Deflazacort

Adults: Adults: For acute disorders, up to 120 mg a day of Deflazacort may be needed initially. In most conditions the maintenance dose falls within 3 to 18 mg a day. Rheumatoid arthritis: The maintenance dose is usually within the range of 3 to 18 mg a day. The smallest effective dose should be used, increased only if necessary. Bronchial asthma: For an acute attack, high doses of 48 to 72 mg a day may be needed depending on severity, then gradually reduced once the attack is controlled. For maintenance in chronic asthma, the dose should be titrated down to the lowest amount that controls symptoms. Other conditions: The dose of Deflazacort depends on clinical need and should be titrated to the lowest effective maintenance dose. Starting doses may be estimated using a ratio of 5 mg of prednisone or prednisolone to 6 mg of Deflazacort. Children: There has been limited experience with Deflazacort in children in clinical trials. The indications for glucocorticoids in children are the same as in adults, but it is important to use the lowest effective dose. Alternate day dosing may be appropriate. Doses of Deflazacort usually lie in the range of 0.25 to 1.5 mg per kg per day. The following ranges offer general guidance: Juvenile chronic arthritis: The usual maintenance dose is between 0.25 and 1.0 mg per kg per day. Nephrotic syndrome: An initial dose of usually 1.5 mg per kg per day, followed by down titration according to clinical need. Bronchial asthma: Based on the potency ratio, the initial dose should be between 0.25 and 1.0 mg per kg on alternate days. Deflazacort withdrawal: In patients who have received more than physiological doses of systemic corticosteroids (approximately 9 mg a day or equivalent) for longer than 3 weeks, withdrawal should not be abrupt. How the dose is reduced depends largely on whether the disease is likely to relapse as the dose of systemic corticosteroids is lowered.