User:Mr. Ibrahem/Riluzole

Riluzole, sold under the brand name Rilutek among others, is a medication used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It delays the need for a ventilator or tracheostomy and improves survival by two to three months. It is taken by mouth, either as a tablet or liquid.

Common side effects include weakness and liver problems. Other side effects may include anaphylaxis, interstitial lung disease, and low neutrophils. How it works is unclear, but may be due to a decrease in glutamate in the nervous system.

Riluzole was approved for medical use in the United States in 1995 and Europe in 1996. It is available as a generic medication. In the United Kingdom 4 weeks costs the NHS about £23 as of 2021. This amount in the United States is about 33 USD.