Riluzole the film: A help in controlling ALS disease

We all know how challenging it is to live with ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It is a progressive disease that affects the nervous system. There are medications that can help control the progression of the disease, that is, slow down the progression of symptoms. Today we are going to talk about one such very important drug, Riluzole, specifically its oral film.

What is this medicine called Riluzole?

Simply put, Riluzole is a drug that slows the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) , also known as "Lou Gehrig's disease."

Your doctor may sometimes prescribe this medicine for other conditions, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor.

Things you need to tell your doctor before using the medicine

Before you start taking this medicine, it is important to tell your doctor the following information. Do not hide this information, as it is very important for your safety.

• If you have liver disease: Riluzole is cleared from the body mainly through the liver. So if your liver function is poor, it may affect this medicine.
• If you have had an allergic reaction to Riluzole or any other medicine, food, or dye: This is very important, as allergies can be severe.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: The safety of this medication during pregnancy has not been fully established, so it is important to talk to your doctor about this.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: You need to make sure whether the medicine passes to the baby through breast milk, so inform your doctor about this as well.

How exactly do you use this film?

This is not something you swallow like a pill. This is a film that dissolves in your mouth. So follow these steps exactly.

1. First, wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Do not touch the film with wet hands.

2. Only open the sealed pouch when it is time to take the medicine. Do not open it beforehand.

3. Carefully remove the film from the package.

4. Hold that film directly on your tongue .

5. Then let it dissolve in your mouth. It will dissolve in a while. After it dissolves, swallow it with some saliva. There is no need to drink water.

6. Do not cut, crush, or chew this film at any time.

7. Most importantly: This medicine should always be taken on an empty stomach . That is, take it one hour before or two hours after a meal. Taking it with food may reduce the absorption of the medicine into the body.

8. Take your medicine at the prescribed intervals, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed dose.

9. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without medical advice.

If you give this medicine to small children...

This medicine is usually given to adults. If you are giving it to children, you should talk to a pediatrician about it and only do it on his/her advice.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .

What if I miss a dose of medication?

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.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

Some medicines can interact with Riluzole and affect its effectiveness or side effects. For example:

• Allopurinol
• Birth control pills
• Ciprofloxacin
• Fluvoxamine
• Methoxsalen
• Methyldopa
• Mexiletine
• Sulfasalazine
• Thiabendazole
• Vemurafenib
• Zileuton

This list is not complete. Therefore, give your doctor a complete list of all medications you use (prescribed by your doctor or purchased from a pharmacy), herbs, vitamins, and supplements you take. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.

Things to consider when taking medication

• Regular medical checkups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. Tell him how you are doing with the medication and whether your symptoms have improved or worsened.
• Be aware of infections: If you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, or a cold, do not self-medicate and call your doctor immediately. This medicine can slightly reduce the body's ability to fight disease (immunity). So try to stay away from people who are sick.
• Be careful with painkillers: Do not take medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen without your doctor's advice. These can suppress your fever and make it difficult to detect if you have an infection.
• If you smoke: Smoking may make this medicine less effective. If you are a smoker, or are thinking about quitting, talk to your doctor about it.
• Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing other tasks that require concentration until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, do not stand up from sitting or standing suddenly. Do these things slowly.

What side effects might I experience?

Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, some are common.

If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.

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