It's normal to feel overwhelmed when a doctor tells you or someone in your family has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS . At a time like this, it's a great relief to learn about treatments that can help you live with this disease. So today we're going to talk about Edaravone, a vaccine that brings hope to ALS patients. If you or a loved one has been prescribed this, this article will be very helpful to you.
Simply put, what is Edaravone?
Edaravone is a drug used to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) . ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Okay, now let's see what this actually does.
The muscles in our body move, such as moving our arms and legs, speaking, and swallowing, through nerve messages sent from the brain. In ALS, the nerve cells that carry these messages are gradually damaged. Over time, muscle control is lost.
The important thing is that Edaravone is not a cure for ALS. But it does something very important. It helps keep the nerve cells in your body healthy. Therefore, this medicine can slow down the rate at which the disease causes muscle loss, which means it can slow down the progression of the disease.
Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting Edaravone treatment, it is important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to mention the following in particular:
- If you have asthma: This means you have lung or breathing problems.
- If you have any allergies: Especially if you have any allergies to Edaravone, sulfites, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives, you should tell your doctor.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this treatment is suitable for you or not and how to administer it safely.
How do you use this medicine?
This medicine is given as an injection into a vein. This is usually given by medical staff in a hospital or clinic. However, sometimes you or a caregiver can be taught how to give this injection at home.
Follow the medication schedule exactly!
This is the most important part of this treatment. Edaravone is given in "cycles." Simply put, it has a specific pattern.
- First cycle: Usually, the medication is given for 14 consecutive days. Then, the medication is not given for 14 days.
- Next Cycle: In subsequent cycles, the drug is given for 10 days within a 14-day period, followed by a 14-day break.
Your doctor will explain this schedule to you exactly. It is extremely important to follow this schedule exactly. Taking more than the prescribed amount or for more than the prescribed number of days can cause serious side effects.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
- If you are taking your medication at a hospital or clinic: If you are unable to attend on your scheduled day, call your healthcare team immediately and let them know. It is very important not to miss your medication appointment.
- If you are taking your medicine at home: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose. If you are in doubt, talk to your doctor.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) of the nearest hospital.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medication, Edaravone can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common. The important thing is to be aware of these and take action quickly if necessary.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your doctor immediately as these can be serious. |
| Difficulty breathing | If your asthma worsens or you experience new breathing difficulties, seek medical advice immediately. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness , fainting, blurred vision. Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | A normal headache may occur, but if it persists or becomes severe, tell your doctor . |
| Loss of body balance | Difficulty maintaining balance when walking or standing. |
| Unusual bruising | Even a small injury to the body can cause a large bruise or bruise. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, don't be afraid to tell your doctor about them as well.
Other considerations and medicine storage
Problems with other medications?
There have been no reports of other medications causing serious problems with edaravone. However, it is important to tell your doctor about all the things you are taking . This includes:
- Medicines for other diseases
- Vitamins, herbal products or supplements
- If you smoke or drink alcohol, tell us about it too.
How to store the medicine?
If you are using medicine at home, be aware of these points.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store at a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit), that is, at normal room temperature.
- Keep the medicine in its original packaging until it is time to use it.
- Protect from light.
- Never use expired medicine. Ask your doctor for advice on how to safely dispose of unused or expired medicine.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share this medicine with anyone else for any reason.
ALS is a challenging disease, but treatments like Edaravone can help slow the progression of the disease. Talk to your doctor regularly and be open about your progress and any concerns you may have.
Take-Home Message
- Edaravone is not a cure for ALS, but it helps protect nerve cells and slow down the progression of the disease.
- It is extremely important to follow the cycle schedule given by your doctor exactly. Never take more than the prescribed amount.
- Tell your doctor about any conditions such as asthma, allergies, and pregnancy before starting treatment.
- If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing or severe allergic reactions, seek medical advice immediately.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have. You are not alone.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න