Deflazacort.

Abstract

Conventional oral steroids like prednisolone have various adverse effects both during short-term and long-term use. Hence a search for an alternative oral steroid with fewer side-effects is underway throughout the world. Deflazacort, an oxazoline derivative, is a step in this direction. The number of large randomized trials using deflazacort for steroid-responsive disorders in children is limited. Use of deflazacort has been explored largely in patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. Preliminary data suggest reduced osteoporosis, lesser growth retardation and weight gain with use of deflazacort, as compared to other steriods. In view of the limited data demonstrating superiority of deflazacort over the available oral steroids and its prohibitive cost, it is early to advocate widespread use of this drug in children.

• Authors: N Joshi, K Rajeshwari
• Journal: Journal of postgraduate medicine (J Postgrad Med) 2009 Oct-Dec Vol. 55 Issue 4 Pg. 296-300 ISSN: 0972-2823 [Electronic] India
• PMID: 20083885 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Pregnenediones
• Prednisolone
• Glucose
• deflazacort

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Arthritis, Juvenile (drug therapy)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (drug therapy)
• Asthma (drug therapy)
• Child
• Glucocorticoids (adverse effects)
• Glucose (metabolism)
• Growth Disorders (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Kidney (drug effects)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (drug effects)
• Male
• Osteoporosis (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Prednisolone (pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Pregnenediones (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic