[Double-blind study of the efficacy of an antiserotoninergic drug, pizotifen, in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy].

In 40 patients presenting with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a double blind therapeutic trial of 18 months was undertaken in order to appreciate the efficacy of pizotifen, an anti-serotoninergic drug. Quarterly evaluations were performed. Each of them included muscular testing on 31 pairs of muscles, timed tests, dynamometric study of the thumb-forefinger grip, functional testing, respiratory function tests, muscular enzyme determinations, parents' subjective estimation and search for side-effects. With respect to the evolution of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, this study did not show significant differences between pizotifen at a dose of 1.5 mg/day and placebo, except for a parents' preference for the drug.