Rilutek (Riluzole) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

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May 27, 2012

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) »

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. The disease belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases, which are characterized by the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons. Motor neurons are nerve cells located in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord that serve as controlling units and vital communication links between the nervous system and the voluntary muscles of the body. Messages from motor neurons in the brain (called upper motor neurons) are transmitted to motor neurons in the spinal cord (called lower motor neurons) and from them to particular muscles. In ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weake...

Read the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) article »

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PATIENT INFORMATION

Patients should be advised to report any febrile illness to their physicians (see WARNINGS: Neutropenia).

Patients and caregivers should be advised that RILUTEK (riluzole) should be taken on a regular basis and at the same time of the day (e.g., in the morning and evening) each day. If a dose is missed, take the next tablet as originally planned (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Patients should be warned about the potential for dizziness, vertigo, or somnolence and advised not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on RILUTEK (riluzole) to gauge whether or not it affects their mental and/or motor performance adversely.

Whether alcohol increases the risk of serious hepatotoxicity with RILUTEK (riluzole) is unknown; therefore, patients being treated with RILUTEK (riluzole) should be discouraged from drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Patients should also be made aware that RILUTEK (riluzole) should be stored at temperatures between 20°-25°C (68°-77°F) and protected from bright light.

RILUTEK (riluzole) must be kept out of the reach of children.

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/5/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.