About deflazacort

Deflazacort belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It is sometimes referred to simply as an steroide orale.

Corticosteroids like deflazacort are used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Some examples include autoimmune diseases (for example, lupus eritematoso sistemico (LES), epatite autoimmune, sarcoidosi), joint and muscle diseases (for example, artrite reumatoide), and allergie e asma. They are also used in the treatment of some cancers.

Deflazacort works by interfering with the release of certain chemicals in your body which cause inflammation.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking deflazacort it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se hai la pressione alta.

• Se hai avuto un infarto o se hai altri problemi cardiaci.

• Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato, o se hai problemi con il funzionamento dei tuoi reni.

• If you (or a close family member) have either diabetes or an eye condition called glaucoma.

• If you have any of the following conditions: an underactive thyroid gland, 'thinning' of the bones (osteoporosis), epilepsy, a condition causing muscle weakness (called myasthenia gravis), a stomach ulcer, or a bowel disorder.

• Se hai mai avuto un problema di salute mentale.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (Oral steroids like deflazacort can be taken while you are expecting or breastfeeding; however, it is important that your doctor knows about the baby.)

• If you have any kind of infection at the moment, or if you have ever had tuberculosis (TB).

• If you have ever had an unwanted blood clot in an artery or a vein.

• Se hai recentemente ricevuto, o stai per ricevere, qualsiasi vaccinazione.

• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale, o se hai mai sviluppato dolori muscolari dopo aver assunto un medicinale steroideo.

• Before starting the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack and any additional information you are given by your doctor. These will give you more information about deflazacort and will also provide you with a full list of side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many tablets to take for each dose. For an adult, the dose range is usually from ½-3 tablets daily, although it may be higher than this if you are acutely unwell. Take your dose in the morning during breakfast. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. Children are sometimes prescribed a dose to take on alternate days only.

• If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember (with something to eat). If you do not remember until the following day, leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• Continue to take deflazacort until your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping taking the tablets suddenly can cause problems so your doctor will want you to reduce your dose gradually over a period of time if/when this becomes necessary.

• If your course of treatment is due to last more than three weeks, you will be given a 'Steroid Treatment Card' which says that you are on steroids and contains some important advice for you. It is important that you read this card and carry it with you at all times. It also contains details about your dose, how long you have been taking deflazacort for, and who prescribed it for you. Please make sure that this information is kept up to date. If you are having an operation or dental treatment or any treatment for an injury, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking deflazacort and show them your treatment card. This is because your dose may need adjusting.

• Cerca di mantenere i tuoi appuntamenti regolari con il tuo medico. Questo è per permettere al tuo medico di controllare i tuoi progressi. Il tuo medico vorrà che tu faccia esami di tanto in tanto per assicurarsi che tu rimanga libero da alcuni degli effetti collaterali indesiderati del trattamento.

• Deflazacort can suppress your immune system, so it is important if you become ill that you make an appointment to see your doctor straightaway. Also, if you come into contact with anyone who has measles, shingles or chickenpox (or anyone who suspects they might have them), you must see your doctor as soon as possible.

• Some vaccines are not suitable for you while you are being treated with deflazacort. If you need any immunisations, make sure you mention that you are taking an oral steroid.

• If you buy any medicines, check with your pharmacist that they are suitable to take with deflazacort. This is particularly important if you take a medicine for indigestion (such as an antacid), as indigestion remedies should not be taken during the two hours before you take deflazacort, or for two hours afterwards. This is because antacids interfere with the way deflazacort is absorbed by your body, making it less effective.

Along with its useful effects, deflazacort can cause unwanted side-effects which your doctor will discuss with you. The benefits of taking an oral steroid usually outweigh the side-effects; however, they can sometimes be troublesome. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with deflazacort. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below.

Although not everyone experiences side-effects, and some will improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you become concerned about any of the following:

Importante: you should let your doctor know if you start to experience blurred vision or other vision problems whilst taking deflazacort.

For more information about side-effects which are possible when deflazacort is taken long-term, see the separate leaflet called Oral Steroids.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.