DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET contains Deflazacort which belongs to the group of medicines called Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulator Drugs. It is used to treat inflammation in asthma (inflamed airways), arthritis (pain and inflammation in the joints) and allergies.    

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET is also used in treatment of problems with your skin, kidney, heart, digestive system, eyes or blood and where your body has growths (tumours). It also used to prevent rejection after organ transplant operations.

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients who have any untreated systemic infection and had any vaccinations with live viruses.

Before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have epilepsy, problems in liver, kidney or heart, diabetes, high blood pressure, mental health problems, osteoporosis, glaucoma, oesophagitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis or peptic ulcer and pheochromocytoma.     

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET is generally not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women unless clearly advised by the doctor. DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET should be used with caution in children and elderly patients due to increased risk of side effects.

The most common side effects of taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET are excessive facial hair, increased weight, skin redness, rash, nausea and abdominal pain. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects worsen.

USES OF DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET


Treats inflammation including asthma, arthritis and allergies
Treats skin, heart, kidney, eyes, digestive system or blood problems
Treats tumour problems
Suppress the immune system in transplant operations


HOW DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET WORKS

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET works by preventing the release of certain chemicals involved in the immune and allergic reactions, that result in inflammation. This type of action can reduce inflammation in a particular area, control various diseases characterised by excessive inflammation and treats autoimmune disease conditions where immune system attacks the body tissues. It also supresses white blood cells along with immune system to prevent the body from attacking foreign tissue in organ transplantation.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET

COMMON


Excessive facial hair
Increased weight
Puffy face appearance (cushingoid appearance)
Skin redness, rash and striae (stretch marks)
Abdominal obesity or pain
Need to urinate more often than normal
Constipation
Irritability, abnormal behaviour
Fever, back pain, bruise, nausea
Nosebleeds


UNCOMMON


Feeling full or bloated, indigestion, heartburn
Increase in appetite or weight gain around the face
Lose weight or feel weak
Signs of diabetes (increased thirst and needing to pass water more often than usual)
Increased blood pressure and water retention
Signs of low levels of potassium in the blood (tiredness, confusion, muscle weakness or muscle cramps)
Mood changes, difficulty in sleeping
Return of tuberculosis (TB) infection
Acne
Infections appear more easily than usual


RARE


Bleeding under the skin, redness
General muscle weakness or tiredness


Stop taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:


Signs of allergic reaction (swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing along with itchy, lumpy rash or nettle rash)
Signs of stomach ulcer (black tarry stools or notice fresh or clotted blood in the stool or dark bits that look like coffee grounds in your vomit)
Signs of pancreatitis (severe stomach pain which may reach through to your back)
Feeling depressed, including suicidal thoughts
Feeling anxious or high, having problems sleeping, difficulty in thinking or confusion and memory loss
Feeling, seeing or hearing things which do not exist
Signs of pheochromocytoma crisis (awareness of your heartbeat, increase in heart rate (palpitations), excessive sweating, high blood pressure, severe headaches or feeling shaky)
Signs of tumour lysis syndrome (changes in blood tests such as increased levels of uric acid, potassium or phosphorus and decreased level of calcium may result in muscle cramping, muscle weakness, confusion, visual loss or disturbances, shortness of breath, seizures, irregular heartbeat or reduced amount or darkening of urine)
Very sore throat, difficulty in swallowing and the inside of the mouth may have white areas on the surface
Headache, which is usually worse in the morning, on coughing or straining and nausea along with fits, fainting, eyesight problems, painful eyes or confusion


HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

 

Constipation:

Take fiber rich foods in your diet such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals and drink plenty of fluids. Exercise more regularly (such as daily walk) and stay active. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse. 

Stomach pain:

Try to rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have smaller and frequent meals. Keep a heat pad on your stomach. If the symptom does not improve, consult your doctor.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS



PREGNANCY

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET is generally not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET.



BREASTFEEDING

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET should be used with caution in breastfeeding women unless considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET.



DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel dizzy or feel like everything around you is spinning or feel disorientated (vertigo) after taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET.



KIDNEY

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Consult your doctor before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET.



LIVER

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET.



ALLERGY

Do not take DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET if you are allergic to Deflazacort. It should be used with caution in patients who have ever had a bad reaction such as muscle weakness to any steroids.



LUNGS

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients who had or have tuberculosis. Consult your doctor before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET.



HEART DISEASE

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with high blood pressure or heart problems. Consult your doctor before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET. 

OTHERS

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET is not recommended for use if you:


Have any untreated systemic infection (affecting the whole body)
Had any vaccinations with live viruses


Before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you:


Have epilepsy
Have diabetes
Have high levels of uric acid in the blood 
Have osteoporosis
Have an eye disease that causes detachment of the retina and bulging eyes
Have or anyone in your family has an eye problem called glaucoma
Have an underactive thyroid gland
Have oesophagitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis or peptic ulcer
Have athlete’s foot, thrush and cold sores
Have any problems with your blood vessels such as a blood clot
Have a pheochromocytoma
Have haematological malignancy
Are going to have an operation
Have ever had severe depression or manic-depression (bipolar disorder) or psychosis
Have any close family member with mental illnesses


Use in pediatrics:

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET should be used with caution in children. Your child’s doctor may adjust the dose based on child’s age and body and dose may be initiated with the lowest effective dose. Consult your child’s doctor for advice.

Use in geriatrics:

DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients due to increased risk of side effects. Consult your doctor before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:


Medicines used to relieve pain (Ex. aspirin, ibuprofen)
Aminoglutethimide (used for some types of cancer)
Ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections)
Medicines used to remove excess water from the body (Ex. spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride)
Warfarin (used for thinning blood)
Medicines used in diabetes treatment (Ex. metformin or tolbutamide)
Medicines used for epilepsy (Ex. phenobarbitone, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, acetazolamide)
Oral contraceptives such as oestrogens (used to prevent pregnancy)
Medicines used in tuberculosis treatment (Ex. rifampicin or rifabutin)
Medicines used for treating high blood pressure (Ex. verapamil, atenolol and propranolol)
Medicines for indigestion and heartburn (Ex. aluminium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate)
Salbutamol and theophylline (used for asthma)


Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

SYNOPSIS




Drug
:  

Deflazacort



Pharmacological Category
:  

Glucocorticoids



Therapeutic Indication
:  

Autoimmune diseases, Prevent rejection of organ transplantation and tumours



Dosage Forms
:  

Tablet, Oral suspension, Suspension, Syrup





 

MORE INFORMATION


Keep DEFOCAD 6MG TABLET out of reach of children
Store at room temperature


 

Nausea:

Stick to simple meals while taking this medicine. Avoid eating oily rich, fried or spicy foods. Do not lie down or sleep immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.