Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is treated with riluzole. Riluzole belongs to the group of drugs known as benzothiazoles. It functions by altering the actions of specific organic compounds in the body that have an impact on the nerves and muscles.

Riluzole is available as a tablet and a liquid suspension for oral use. As an oral film that dissolves on the tongue, it is also available. It is often taken twice daily, every 12 hours, on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after meals. It should be taken every day at the same times, typically in the morning and evening. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Riluzole should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Before each usage, shake the suspension vigorously (for at least 30 seconds) to uniformly distribute the drug. Make sure to rotate the bottle up and down until neither clear liquid nor any debris can be seen at the top or bottom of the bottle. Before using riluzole suspension, read the usage directions. Make sure you comprehend these instructions, and if you have any concerns, consult your pharmacist.

Follow these instructions to utilize the oral film:

1. Before handling the film, wash your hands and make sure they are totally dry.
2. Place the riluzole oral film on top of the tongue after removing it from the foil patch.
3. Allow the riluzole oral film to dissolve while closing your mouth and swallowing your saliva normally. While riluzole dissolves, refrain from drinking anything, chewing, spitting, or talking.
4. After handling the oral riluzole film, wash your hands.

Riluzole does not treat ALS; it only slows its progression. Even if you feel well, keep taking riluzole. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking riluzole.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking riluzole,

• If you have any allergies, including to riluzole, other drugs, or any of the substances in riluzole pills, solution, or oral films, notify your doctor right once. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal items, and dietary supplements you are currently taking or intend to take while on riluzole. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Acetaminophen, which is available over-the-counter or as a herbal supplement, may interact with riluzole. Prior to beginning riluzole therapy, be sure to inform your physician and pharmacist that you are taking this medicine. Avoid starting any of these medications while taking riluzole without first seeing your doctor.
• If you are of Japanese origin and now have or have ever had kidney or liver problems, let your doctor know.
• Inform your physician if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while taking riluzole.
• If you use tobacco products, let your doctor know. Smoking cigarettes may reduce this medication’s effectiveness.

Eat nothing that has been grilled over charcoal.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Riluzole might have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Mouth ache
• A numb mouth
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Drowsiness
• Edema of the lower legs, ankles, feet, or hands
• Rapid heartbeat

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Hives
• Rash
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Wet cough
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Extreme fatigue
• Uncommon bruising or bleeding
• Reduced appetite
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• Dark feces
• Fever, chills, cough, or other infection-related symptoms
• Joint or muscle ache
• Headache

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and away from light, excessive heat, and moisture. Don’t let the suspension freeze. The suspension bottle should always be kept upright. Use the suspension within 15 days of opening the bottle, and beyond that time, throw away any unused medication.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning.http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilizing a medicine take-back program is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programs in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back program, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Loss of memory
• Bluish skin tone, a headache, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and a lack of vitality
• Difficulty concentrating, uncontrollable movements, and convulsions
• Coma

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how well your body is responding to riluzole, your doctor will request a few lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.