fbpx

Treatments and care for DMD

Current treatments and therapies can slow down DMD progression and improve quality of life.

We're working to bring more effective treatments to patients by funding research and accelerating drug development, as well as working to improve standards of care in the UK through the DMD Care UK project.

A doctor treating a boy with leg splints A doctor treating a boy with leg splints
Boy in hospital colouring

The best care for DMD

Receiving the right treatment and care has a big impact on people with DMD’s quality of life and life expectancy.

Healthcare professionals should refer to The Diagnosis and Management of DMD, an international guide published in the Lancet Neurology in 2010 and updated in 2018 and the DMD Care UK clinical recommendations, which provide more detailed recommendations specific to the UK.

Visit DMD Care UK for more information and resources on the recommended care and treatment for DMD.

 

Recommended treatments and care for DMD

Other medications and supporting therapies can improve the quality and length of life of those living with DMD and ease the symptoms of the disease. The below recommendations are based on research and clinical expertise and follow the clinical recommendations from DMD Care UK.

Approved medications for DMD

The following medications can be prescribed to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and some of the complications of the disease. Not all treatments are suitable for every patient or for every stage of DMD, so speak to your doctor about your/your child's needs.

Different countries have medicine and healthcare regulatory agencies with different criteria for drug approval, so some treatments that have not been approved for use in the UK are available elsewhere. To understand the landscape of treatments currently in clinical trials or approved for use in the USA, visit PPMD's Duchenne Drug Development Pipeline. For treatments in the EU (and some other jurisdictions such as Japan) please visit the WDO's Drug Pipeline.

Decisions to bring treatments available elsewhere to the UK are made by manufacturers. You can find drugs approved in the UK below, and news on drugs in the UK pipeline in our news section.

Find out more

Treatments in the pipeline

Duchenne UK is funding research to bring new effective treatments to patients, faster.

Research we fund Research we fund
An illustration of DNA being extracted by a scientist An illustration of DNA being extracted by a scientist

About gene therapy

Gene therapy is a potential treatment for DMD currently being tested in clinical trials.

Gene therapy FAQs Gene therapy FAQs
Young boy with doctor having a heart check up in hospital Young boy with doctor having a heart check up in hospital

DMD Care UK

Find out about our project to improve the standards of DMD care throughout the UK.

About DMD Care UK About DMD Care UK

Sign up to our newsletter

Sign up for the latest news on DMD research, upcoming events and ways to get involved.