Clinical utility of riluzole in patients with motor neurone disease (amytrophic lateral sclerosis)

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 patientu0027s 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 diagnos...