Type of medicine: neuroprotective
Generic and brand names: riluzole, oral; Rilutek
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This medicine is not a cure, but it slows the progression of the disease.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you use tobacco products. Nicotine may change the way this drug works.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine every 12 hours at the same time each day. Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Food, especially charcoal-broiled food and high-fat food, can reduce the effectiveness of this medicine. Also, do not drink or eat a lot of caffeine-containing products such as coffee, tea, cola or chocolate while taking this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: trouble breathing, confusion, coma.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and know how this medicine will affect you.
This medicine can affect your body's ability to fight infection. If you have any illness, especially one with a fever, call your healthcare provider.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, sore throat, cough, fast or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, yellowing of skin or eyes.
Other: Weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, tingling around your mouth and lips, mild stomach pain, runny nose, agitation.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
