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Riluzole

    DEA Class;  Rx

    Common Brand Names; Rilutek, Tiglutik, Exservan

    • Glutamate Inhibitors

    Oral glutamate antagonist
    Used for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    Does not cure disease or improve symptoms, but may prolong survival by 3 months

    Indicated for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

    For the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s Disease (Huntington’s Chorea)†.

    Hypersensitivity to drug or any component of the formulation

    • Oral hypoesthesia (29%)
    • Asthenia (19%)
    • Nausea (16%)
    • Decreased lung function (10%)
    • Hypertension (5%)
    • Abdominal pain (5%)
    • Vomiting (4%)
    • Arthralgia (4%)
    • Dizziness (4%)
    • Dry mouth (4%)
    • Insomnia (4%)
    • Pruritus (4%)
    • Tachycardia (3%)
    • Flatulence (3%)
    • Increased cough (3%)
    • Peripheral edema (3%)
    • Urinary tract infection (3%)
    • Circumoral paresthesia (2%)
    • Somnolence (2%)
    • Vertigo (2%)
    • Eczema (2%)
    • Acute hepatitis
    • Icteric toxic hepatitis
    • Renal tubular impairment
    • Pancreatitis

    Cases of severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <500/mm3) within first 2 months of treatment reported; advise patients to report febrile illnesses

    Interstitial lung disease, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, reported in patients receiving therapy; discontinue immediately if interstitial lung disease develops

    There are no studies in pregnant women, and case reports have been inadequate to inform of drug-associated risk

    Unknown if risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

    Unknown if distributed in human breast milk

    Adults

    100 mg/day PO for ALS; 200 mg/day PO off-label for Huntington’s Chorea.

    Geriatric

    100mg/day PO for ALS; 200 mg/day PO off-label for Huntington’s Chorea.

    Adolescents

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Children

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Infants

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Riluzole

    tablet

    • 50mg

    oral suspension

    • 5mg/mL (300-mL multidose bottle)

    oral film

    • 50mg