Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for the query.

Azoran (Azothioprine) is a immunosuppressive that impedes DNA synthesis and thus inhibits the proliferation of cells, especially the fast-growing lymphocytes and in this way reduces the immune activity of these cells. It is the activity of these cells that has resulted in the inflammatory process in your body musculature.

Some important side effects of this medication include :-
A. Immediate or short-term side-effects:- nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and rash.

B. Other important complications include :- Fever, chills; bone marrow depression characterised by leucopenia, thrombocytopenia or anaemia; anorexia, nausea, diarrhoea; arthralgias; secondary infections and hepatotoxicity.

To prevent the side effects due to this medication, regular monitoring of the blood counts, liver function tests, a peripheral blood smear has to be done.

If lab results indicate any abnormality, then the dosage of the medication can be altered or the medication can be changed to better ones with lesser side effects.

Regular follow up with your treating doctor or a immunologist will be essential in this process.

I hope this helps. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.

Regards.

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Hello Again XXXXXXX

Deflazacort (DFZ) is a synthetic glucocorticoid used as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant and has lesser side effects that due to other steroid medications ( prednisone).

This is one of the newer medications that is helpful in muscle inflammatory conditions and helps to preserve the lung and cardiac functions, that are affected due to other steroids.

Some important side effects include: osteoporosis, psychological issues, Feeling sick, abdominal pain or indigestion, Dizziness, Tiredness, feeling weak, skin changes,
Mood or behavioural changes such as nightmares, difficulty sleeping and irritability.

Long-term use of high doses of deflazacort may cause 'Cushing's syndrome' which is where the face becomes round, red and puffy, and stretch marks or acne can develop. Also thinning of the bones or skin, and overgrowth of hair can occur over a long period of time.

These side-effects usually return to normal once the treatment has been stopped.

I hope the information provided is helpful.

Regards.

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Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for the follow up.

The side effects of these medications are due to the use of medications alone, and there is no certainty that you will definitely have them. The effects are dose dependent and every individual will have different ability to handle them. Hence you should not be too anxious about them.

Hence addtional interventions to prevent something that is not there might not be needed.

You can try homeopathy or siddha, which are natural means to improve the body's resistance and will not cause any issues. But the efficiency of these treatments to reduce the side effects due to the medications cannot be validated.

I hope this answers your questions effectively.

Please feel free to ask any doubts if you have. I will be happy to help.

Regards.

Dr Anvekar.

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