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Brand Names:
Rilutek
What is Riluzole?
Riluzole is the first drug to be approved for the treatment of ALS. Riluzole does not cure the disease or improve symptoms, but may extend the survival of patients by approximately three months. Riluzole appears to be more effective in patients with bulbar-onset than for those with limb-onset.
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See more information, including instructions, precautions, side effects, and interactions.
839 patients in the community are taking or have taken Riluzole.
| Reason | # Patients | Percentage of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Slow my ALS progress | 737 | 87% |
| disease-related symptoms | 17 | 2% |
| Other | 15 | 1% |
| Don't know | 8 | <1% |
| Stiffness/spasticity | 6 | <1% |
| General health | 5 | <1% |
| Fasciculations | 4 | <1% |
| Fatigue | 3 | <1% |
| Bulbar symptoms | 1 | <1% |
| Anxiety | 1 | <1% |
| Pain | 1 | <1% |
| Slow my MS progress | 1 | <1% |
| Support another treatment | 1 | <1% |
How long current patients have been taking Riluzole or how long patients were taking Riluzole before stopping.
| Reason | # Patients | Percentage of patients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side effects too severe | 56 | 45% | |
| Did not seem to work | 37 | 30% | |
| Other | 20 | 16% | |
| Doctor's advice | 15 | 12% | |
| Expense | 14 | 11% | |
| Personal research | 12 | 10% | |
| Not indicated | 10 | 8% | |
| Course of treatment ended | 2 | 2% |
Results from 37 patient evaluations. See the overall results and all individual evaluations.
| Moderate | 14% | 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Slight | 6% | 2 |
| None | 3% | 1 |
| Can't tell | 78% | 28 |
Slow my ALS progress
| Severe | 8% | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | 8% | 3 |
| Mild | 5% | 2 |
| None | 78% | 29 |
Top reported side-effects include: Fatigue, Loose stools, Muscle weakness
Summary results are based on 37 individual responses. For more information, see overall results for Adherence, Burden and Cost.