Therapeutic advances: riluzole for the treatment of motor neurone disease.
Amyotrophic laterial sclerosis is a fatal neurogenerative disorder, for which only symptomatic treatment was previously available. Riluzole was recently launched in the U.S.A. and Europe. This is the first drug to produce a modest increase in survival (approximately 3 months) in patients with this disease. Unfortunately, treatment causes a number of side-effects of which asthenia is particularly troublesome. Between 10 and 20 per cent of patients can be expected to withdraw from treatment due to these adverse effects. Data on the real time survival advantage and quality of life that can be expected whilst on treatment are needed to identify the place of riluzole in the management of this distressing disease.
Clark
W
W
Department of Medicines Management, Keele University, U.K.
Kendall
M J
MJ
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001247:Asthenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D019782:Riluzole; D017741:Survivors; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D013844:Thiazoles; D019782:Riluzole