It's normal to feel a heavy burden when your doctor tells you or someone in your family has a serious neurological condition like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Riluzole is a special medication that helps control the progression of this disease, that is, the gradual progression of the disease. So today, let's talk about this important medication in a simple way, as if explaining it to a friend.
What is Riluzole?
Simply put, Riluzole is a drug that slows the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) , a neurodegenerative disease (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). It doesn't cure the disease completely, but it can help control the damage to nerve cells and provide some relief. Doctors may also prescribe this drug for other conditions. If you have any questions about it, it's best to ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Your situation | Why is it important to inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Liver disease | This medicine is mainly eliminated from the body through the liver. If you have any liver problems, your dose may need to be adjusted or you may need to have special tests. |
| Allergies | If you have any allergies to riluzole, other medications, foods, or preservatives, please let us know in advance. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | There is still no complete information about the safety of this medication during pregnancy. Therefore, you should discuss this with your doctor and decide on the benefits and risks. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | Since there is no clear information about whether this medication passes to the baby through breast milk, it is essential to inform the doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Swallow this pill whole with a glass of water.
- Take your medicine at the right time, as prescribed by your doctor. If you are told to take it twice a day, try to leave a gap of several hours between the two times.
- Most importantly: This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach . That means, take it at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. Do not take it with food. This may reduce the absorption of the medicine into the body.
- Do not suddenly stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you forget to take 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. Do not take two doses at once for any reason.
Special points to consider and side effects
Be aware of these things when taking medication.
- Regular medical checkups: Keep going to clinics and getting blood tests done as your doctor tells you, as this is important to see if this medicine is affecting your liver.
- Fever and Infections: If you have a fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of infection, do not self-medicate. Call your doctor immediately. This medicine may lower your body's ability to fight off illness.
- Smoking: Tell your doctor if you smoke. Smoking may make this medicine less effective. Also, tell your doctor if you are planning to quit smoking.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel a little drowsy or dizzy after taking this medicine. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when getting up and sitting down quickly, especially if you are elderly.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this one can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Watch out for the symptoms below.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue or face, difficulty breathing. |
| Signs of Liver Injury | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, nausea, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue. |
| Signs of Infection | Fever, chills, and sore throat. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Common disorders | Cough, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, general fatigue. |
What if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies. Some of the medicines that may interact with riluzole include:
- Allopurinol
- Birth control pills
- Ciprofloxacin
- Fluvoxamine
- Methoxsalen
- Medications such as sulfasalazine.
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
Take-Home Message
- Riluzole is not a cure for ALS, but it helps control the progression of the disease.
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach, that is, one hour before or two hours after a meal.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking, your habits (smoking, alcohol), and any other medical conditions you may have.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you develop a fever, signs of infection, or signs of liver damage (such as yellowing of the skin/eyes) while taking the medicine.
- Never share your prescribed medications with others. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
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