Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND), is a devastating, progressive disease for which there is no cure. This disease affects both upper and lower motor neurones and the patient typically succumbs to respiratory failure within 2 to 4 years. The UK and US regulatory agencies have only endorsed one neuroprotective drug for ALS, riluzole, which has been reported to extend the patient's length of survival by up to 21 months, depending on the study. New drugs and riluzole add-ons have not proven more beneficial than monotherapy with riluzole. This literature review addresses studies on the use of riluzole, updates current literature on the neuroprotectant, highlights National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the use of riluzole for the treatment of MND in the UK and discusses the clinical utility of the drug regarding to multidisciplinary teams, pharmacological management, and adverse events. Optimal use of riluzole is based upon early diagnosis of MND/ALS and offering this medication to patients in the early stage of this fatal disease.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.