Zefcort 6mg Tablet (Deflazacort 6mg)

INTRODUCTION

ZEFCORT 6MG contains Deflazacort which belongs to class of medicines called corticosteroids. It is a glucocorticoid which is used as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant. Glucocorticoids works by inhibiting the inflammatory signaling pathways and inflammatory gene expression that cause inflammation and also suppress immunity or reduce the strength of the body’s immune system. It is used to treat inflammation including the asthma, arthritis and allergies. It is also used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients 2 years of age and older. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe type of muscular dystrophy that primarily affects boys.

The recommended daily dosage is approximately 0.9 mg/kg/day administered orally. This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant, or if you are trying to become pregnant. Consult your doctor for advice. Do not drive or operate any machinery while taking this medicine, it may make you feel dizzy. The most common side effects include dyspepsia and peptic ulcer, weight increase, increased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, nausea and headache.

USES OF ZEFCORT 6MG

Treat inflammation including asthma, arthritis and allergies
Treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients 2 years of age and older
Suppress the immune system in transplant operations

HOW ZEFCORT 6MG WORKS

ZEFCORT 6MG works by inhibiting the inflammatory signaling pathways and inflammatory gene expression that cause inflammation and also suppress immunity or reduce the strength of the body’s immune system.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Always take ZEFCORT 6MG exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the medicine whole with plenty of water.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ZEFCORT 6MG

SERIOUS
Mental health problem
Feeling depressed, including thinking about suicide
Black tarry stools or clotted blood in your stools (faeces)
COMMON
Dyspepsia and peptic ulcer
Weight increased
Increased appetite
Upper respiratory tract infection
Cough
Nausea
Headache
RARE
Bleeding under the skin, redness
General muscle weakness or tiredness

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea:

Keep try taking this medicine with, or just after, a meal or snack and stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.

Headache:

Apply hot or cold-water bag on your head. Take rest in a quiet and dark room. Drink tea or coffee.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY
ZEFCORT 6MG is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

BREASTFEEDING
ZEFCORT 6MG is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any machinery while taking this medicine, it may make you feel dizzy.

ALCOHOL
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine.

KIDNEY
ZEFCORT 6MG should be taken with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Consult your doctor for advice.

LIVER
ZEFCORT 6MG should be taken with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Consult your doctor for advice.

ALLERGY
Do not take if you are allergic to the medicine.

HEART DISEASE
If you have any heart related problems, consult your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

OTHERS

Do not take ZEFCORT 6MG if you have or ever had mental problems such as depression or psychoses.

INTERACTIONS

Talk to your doctor if you are taking:

Medicines used to treat the skin and fungal infections (rifampicin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone)
Medicines used to treat the bacterial infections (telithromycin, rifampicin and ciprofloxacin)
Ketoconazole it may possible to reduce the maintenance dose of deflazacort