Imucort 24

Introduction
Imucort 24 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. Imucort 24 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. Imucort 24 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.

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Uses of Imucort 24
Severe allergic reactions
Allergic conditions
Asthma
Cancer
Rheumatic disorder
Skin disorders
Eye disorders
Side effects of Imucort 24
Common
Increased appetite
Frequent urge to urinate
Facial swelling
Abnormal hair growth
Cushing syndrome
Cough
How to use Imucort 24
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. Imucort 24 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Imucort 24 works
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Quick Tips
Imucort 24 helps treat inflammation, severe allergies, flare-ups of ongoing illnesses, and many other medical problems that require either reduction of inflammation or suppression of the immune system.
Do not use it more often or for longer than advised by your doctor.
Take it with food to avoid an upset stomach.
Imucort 24 can make it harder for you to fight off infections. Notify your doctor if you have any signs of infection such as a fever or sore throat.
Side effects such as mood changes or stomach problems can happen when you start taking Imucort 24. Inform your doctor if this bothers you.
Do not stop taking Imucort 24 suddenly without talking to your doctor first as it may worsen your symptoms.
Brief Description
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.

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Child Dose
Oral Allergic and inflammatory disorders Child: 0.25-1.5 mg/kg/day given on alternate days.

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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

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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.