A Patient's Guide to Medications for Myositis
Clear, patient-friendly notes on medicines used in myositis care in India. Open the one you need — each medicine has its own page.
Please do not start, stop, or change any medicine without speaking to your doctor. The right medicine depends on your type of myositis, symptoms, age, test results, and overall health.
10 medicines
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Search a name or brand, or open a card to read that medicine's page.
Steroids (Corticosteroids)
Wysolone, Omnacortil, Medrol, Defza
Taken: Usually once daily in the morning (tablet, syrup, or IV)
Works in: A few days to 2 weeks
Cost: 💵1/5
Methotrexate
Folitrax®, Rheumatrex®, Metoject®
Taken: Once a week only — tablet or injection under the skin
Works in: About 4–8 weeks; full benefit up to 3 months
Cost: 💵1/5
IV Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
Immunorel®, Globucel®, IVIGAM®, Octagam®, Privigen®, Kiovig®, Flebogamma®
Taken: IV infusion every 3–4 weeks in hospital
Works in: Often 3–6 weeks, after the first one or two cycles
Cost: 💵💵💵💵4/5
Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF)
CellCept®, Mycept®, Renodapt®, Mofilet®
Taken: Usually twice daily — tablets, capsules, or liquid
Works in: 8–12 weeks; maximum benefit 3–6 months
Cost: 💵💵2/5
Azathioprine
Imuran®, Azoran®, Azapure®
Taken: Usually once daily tablets
Works in: 6–12 weeks; maximum benefit 3–6 months
Cost: 💵1/5
Tofacitinib
Xeljanz®, Tofajak®, Tofatas®, Tofasafe®
Taken: Tablet twice daily, or extended-release once daily
Works in: Often 4–8 weeks
Cost: 💵1/5
Tacrolimus
Pangraf®, Takfa®, Tacrograf®, Tacrotor®, Tbis®
Taken: Usually twice daily capsules — same time, same food pattern
Works in: 6–12 weeks; maximum benefit 3–4 months
Cost: 💵💵2/5
Rituximab
MabThera®, Ristova®, Reditux®, Toritz®
Taken: IV infusion in hospital; often 2 doses 2 weeks apart
Works in: Usually 3–4 months
Cost: 💵💵💵💵4/5
Newer therapy
Anifrolumab
Saphnelo®
Taken: IV infusion about 30 minutes, once every 4 weeks
Works in: Usually 3–6 months; skin often improves first
Cost: 💵💵💵💵💵5/5
Experimental
CAR T-cell Therapy
No commercial brands available for myositis
Taken: One-time specialised hospital procedure after cell manufacturing
Works in: Immune changes in 2–4 weeks; symptoms may improve over months
Cost: 💵💵💵💵💵5/5
Cost interpretation guide
Actual costs may vary depending on product pricing and the insurance status of the patient.
- 💵1Very affordable, standard daily tablets.
- 💵💵2Moderately priced daily tablets or capsules.
- 💵💵💵3Higher cost, hospital administered, but only given once every 6 to 12 months.
- 💵💵💵💵4Higher cost monthly hospital drip.
- 💵💵💵💵💵5Higher cost monthly hospital drip, newly developed advanced therapy.
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New treatments and research
Medical research in myositis is advancing rapidly, including developments in India. See ongoing trials and emerging therapies.