From the FDA Drug Label
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Riluzole tablets is indicated for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The use of Riluzole (Rilutek) is for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) 1.
From the Research
Riluzole is a medication that should be used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at a dose of 100 mg per day, as it has been shown to prolong survival by approximately 2-3 months on average and may delay the need for ventilatory support, according to the most recent and highest quality study 2. The standard dosage of 50 mg taken orally twice daily, at least one hour before or two hours after meals, is recommended. Riluzole works by reducing glutamate release in the nervous system, which helps slow the progression of ALS by protecting motor neurons from excitotoxicity. Some key points to consider when prescribing riluzole include:
- Common side effects include nausea, weakness, dizziness, and elevated liver enzymes, so regular liver function monitoring is necessary, especially during the first few months of treatment.
- Patients should avoid taking riluzole with foods high in fat, as this can reduce absorption.
- Riluzole interacts with several medications, including certain antibiotics and antidepressants, so a complete medication review should be conducted before starting treatment.
- The medication has been shown to be reasonably safe and effective in prolonging median survival by about two to three months in patients with ALS, as demonstrated in a retrospective analysis of data from a dose-ranging study 2.
- The ALS stage at which benefit occurs is important for counseling of patients before starting treatment, and staging should be used in future ALS clinical trials to assess the stage at which survival benefit occurs. It's also worth noting that while riluzole doesn't cure ALS, it remains one of the few FDA-approved treatments for the disease and is considered a standard part of ALS management, as supported by multiple studies 3, 4, 5, 6.