Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
General Health Maintenance
Because dermatomyositis is a serious disease with long-term implications, physical exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and a nutritious diet are an integral part of treatment.
Cortisone
Cortisone-like drugs, usually oral prednisone, often produce a satisfactory response over the course of 2 to 3 months, after which the dose may be reduced according to the activity of the disease.
Immunosuppressive Drugs
Agents used to treat cancer and organ transplants have helped patients who did not respond to prednisone. Examples of these medications include:
- Methotrexate
- Cyclophosphamide
- Chlorambucil
- Azathioprine
- Mycophenolate mofetil
- Cyclosporine
Experimental Treatments
The following treatments have been used for severe disease:
- Intravenous immune globulin
- Infliximab
- Rituximab
- Total body irradiation
- Plasma exchange
- Leukapheresis
Improved
620 HealthChanged
293 LivesSaved
210 LivesPopular this Week
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