deflazacort

• Risk factors: Long-term use | Stopping Emflaza (deflazacort) suddenly | Thyroid problems | Hormone problems | Pheochromocytoma | Stress

Emflaza (deflazacort) can change your body's hormone levels, especially if it's taken for a long time. Hormone changes can cause serious and life-threatening problems. If Emflaza (deflazacort) is stopped suddenly, you can have a higher risk of experiencing steroid withdrawal symptoms, which include low appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, joint pain, and weight loss. If you need to stop taking Emflaza (deflazacort), talk to your provider on how to gradually lower the dose until you can safely stop. Problems with hormone levels can develop for months after stopping Emflaza (deflazacort), so continue to follow up with your provider even after stopping this medication.

Taking Emflaza (deflazacort) for a long time can cause a condition called Cushing's syndrome, which is caused by too much steroid in your body. This can lead to problems like high blood pressure, weight gain, thinning of the arms or legs, purple stretch marks, round face, face swelling, muscle weakness, easy bruising, neck fat, bone problems, acne, menstrual abnormalities, excessive hair growth, depression, or mood swings. Let your provider know if you experience any of these symptoms.

Thyroid problems can affect how Emflaza (deflazacort) gets cleared out of your body. It's recommended to take Emflaza (deflazacort) before starting levothyroxine (Synthroid) treatment for low thyroid levels to lower the risk of serious hormone problems. Let your provider know if you have a history of thyroid problems before taking Emflaza (deflazacort).

Emflaza (deflazacort) can also raise the risk of developing pheochromocytoma crisis in people with pheochromocytoma (tumor in the adrenal glands). Speak to your provider before starting Emflaza (deflazacort) about your risk of developing this life-threatening condition, which leads to low or high blood pressure, high fever, and organ failure.

• Risk factors: Diabetes

Emflaza (deflazacort) can raise blood sugar levels, which can make diabetes worse. Emflaza (deflazacort) can make diabetes medications not work as well. Your provider will monitor your blood sugar levels and adjust your diabetes medications if needed while you're taking Emflaza (deflazacort).

• Risk factors: High dose | History of or current infection

Steroids like Emflaza (deflazacort) can weaken the immune system and raise your risk of infections. Make sure your immunizations are current and treat all infections before starting this medication. If you or your child develops chickenpox or measles while taking Emflaza (deflazacort), it could be life-threatening. Let your provider know right away if you've been exposed to someone with these illnesses. Emflaza (deflazacort) can raise the risk of reactivation of hepatitis B virus if you had it in the past. Let your provider know right away if you or your child experiences any signs of infection, such as fever, cough, flu-like symptoms, stomach pain, vision problems, or diarrhea.

• Risk factors: Heart failure | High blood pressure | Kidney problems | Recent heart attack

Emflaza (deflazacort) can cause damage to the heart and kidneys by raising blood pressure, raising salt and water levels, and causing potassium and calcium loss. Your provider will monitor your blood pressure levels, potassium levels, and signs of swelling and excess body fluid. Let your provider know if you or your child has any heart or kidney problems before starting Emflaza (deflazacort) to make sure this medication is safe to take.

• Risk factors: Stomach ulcer | Diverticulitis | Stomach surgery | Ulcerative colitis

Emflaza (deflazacort) can raise the risk of stomach problems, such as getting a tear in the stomach lining. Tell your provider if you or your child has any stomach problems, such as stomach ulcers, infections (e.g., diverticulitis), or recent stomach surgery.

• Risk factors: History of mental health conditions | High dose

Emflaza (deflazacort) might cause changes in your mood or behavior, which can happen within a few days or weeks of starting this medication. Let your provider know right away if you notice any mood swings (feeling extreme excitement, happiness, or depression), hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there), trouble sleeping (insomnia), or a loss of contact with reality while taking this medication.

• Risk factors: Children and adolescents

Emflaza (deflazacort) can reduce bone formation and lead to bone loss. This can later raise your risk for bone fractures. In some cases, Emflaza (deflazacort) can cause blood supply problems to your bones. Your provider will monitor your or your child's bones, growth, and development while taking this medication. Speak to your provider if you have concerns.

• Risk factors: Cataracts | Glaucoma

Emflaza (deflazacort) might raise your risk of eye problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infections. Let your provider know if you or your child develops blurry vision or other vision problems while taking Emflaza (deflazacort).

Although rare, some people experience serious skin rashes while taking Emflaza (deflazacort). There have been reports of a life-threatening condition called toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which causes blistering and peeling of the skin, that can occur within 8 weeks of starting Emflaza (deflazacort). Let your provider know right away at the first sign of a rash, and they can advise you how to safely stop this medication if needed.

• Risk factors: Long-term use

Although rare, there have been reports of people developing a type of cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma when taking corticosteroids like Emflaza (deflazacort) for a long time. Discuss the risk with your provider if you're to take this medication long term.

• Risk factors: History of nerve conditions | Taking neuromuscular blocking medications

Emflaza (deflazacort) can raise the risk of serious muscle weakness that can even sometimes affect breathing muscles in people with a history of nerve conditions (e.g., myasthenia gravis) or who are taking neuromuscular blocking medications (e.g., pancuronium). Recovery can take weeks to years after stopping Emflaza (deflazacort). Let your provider know if you experience muscle weakness, breathing problems, or vision problems while taking this medication.

Emflaza (deflazacort) can cause birth defects and restrict the growth of unborn babies if given during pregnancy. It can also pass into breast milk and cause side effects in breastfed babies. Speak with your provider about the risks and benefits to you and your baby before taking Emflaza (deflazacort) during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Emflaza (deflazacort) shouldn't be used in children under 2 years old because it hasn't been proven to be safe or work well in this age group. In addition, the liquid suspension contains a preservative called benzyl alcohol. Infants who take benzyl alcohol can have serious reactions like "gasping syndrome", where they have trouble breathing, buildup of acid in the body (metabolic acidosis), and gasp for air. If your child has these symptoms, seek medical help right away.

• Risk factors: High dose | History of blood clotting problems

Although rare, Emflaza (deflazacort) might raise your risk of getting blood clots. If you have a history of getting blood clots, speak with your provider before starting Emflaza (deflazacort) to see if this medication is safe to take.