Rilutek

Rilutek is a prescription medication used to slow the progress of Lou Gehrig's disease, known medically as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the ability of a person to move certain muscles. Rilutek is not a cure, but may delay the need for a breathing tube (tracheostomy).

Rilutek belongs to a group of drugs called NMDA receptor antagonists. It works by decreasing glutamate, a natural substance in the body that can damage nerve cells. 

This medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken twice a day, every 12 hours, on an empty stomach.

Common side effects of Rilutek are weakness, nausea, and headache.

Rilutek is a prescription medication used to slow the progress of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take Rilutek exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose for Rilutek is 50 mg every 12 hours. No increased benefit can be expected from higher daily doses, but adverse events are increased.

• You should not take Rilutek if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before and during your treatment. Call your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or difficulty in breathing while taking Rilutek.
• Rilutek may cause you to feel dizzy, light-headed, or sleepy. If you experience any of these, you should NOT drive a vehicle or use machinery.
• If you miss or skip a dose of Rilutek, do not take any extra tablets to make up for those you missed, but take your prescribed dose at the next regularly scheduled time.
• When taking Rilutek, avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol; alcohol may contribute to compromising liver function and may be associated with an increased risk of liver problems.

The most common side effects of Rilutek that occurred during medical studies were weakness, nausea, lung function decrease (not associated with a reduction in vital capacity), headache, nasal symptoms, muscle tightness, abdominal pain, and high blood pressure. If any side effects become troublesome, contact your doctor.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• caffeine-containing products
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• ofloxacin (Floxin)
• omeprazole (Prilosec)
• rifampin (Rifadin)
• theophylline (Theo-Dur)
• vitamins

This is not a complete list of Rilutek drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Rilutek will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Rilutek is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Avoid coffee, tea, cola, or other products that contain caffeine. Caffeine may cause too much riluzole to build up in your body.

When taking riluzole, avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol; alcohol may contribute to compromising liver function and may be associated with an increased risk of liver problems.

Tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this drug.

Riluzole tablets should be taken at least an hour before, or two hours after meals.

Riluzole does not cure ALS. It slows the progression of ALS. Continue taking riluzole even if you feel well.