LOOKING TO KEEP EMFLAZA® (deflazacort) IN YOUR SON'S TREATMENT PLAN?

Learn how to talk to your son's healthcare provider about staying on EMFLAZA.

SEE THE FAQ
Important Safety Information
Prescribing Information

Convenient once‑daily dosing to help him stay engaged in the now

EMFLAZA is available in tablet and liquid forms and can be taken with or without food. Recommended dosing is approximately 0.9 mg/kg/day for both formulations.

Below you will find helpful information about how to take EMFLAZA, dosing considerations, and potential drug interactions.

Using the Dosing Assistant

It's important to be mindful of changes in weight as they may impact your son's dosing. You can calculate dosing according to weight using the simple tool below.

Note: Speak to your son's healthcare provider before making any dosing changes.

Get the weight-based dosing guide

Annual dose adjustments associated with yearly weight changes may not be enough. Use this guide and regularly monitor your son's weight. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have questions.

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Obtenga más información sobre EMFLAZA en español.
Actual EMFLAZA patients.

Tablets are available in 4 different strengths
(6 mg, 18 mg, 30 mg, 36 mg)

  • EMFLAZA can be taken with or without food
  • Tablets may be given whole or crushed and can be taken immediately after mixing with applesauce
  • You can combine multiple tablets to add up to the prescribed dosing, rounding up to the nearest dose amount

Also available in liquid form

  • Round up to the nearest tenth of a milliliter (mL)
  • 13 mL in a 30‑mL bottle with two 1‑mL oral dispensers included
  • Mix EMFLAZA well with 3‑4 oz of juice or milk and give immediately
  • Store at room temperature
  • Replace cap tightly on bottle and clean oral dispenser after each use
  • Discard any unused EMFLAZA after 1 month of first opening the bottle
  • Do not mix EMFLAZA with grapefruit juice; EMFLAZA should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice

Important Dosing Considerations

Your child should not stop taking EMFLAZA abruptly or without checking with their healthcare provider. You may need to gradually reduce the dose rather than discontinue treatment altogether.

  • The dosage of EMFLAZA must be decreased gradually if your child has taken it for more than a few days
  • Weight gain should be assessed to determine whether the dose is appropriate

You may need to adjust the dose as your son grows. Track his bodyweight to help determine the appropriate dosage.

Considering a switch

Indication & Important Safety Information for EMFLAZA® (deflazacort)

When should I not take EMFLAZA?

Do not use if you have had hypersensitivity, including allergic reactions, to deflazacort or any of the inactive ingredients.

What warnings should I know about EMFLAZA?

  • EMFLAZA can cause changes in endocrine function. Do not stop taking EMFLAZA, or change the amount you are taking, without first checking with your healthcare provider, as there may be a need for gradual dose reduction to decrease the risk of adrenal insufficiency and steroid “withdrawal syndrome”. Acute adrenal insufficiency can occur if corticosteroids are withdrawn abruptly, and can be fatal. A steroid “withdrawal syndrome,” seemingly unrelated to adrenocortical insufficiency, may also occur following abrupt discontinuance of corticosteroids. For patients already taking corticosteroids during times of stress, the dosage may need to be increased.
  • There is an increased risk of infection when taking EMFLAZA. Tell the healthcare provider if the patient has had recent or ongoing infections or if they have recently received a vaccine. Medical advice should be sought immediately if the patient develops fever or other signs of infection. Patients and/or caregivers should be made aware that some infections can potentially be severe and fatal. Warn patients who are on corticosteroids to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles and to alert their healthcare provider immediately if they are exposed.
  • EMFLAZA can cause an increase in blood pressure and water retention. If this occurs, dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be needed.
  • There is an increased risk of developing a hole in the stomach or intestines in patients with certain stomach or intestine disorders when taking corticosteroids like EMFLAZA.
  • EMFLAZA can cause severe behavioral and mood changes. Seek medical attention from the health care provider if any behavioral or mood changes develop.
  • There is a risk of osteoporosis with prolonged use of EMFLAZA, which can lead to vertebral and long bone fractures.
  • EMFLAZA may cause cataracts or glaucoma and a health care provider should monitor for these conditions if corticosteroid therapy is continued for more than 6 weeks.
  • Immunizations should be up-to-date according to immunization guidelines prior to starting therapy with EMFLAZA. Live‑attenuated or live vaccines should be administered at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to starting EMFLAZA. Live‑attenuated or live vaccines should not be used in patients taking EMFLAZA.
  • EMFLAZA can cause serious skin rashes. Seek medical attention at the first sign of a rash.
  • Rare instances of anaphylaxis have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, including EMFLAZA.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell the health care provider about all medical conditions, including if the patient:

  • is pregnant or planning to become pregnant. EMFLAZA® (deflazacort) can harm your unborn baby.
  • is breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. EMFLAZA may appear in breastmilk and could affect a nursing child.

Certain medications can cause an interaction with EMFLAZA. Tell your healthcare provider of all the medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines (such as insulin, aspirin or other NSAIDS), dietary supplements, and herbal products. Alternate treatment, dosage adjustment, and/or special test(s) may be needed during the treatment.

What are the side effects of EMFLAZA?

The most common side effects of EMFLAZA include facial puffiness or Cushingoid appearance, weight increased, increased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, frequent daytime urination, unwanted hair growth, central obesity, and colds. These are not all of the possible side effects of EMFLAZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

To report an adverse event, please call 1-866-562-4620 or email at usmedinfo@ptcbio.com. You may also report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Indication & Important Safety Information for EMFLAZA® (deflazacort)

When should I not take EMFLAZA?

Do not use if you have had hypersensitivity, including allergic reactions, to deflazacort or any of the inactive ingredients.

What warnings should I know about EMFLAZA?

  • EMFLAZA can cause changes in endocrine function. Do not stop taking EMFLAZA, or change the amount you are taking, without first checking with your healthcare provider, as there may be a need for gradual dose reduction to decrease the risk of adrenal insufficiency and steroid “withdrawal syndrome”. Acute adrenal insufficiency can occur if corticosteroids are withdrawn abruptly, and can be fatal. A steroid “withdrawal syndrome,” seemingly unrelated to adrenocortical insufficiency, may also occur following abrupt discontinuance of corticosteroids. For patients already taking corticosteroids during times of stress, the dosage may need to be increased.
  • There is an increased risk of infection when taking EMFLAZA. Tell the healthcare provider if the patient has had recent or ongoing infections or if they have recently received a vaccine. Medical advice should be sought immediately if the patient develops fever or other signs of infection. Patients and/or caregivers should be made aware that some infections can potentially be severe and fatal. Warn patients who are on corticosteroids to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles and to alert their healthcare provider immediately if they are exposed.
  • EMFLAZA can cause an increase in blood pressure and water retention. If this occurs, dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be needed.
  • There is an increased risk of developing a hole in the stomach or intestines in patients with certain stomach or intestine disorders when taking corticosteroids like EMFLAZA.
  • EMFLAZA can cause severe behavioral and mood changes. Seek medical attention from the health care provider if any behavioral or mood changes develop.
  • There is a risk of osteoporosis with prolonged use of EMFLAZA, which can lead to vertebral and long bone fractures.
  • EMFLAZA may cause cataracts or glaucoma and a health care provider should monitor for these conditions if corticosteroid therapy is continued for more than 6 weeks.
  • Immunizations should be up-to-date according to immunization guidelines prior to starting therapy with EMFLAZA. Live‑attenuated or live vaccines should be administered at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to starting EMFLAZA. Live‑attenuated or live vaccines should not be used in patients taking EMFLAZA.
  • EMFLAZA can cause serious skin rashes. Seek medical attention at the first sign of a rash.
  • Rare instances of anaphylaxis have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, including EMFLAZA.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell the health care provider about all medical conditions, including if the patient:

  • is pregnant or planning to become pregnant. EMFLAZA® (deflazacort) can harm your unborn baby.
  • is breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. EMFLAZA may appear in breastmilk and could affect a nursing child.

Certain medications can cause an interaction with EMFLAZA. Tell your healthcare provider of all the medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines (such as insulin, aspirin or other NSAIDS), dietary supplements, and herbal products. Alternate treatment, dosage adjustment, and/or special test(s) may be needed during the treatment.

What are the side effects of EMFLAZA?

The most common side effects of EMFLAZA include facial puffiness or Cushingoid appearance, weight increased, increased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, frequent daytime urination, unwanted hair growth, central obesity, and colds. These are not all of the possible side effects of EMFLAZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

To report an adverse event, please call 1-866-562-4620 or email at usmedinfo@ptcbio.com. You may also report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Prescription Start Form

Indication & Important Safety Information for EMFLAZA® (deflazacort)

What is EMFLAZA® (deflazacort) used for?

EMFLAZA is a prescription medicine used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients 2 years of age and older.

When should I not take EMFLAZA?

Do not use if you have had hypersensitivity, including allergic reactions, to deflazacort or any of the inactive ingredients.

What warnings should I know about EMFLAZA?

  • EMFLAZA can cause changes in endocrine function. Do not stop taking EMFLAZA, or change the amount you are taking, without first checking with your healthcare provider, as there may be a need for gradual dose reduction to decrease the risk of adrenal insufficiency and steroid “withdrawal syndrome”. Acute adrenal insufficiency can occur if corticosteroids are withdrawn abruptly, and can be fatal. A steroid “withdrawal syndrome,” seemingly unrelated to adrenocortical insufficiency, may also occur following abrupt discontinuance of corticosteroids. For patients already taking corticosteroids during times of stress, the dosage may need to be increased.
  • There is an increased risk of infection when taking EMFLAZA. Tell the healthcare provider if the patient has had recent or ongoing infections or if they have recently received a vaccine. Medical advice should be sought immediately if the patient develops fever or other signs of infection. Patients and/or caregivers should be made aware that some infections can potentially be severe and fatal. Warn patients who are on corticosteroids to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles and to alert their healthcare provider immediately if they are exposed.
  • EMFLAZA can cause an increase in blood pressure and water retention. If this occurs, dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be needed.
  • There is an increased risk of developing a hole in the stomach or intestines in patients with certain stomach or intestine disorders when taking corticosteroids like EMFLAZA.
  • EMFLAZA can cause severe behavioral and mood changes. Seek medical attention from the health care provider if any behavioral or mood changes develop.
  • There is a risk of osteoporosis with prolonged use of EMFLAZA, which can lead to vertebral and long bone fractures.
  • EMFLAZA may cause cataracts or glaucoma and a health care provider should monitor for these conditions if corticosteroid therapy is continued for more than 6 weeks.
  • Immunizations should be up-to-date according to immunization guidelines prior to starting therapy with EMFLAZA. Live‑attenuated or live vaccines should be administered at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to starting EMFLAZA. Live‑attenuated or live vaccines should not be used in patients taking EMFLAZA.
  • EMFLAZA can cause serious skin rashes. Seek medical attention at the first sign of a rash.
  • Rare instances of anaphylaxis have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, including EMFLAZA.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell the health care provider about all medical conditions, including if the patient:

  • is pregnant or planning to become pregnant. EMFLAZA® (deflazacort) can harm your unborn baby.
  • is breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. EMFLAZA may appear in breastmilk and could affect a nursing child.

Certain medications can cause an interaction with EMFLAZA. Tell your healthcare provider of all the medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines (such as insulin, aspirin or other NSAIDS), dietary supplements, and herbal products. Alternate treatment, dosage adjustment, and/or special test(s) may be needed during the treatment.

What are the side effects of EMFLAZA?

The most common side effects of EMFLAZA include facial puffiness or Cushingoid appearance, weight increased, increased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, frequent daytime urination, unwanted hair growth, central obesity, and colds. These are not all of the possible side effects of EMFLAZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

To report an adverse event, please call 1-866-562-4620 or email at usmedinfo@ptcbio.com. You may also report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.