Introduction
Refla 6 belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. It is used for treatment of various diseases and conditions such as allergic conditions, asthma, cancer, rheumatic disorder, and skin and eye disorders.
Refla 6 works by inhibiting the release of substances that cause swelling or by changing how the immune system works. It can be taken in an empty stomach or after food. Taking the medicine regularly at the right times increases its effectiveness. It is important to keep taking the medicine regularly until your doctor tells you it is safe to stop.
Taking this medicine can cause few common side effects such as increased appetite, frequent urge to urinate, facial swelling, and abnormal hair growth. If any of these side effects bothers you, let your doctor know.
Refla 6 can make it harder for you to fight off infections. Tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection such as a fever or sore throat. Before taking the medicine, you should let your doctor know of all the other medicines you are taking. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctors before taking the medicine.
Uses of Refla 6
- Severe allergic reactions
- Allergic conditions
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Rheumatic disorder
- Skin disorders
- Eye disorders
Side effects of Refla 6
Common
- Increased appetite
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Facial swelling
- Abnormal hair growth
- Cushing syndrome
- Cough
How to use Refla 6
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Refla 6 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Indication
Allergic and inflammatory disorders
Adult Dose
Oral
Allergic and inflammatory disorders
Adult: Initially, up to 120 mg daily. Maintenance: 3-18 mg/day.
Hepatic impairment: Dose reductions may be needed.
Child Dose
Oral
Allergic and inflammatory disorders
Child: 0.25-1.5 mg/kg/day given on alternate days.
Contraindication
Systemic infection; live virus vaccines in those receiving immunosuppressive doses.
Mode of Action
Deflazacort, derived from prednisolone, is a corticosteroid with mainly glucocorticoid activity. An anti-inflammatory dose of 6 mg deflazacort is equiv to 5 mg prednisolone.
Precaution
Adrenal suppression and infection, child, adolescents, elderly, history of TB and steroid myopathy, hypertension, recent MI, CHF, liver failure, renal impairment, DM and glaucoma (including family history), osteoporosis, corneal perforation, severe affective disorders, epilepsy, peptic ulcer, hypothyroidism, pregnancy and lactation.
Side Effect
GI disturbances, musculoskeletal, endocrine, neuropsychiatric, ophthalmic, fluid and electrolyte disturbances; susceptible to infection, impaired healing, hypersensitivity, skin atrophy, striae, telangiectasia, acne, myocardial rupture following recent MI, thromboembolism.
Pregnancy Category Note
Pregnancy
Corticosteroids should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus
Infants born to mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism
Lactation
Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects
Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother’s clinical need for the drug, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition
Interaction
Antacids, ACE inhibitors, acetazolamide, adrenergic neuron blockers, antidiabetics, aspirin, barbiturate, ?-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, carbamazepine, carbenoxolone, cardiac glycosides, clonidine, coumarins, diazoxide, diuretics, erythromycin, hydralazine, ketoconazole, methotrexate, methyldopa, mifepristone, minoxidil, moxonidine, nitrates, nitroprusside, NSAIDs, oestrogens, phenytoin, primidone, rifamycins, ritonavir, somatropin, ?2 sympathomimetics, theophylline, vaccines.