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General Medication Fact Sheet for Rilutek
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Rilutek |
| Generic Name | Riluzole |
| Boxed/Label Warning | Liver toxicity and neutropenia (low white blood cell count) |
| Purpose | Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease |
| Mechanism of Action | Believed to inhibit glutamate release, block postsynaptic glutamate receptors, and inactivate voltage-dependent sodium channels. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral tablets |
| Available Strengths | 50 mg |
| Dosage Frequency | Twice daily |
| Common Side Effects | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, decreased lung function |
| Serious Side Effects | Liver problems, neutropenia (low white blood cell count), interstitial lung disease |
| Drug Interactions | Drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 (e.g., theophylline, caffeine), drugs that affect liver function (e.g., allopurinol, methyldopa), rifampin, omeprazole |
| Important Notes | Regular liver function tests and complete blood counts are necessary during treatment. Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. |
| Storage | Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. |
| Missed Dose | Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose. |
| Alternatives | Edaravone (Radicava), Tiglutik (riluzole oral suspension), Nuedexta (dextromethorphan/quinidine), Relyvrio (sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol) |
Rilutek Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Edaravone (Radicava) | Free radical scavenger | Administered intravenously or orally to slow the decline in clinical function associated with ALS. |
| Tiglutik (riluzole oral suspension) | Glutamate release inhibitor | An oral suspension form of riluzole, indicated for the treatment of ALS. |
| Nuedexta (dextromethorphan/quinidine) | Sigma-1 receptor agonist and NMDA receptor antagonist/CYP2D6 inhibitor | Indicated for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). Although it is not a direct treatment for ALS, PBA is commonly associated with it. |
| Relyvrio (sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol) | Reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction | Slows the progression of ALS. |
Rilutek Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Nausea | Liver problems (jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain) |
| Vomiting | Neutropenia (fever, chills, sore throat) |
| Diarrhea | Interstitial lung disease (cough, shortness of breath) |
| Abdominal pain | Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing) |
| Dizziness | Increased muscle weakness |
Rilutek Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) | 50 mg | 50 mg twice daily | Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. |
