About riluzole
Glutamate release inhibitor; neuroprotective medicine
Used for
- Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to modestly slow disease progression.
Usual adult dose
50 mg by mouth twice daily, at least one hour before or two hours after meals.
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Weakness or dizziness
- Abdominal pain
- Raised liver enzymes
Important warnings
- Can cause serious liver injury; liver blood tests are monitored.
- Rarely causes low white blood cell counts or lung inflammation.
- Take consistently away from meals; food can reduce absorption.
Pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only when clearly needed; human safety information is limited.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is generally not recommended during treatment because infant safety is unknown.
Interactions
- Smoking can lower riluzole levels.
- Caffeine can increase riluzole levels.
- Medicines affecting liver enzymes, including theophylline or fluvoxamine, may alter levels.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.