Corticosteroids recommended for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society published a new practice guideline for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the January 11, 2005, issue of Neurology. The authors of the paper reviewed all available research about the use of corticosteroids as a treatment for Duchenne MD. Two drugs, prednisone and deflazacort, were shown to slow the rate of muscle deterioration in the disease, and the authors recommend them as potential treatments. Corticosteroids can have some serious side effects, so a physician should closely monitor their use.