Sitemap – EMFLAZA (deflazacort)

Important Safety Information
Prescribing Information
Patient Site

Treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Why EMFLAZA®?
Dosing & Administration
Access & Support
- PTC Cares™ Patient Support
- Financial Assistance Programs
Resources
- Available Resources
- Duchenne Communities

Sign Up for Updates
Prescription Start Form
Calculate Dosing

Sign Up for Updates
Prescription Start Form
Calculate Dosing

This site is intended for US healthcare professionals only.

Do you wish to continue?

NO, VISIT PATIENT SITE CONTINUE

Site map

Homepage
Treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Why EMFLAZA®?
Dosing & Adminstration
Access & Support
- PTC Cares™ Patient Support
- Financial Assistance Programs
Resources
- Available Resources
- Duchenne Communities
Sign Up for Updates
Study Summaries
Contact Us
Terms of Use
Important Safety Information
Prescribing Information
Privacy Policy

INDICATION & IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR EMFLAZA® (deflazacort)

INDICATION

EMFLAZA® is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients 2 years of age and older.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications: EMFLAZA is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to deflazacort or any of the inactive ingredients in EMFLAZA.

Warnings & Precautions

Alterations in Endocrine Function: Corticosteroids, such as EMFLAZA, can cause serious and life-threatening alterations in endocrine function, especially with chronic use. Monitor patients receiving EMFLAZA for Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and adrenal insufficiency after EMFLAZA withdrawal. In addition, patients with hypopituitarism, primary adrenal insufficiency or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, altered thyroid function, or pheochromocytoma may be at increased risk for adverse endocrine events. Acute adrenal insufficiency or “withdrawal syndrome” can occur if corticosteroids are withdrawn abruptly, and can be fatal. The risk is reduced by gradually tapering the corticosteroid dose when withdrawing treatment. During times of medical stress, corticosteroid dosage may need to be increased.
Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection: Increased risk of new, exacerbation, dissemination, or reactivation of latent infections, which can be severe and at times fatal; Signs and symptoms of infection may be masked. Tell patients and/or caregivers to inform their healthcare provider if the patient has had recent or ongoing infections or if they have recently received a vaccine. Warn patients who are on corticosteroids who have not had chickenpox or measles to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles and to alert their healthcare provider immediately if they are exposed.
Alterations in Cardiovascular/Renal Function: Monitor for elevated blood pressure. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be needed.
Gastrointestinal Perforation: Increased risk of gastrointestinal perforation during corticosteroid use in patients with certain gastrointestinal disorders such as active or latent peptic ulcers, diverticulitis, recent intestinal anastomoses, and inflammatory bowel disease. Signs and symptoms may be masked.
Behavioral and Mood Disturbances: May include euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, severe depression, and psychosis. Encourage patients to seek medical attention if symptoms develop or worsen.
Effects on Bones: The risk of osteoporosis increases with prolonged use of EMFLAZA, which can predispose patients to vertebral and long bone fractures. Monitor for decreases in bone density with chronic use of EMFLAZA.
Ophthalmic Effects: May include cataract formation, ocular infections, and glaucoma. If treatment with corticosteroids, including EMFLAZA, are continued for more than 6 weeks, monitor intraocular pressure.
Vaccination: Do not administer live or live attenuated vaccines to patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Administer live-attenuated or live vaccines at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to starting EMFLAZA.
Serious Skin Rashes: Toxic epidermal necrolysis has been reported with the use of deflazacort. Discontinue at the first sign of rash, unless the rash is clearly not drug related.
Effects on Growth and Development: Long-term use of corticosteroids, including EMFLAZA, may slow growth and development in children.
Thromboembolic Events: Observational studies have shown an increased risk of thromboembolism. Use EMFLAZA with caution in patients who have or may be predisposed to thromboembolic disorders.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥10% for EMFLAZA and greater than placebo) are Cushingoid appearance, weight increased, increased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, pollakiuria, hirsutism, central obesity, and nasopharyngitis.

Drug Interactions: Give one third of the recommended dose of EMFLAZA when EMFLAZA is administered with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Avoid use of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers with EMFLAZA, as they may reduce efficacy.

Please see the full Prescribing Information.

For medical information, product complaints, or to report an adverse event, please call 1-866-562-4620 or email at usmedinfo@ptcbio.com.

You may also report adverse events directly to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

References

References: 1. Blake DJ, Weir A, Newey SE, Davies KE. Function and genetics of dystrophin and dystrophin-related proteins in muscle. Physiol Rev. 2002;82(2):291-329. 2. Henricson EK, Abresch RT, Cnaan A, et al; CINRG Investigators. The cooperative international neuromuscular research group Duchenne natural history study: glucocorticoid treatment preserves clinically meaningful functional milestones and reduces rate of disease progression as measured by manual muscle testing and other commonly used clinical trial outcome measures. Muscle Nerve. 2013;48(1):55-67. 3. Humbertclaude V, Hamroun D, Bezzou K, et al. Motor and respiratory heterogeneity in Duchenne patients: implication for clinical trials. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2012;16(2):149-160. 4. Birnkrant DJ, Bushby K, Bann CM, et al; DMD Care Considerations Working Group. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 1: diagnosis, and neuromuscular, rehabilitation, endocrine, and gastrointestinal and nutritional management. Lancet Neurol. 2018;17(3):251-267. 5. Bushby K, Finkel R, Birnkrant DJ, et al; DMD Care Considerations Working Group. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 1: diagnosis, and pharmacological and psychosocial management. Lancet Neurol. 2010;9(1):77-93. 6. Gloss D, Moxley RT 3rd, Ashwal S, Oskoui M. Practice guideline update summary: corticosteroid treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2016;86(5):465-472. 7. Emflaza. Package insert. PTC Therapeutics, Inc; 2019. 8. Parente L. Deflazacort: therapeutic index, relative potency and equivalent doses versus other corticosteroids. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2017;18(1). 9. Griggs RC, Miller JP, Greenberg CR, et al. Efficacy and safety of deflazacort vs prednisone and placebo for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurology. 2016;87(20):2123-‍2131. 10. Bello L, Gordish-Dressman H, Morgenroth LP, et al; CINRG Investigators. Prednisone/prednisolone and deflazacort regimens in the CINRG Duchenne Natural History Study. Neurology. 2015;85(12):1048-1055. 11. McDonald CM, Henricson EK, Abresch RT, et al; CINRG Investigators. Long-term effects of glucocorticoids on function, quality of life, and survival in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2018;391(10119):451-461.

INDICATION & IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR EMFLAZA® (deflazacort)

INDICATION

EMFLAZA® is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients 2 years of age and older.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications: EMFLAZA is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to deflazacort or any of the inactive ingredients in EMFLAZA.

Warnings & Precautions

Alterations in Endocrine Function: Corticosteroids, such as EMFLAZA, can cause serious and life-threatening alterations in endocrine function, especially with chronic use. Monitor patients receiving EMFLAZA for Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and adrenal insufficiency after EMFLAZA withdrawal. In addition, patients with hypopituitarism, primary adrenal insufficiency or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, altered thyroid function, or pheochromocytoma may be at increased risk for adverse endocrine events. Acute adrenal insufficiency or “withdrawal syndrome” can occur if corticosteroids are withdrawn abruptly, and can be fatal. The risk is reduced by gradually tapering the corticosteroid dose when withdrawing treatment. During times of medical stress, corticosteroid dosage may need to be increased.
Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection: Increased risk of new, exacerbation, dissemination, or reactivation of latent infections, which can be severe and at times fatal; Signs and symptoms of infection may be masked. Tell patients and/or caregivers to inform their healthcare provider if the patient has had recent or ongoing infections or if they have recently received a vaccine. Warn patients who are on corticosteroids who have not had chickenpox or measles to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles and to alert their healthcare provider immediately if they are exposed.
Alterations in Cardiovascular/Renal Function: Monitor for elevated blood pressure. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be needed.
Gastrointestinal Perforation: Increased risk of gastrointestinal perforation during corticosteroid use in patients with certain gastrointestinal disorders such as active or latent peptic ulcers, diverticulitis, recent intestinal anastomoses, and inflammatory bowel disease. Signs and symptoms may be masked.
Behavioral and Mood Disturbances: May include euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, severe depression, and psychosis. Encourage patients to seek medical attention if symptoms develop or worsen.
Effects on Bones: The risk of osteoporosis increases with prolonged use of EMFLAZA, which can predispose patients to vertebral and long bone fractures. Monitor for decreases in bone density with chronic use of EMFLAZA.
Ophthalmic Effects: May include cataract formation, ocular infections, and glaucoma. If treatment with corticosteroids, including EMFLAZA, are continued for more than 6 weeks, monitor intraocular pressure.
Vaccination: Do not administer live or live attenuated vaccines to patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Administer live-attenuated or live vaccines at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to starting EMFLAZA.
Serious Skin Rashes: Toxic epidermal necrolysis has been reported with the use of deflazacort. Discontinue at the first sign of rash, unless the rash is clearly not drug related.
Effects on Growth and Development: Long-term use of corticosteroids, including EMFLAZA, may slow growth and development in children.
Thromboembolic Events: Observational studies have shown an increased risk of thromboembolism. Use EMFLAZA with caution in patients who have or may be predisposed to thromboembolic disorders.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥10% for EMFLAZA and greater than placebo) are Cushingoid appearance, weight increased, increased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, pollakiuria, hirsutism, central obesity, and nasopharyngitis.

Drug Interactions: Give one third of the recommended dose of EMFLAZA when EMFLAZA is administered with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Avoid use of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers with EMFLAZA, as they may reduce efficacy.

Please see the full Prescribing Information.

For medical information, product complaints, or to report an adverse event, please call 1-866-562-4620 or email at usmedinfo@ptcbio.com.

You may also report adverse events directly to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

References

References: 1. Blake DJ, Weir A, Newey SE, Davies KE. Function and genetics of dystrophin and dystrophin-related proteins in muscle. Physiol Rev. 2002;82(2):291-329. 2. Henricson EK, Abresch RT, Cnaan A, et al; CINRG Investigators. The cooperative international neuromuscular research group Duchenne natural history study: glucocorticoid treatment preserves clinically meaningful functional milestones and reduces rate of disease progression as measured by manual muscle testing and other commonly used clinical trial outcome measures. Muscle Nerve. 2013;48(1):55-67. 3. Humbertclaude V, Hamroun D, Bezzou K, et al. Motor and respiratory heterogeneity in Duchenne patients: implication for clinical trials. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2012;16(2):149-160. 4. Birnkrant DJ, Bushby K, Bann CM, et al; DMD Care Considerations Working Group. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 1: diagnosis, and neuromuscular, rehabilitation, endocrine, and gastrointestinal and nutritional management. Lancet Neurol. 2018;17(3):251-267. 5. Bushby K, Finkel R, Birnkrant DJ, et al; DMD Care Considerations Working Group. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 1: diagnosis, and pharmacological and psychosocial management. Lancet Neurol. 2010;9(1):77-93. 6. Gloss D, Moxley RT 3rd, Ashwal S, Oskoui M. Practice guideline update summary: corticosteroid treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2016;86(5):465-472. 7. Emflaza. Package insert. PTC Therapeutics, Inc; 2019. 8. Parente L. Deflazacort: therapeutic index, relative potency and equivalent doses versus other corticosteroids. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2017;18(1). 9. Griggs RC, Miller JP, Greenberg CR, et al. Efficacy and safety of deflazacort vs prednisone and placebo for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurology. 2016;87(20):2123-‍2131. 10. Bello L, Gordish-Dressman H, Morgenroth LP, et al; CINRG Investigators. Prednisone/prednisolone and deflazacort regimens in the CINRG Duchenne Natural History Study. Neurology. 2015;85(12):1048-1055. 11. McDonald CM, Henricson EK, Abresch RT, et al; CINRG Investigators. Long-term effects of glucocorticoids on function, quality of life, and survival in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2018;391(10119):451-461.

Contact Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Site Map
About PTC Therapeutics

This site is intended for US healthcare professionals.

MAT-EMF-0348 11/20