A Single Dose Evaluation of the Effects of Moderate Hepatic Impairment on Deflazacort Pharmacokinetics

Deflazacort, a glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, is used in treating a variety of diseases. Pharmacologically it is an inactive pro-drug which is metabolized immediately to the active metabolite, 21 desacetyl-DFZ. The elimination of this metabolite is primarily via the urine in humans. Its potency is approximately 70 to 90% of prednisone and 6 mg of deflazacort has approximately the same anti-inflammatory potency as 5 mg of prednisolone or prednisone.