Xalcort 120 mg/100 ml Suspension

Corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant) for:

• Asthma and severe allergic conditions
• Rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, lupus, vasculitis
• Nephrotic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune hepatitis
• Skin diseases (pemphigus), sarcoidosis
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy (specialist)
• Transplant rejection prevention

Adults: acute disorders up to 120 mg/day; usual maintenance 3–18 mg daily, given as a single morning dose with food. Reduce to the lowest effective dose.

Children: 0.25–1.5 mg/kg/day (or on alternate days); Duchenne muscular dystrophy 0.9 mg/kg/day.

• Approximate equivalence: deflazacort 6 mg ≈ prednisolone 5 mg.
• Do not stop suddenly after more than 3 weeks — taper as advised.

• Untreated systemic infections (fungal, TB, other)
• Live vaccines during immunosuppressive doses
• Allergy to deflazacort

Short term: indigestion, increased appetite, insomnia, mood changes, raised blood sugar, fluid retention.

Long term: weight gain, Cushingoid features, osteoporosis (possibly less than prednisolone), muscle weakness, cataract, glaucoma, thin skin, adrenal suppression, increased infections, peptic ulcer, growth delay in children, raised blood pressure.

Rare: severe skin reactions, pancreatitis.

• Carry a steroid card on long-term use; increased doses may be needed during severe illness or surgery.
• Avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles if not immune.
• Monitor blood pressure, sugar, eyes and bone health on long courses.
• Diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer, TB history, psychiatric illness, osteoporosis: caution.

Use in pregnancy only if benefit outweighs risk. Passes into milk; at higher doses monitor the baby.

• NSAIDs, aspirin (ulcers)
• Diuretics, salbutamol (low potassium)
• Diabetes medicines (higher sugar)
• Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin (reduce effect); ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir (increase effect)
• Warfarin (altered INR)
• Live vaccines

Single overdose rarely serious. Long-term excess causes Cushing's features. Seek advice.

Store below 30°C.