Description
Medicine overview
Indications of Cortan 20 mg
Rheumatic Disorders: Psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Endocrine Disorders: Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, hypercalcemia associated with cancer. Dermatologic Diseases: Pemphigus, bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, severe erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, severe psoriasis. Allergic States: Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, serum sickness, drug hypersensitivity reactions.Respiratory Diseases: Symptomatic sarcoidosis, berylliosis, fulminating, aspiration pneumonitis. Hematologic Disorders: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, secondary thrombocytopenia, acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia). Edematous States: To induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus. Gastrointestinal Diseases: Ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis.
Theropeutic Class
Glucocorticoids
Pharmacology
Cortan 20 mg decreases inflammation by inhibition of migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversal of increased capillary permeability. It suppresses the immune system by reducing the activity and production of the lymphocytes and eosinophils.
Dosage & Administration of Cortan 20 mg
The initial dose may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day depending on the specific disease. After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response is reached. Constant monitoring is needed in regard to drug dosage. If after long-term therapy the drug is to be stopped, it is recommended that it should be withdrawn gradually rather than abruptly. Multiple Sclerosis: In the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis daily doses of 200 mg of Cortan 20 mg for a week followed by 80 mg every other day for 1 month have been shown to be effective.
Dosage of Cortan 20 mg
Adult-Nephrotic Syndrome: Initial: 2 mg/kg/day (maximum 80 mg/day) in divided doses 3 to 4 times/day until urine is protein free for 3 consecutive days (maximum: 28 days); followed by 1 to 1.5 mg/kg/dose given every other day for 4 weeks. Maintenance dose: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/ dose given every other day for 3 to 6 months. Anti-inflammatory: 5 to 60 mg per day in divided doses 1 to 4 times/day.Acute Asthma: 40-60 mg/day PO in single daily dose or divided q12 hr for 3-10 days.Allergic Conditions: Day 1: 10 mg PO before breakfast, 5 mg after lunch and after dinner, and 10 mg at bedtime. Day 2: 5 mg PO before breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner and 10 mg at bedtime. Day 3: 5 mg PO before breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime. Day 4: 5 mg PO before breakfast, after lunch, and at bedtime. Day 5: 5 mg PO before breakfast and at bedtime. Day 6: 5 mg PO before breakfast. Pediatric-Asthma: 1 year: Acute: 10 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance: 10 mg orally every other day. 1 to 4 years: Acute: 20 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance: 20 mg orally every other day. 5 to 12 years: Acute: 30 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance: 30 mg orally every other day. 12 years: Acute: 40 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance: 40 mg orally every other day. Anti-inflammatory: 0.05 to 2 mg/kg/day divided 1 to 4 times/day.Immunosuppression: 0.05 to 2 mg/kg/day divided 1 to 4 times/day.
Interaction of Cortan 20 mg
The efficacy of Cortan 20 mg is reduced by Aminoglutethimide, Antacids, Barbiturates, Carbamazepine, Griseofulvin, Mitotane, Phenylbutazone, Phenytoin, Primidone and Rifampin. Cortan 20 mg reduces the amount of potassium in the blood. Digitalis can cause Cardiac arrhythmias if hypokalemia occurs. Immunization should be done very carefully.
Contraindications
Systemic infections unless specific anti-infective therapy is employed. Hypersensitivity to any ingredient. Ocular herpes simplex because of possible perforation.
Side Effects of Cortan 20 mg
Common side effects include increased appetite, indigestion, nervousness or restlessness. Less frequent or rare side effects are darkening or lightening of skin color, dizziness or lightheadedness, flushing of face or cheeks, hiccups, increased sweating, the sensation of spinning.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Since adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with corticosteroids, the use of these drugs in pregnancy, nursing mothers or women of childbearing potential requires that the possible benefits of the drug be weighed against the potential hazards to the mother and embryo or fetus. Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy, should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary. All corticosteroids increase calcium excretion
Precautions & Warnings
Precaution has to be taken in diabetes, hypertension, Psychological disturbances, osteoporosis, post-menopausal women, pregnancy and in chronic nephritis. Long-term use of Cortan 20 mg can cause Cushing’s habitus, hyperglycemia, muscular weakness, increased susceptibility to infection, delayed wound healing, and psychiatric disturbances.
Overdose Effects of Cortan 20 mg
Adverse effects related to prednisone normally develop only after prolonged use of doses in excess of the normal physiological requirement. Treatment is symptomatic and where possible the prednisone dose should be reduced gradually.
Storage Conditions
Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light. Keep out of the reach of the children.
Drug Classes
Glucocorticoids
Mode Of Action
Cortan 20 mg is a synthetic adrenocortical drug with predominantly glucocorticoid properties. It directly inhibits the action of the Phospholipase A2 enzyme which is responsible for the production of different inflammatory mediators like Leukotrienes, SRS-A, Prostaglandins etc. Cortan 20 mg is rapidly and well absorbed from the Gl tract following oral administration. the medicine is 70- 90% protein-bound in the plasma and it is eliminated from the plasma with a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. It is metabolized mainly in the liver and excreted in the urine.