for your child, give the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Skip the missed dose if it is almost the time for the next dose. Do not give a double dose to catch up and follow the prescribed dosing schedule.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Prefer giving Zefcort Suspension with food as an empty stomach can trigger acidity and gastric reflux.
Avoid giving antacids along with Zefcort Suspension. If both need to be given, leave a gap of at least 2 hours between administration of Zefcort Suspension and antacids.
Do not give it more often or for longer than advised by your doctor.
Zefcort Suspension can make it harder for your child to fight off infections. Notify your doctor if you notice any signs of infection such as a fever or sore throat.
Do not stop the medicine abruptly. Seek the doctor’s guidance to taper the dose gradually as sudden withdrawal may result in a steroid withdrawal syndrome.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Zefcort Suspension may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Avoid Zefcort Suspension with salad and vegetable diet.
Q. Is Zefcort Suspension a steroid?
Yes, Zefcort Suspension is a steroid medicine also known as glucocorticoids which occur naturally in the body. These glucocorticoids help to maintain health and wellbeing. Zefcort Suspension increases the corticosteroids levels in the body which helps in treating various illnesses involving inflammation (redness, tenderness, heat and swelling).
Q. In what conditions should I avoid giving Zefcort Suspension to my child?
Avoid giving Zefcort Suspension to your child if they have conditions like cardiac disease or congestive heart failure (except in the presence of active rheumatic carditis), hypertension, thromboembolic disorders, or diabetes mellitus. Zefcort Suspension should also be avoided if your child has a family history of active TB, active herpes infection, osteoporosis, myasthenia gravis, or renal insufficiency.
Q. What do I need to know about Zefcort Suspension and my child’s immunizations?
For certain vaccines (live or live-attenuated vaccines), your child will need to wait 4 to 6 weeks before starting Zefcort Suspension. Hence, your child needs to receive all immunizations according to immunization guidelines before they start taking Zefcort Suspension.
Q. How can I store Zefcort Suspension at home?
Keep the medicine in a cool dry place out of the reach of children and pets. This will help avoid any accidental intake.
