Dermatomyositis Treatment: The Truth About Steroids | Dr. Scott Elman

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]When I talk to patients about steroids, I say that this is our quick fix. This [music] is our immediate like let's get you under control. Let's control your inflammation, but it is not my long-term solution for you. Whenever I am starting a patient on steroids to treat their dermatomyositis, at the same time I am thinking about what is their steroid sparing agent that we're going to introduce.

[00:00:19]Steroid sparing agents are a very familiar topic within the fields of dermatology and rheumatology.

[00:00:25]>> [music] >> These are medicines that have been around for a very long time. They have a good safety profile. There are different nuances about which immunosuppressive treatment to start [music] based on the manifestations of disease. I also find that there's a little bit of a difference in specialty [music] preference for immunosuppressive therapy.

[00:00:40]But know that all of these medicines are reasonable options to treat both the skin manifestations and muscle manifestations, will get you off of steroids quicker, and will be better for your overall health if we can get you on to them.

[00:00:51]Not everyone can get off steroids with dermatomyositis. I think that's also an important piece, but our goal really is to try to do that, whether it with other more advanced therapies, and I do believe that this will be the goal of new and emerging therapies. Coming hopefully soon.