Used in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease).BRAND NAME: Rilutek®
Brand Names:
Rilutek
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to riluzole
Uses:
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use and how often.
Take your medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals and at the same time each day.
If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, crush the tablet and mix it with one-half cup (4 oz) of applesauce or pudding, and take it within 15 minutes.
If a dose is missed:
Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at your regular time.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
Storage:
Store your tablets in cool place, away from heat, direct light, or moisture.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using sulfasalazine, methyldopa, allopurinol, theophylline, amitriptyline, rifampin, omeprazole (Prilosec®), tacrine (Cognex®), or medicines called quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, ofloxacin, or norfloxacin.
Warnings:
If you are pregnant talk to your doctor before using this medicine. Do not breastfeed while using this medicine.
Talk with your doctor before using riluzole if you have liver or kidney disease.
You may need to have blood tests done while you are using riluzole. These tests are to make sure the medicine is not causing harmful side effects. Keep all appointments your doctor makes for you.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving or using machinery until you know how the medicine will affect you.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Trouble breathing
Irregular heartbeat
Unexplained fever, chills, or sore throat
Yellowing of skin or eyes
Increase in your ALS symptoms (such as more muscle weakness or stiffness)
