Tag: Riluzole

According to a 2024 analysis, the average annual cost of care for an individual living with ALS can increase significantly as the disease progresses, with costs climbing over $120,000 in the late stages. This raises a critical question for many patients and families: **Are ALS medications expensive?** For many of the newer, specialized treatments, the answer is a resounding yes.

Riluzole is the active ingredient in several FDA-approved medications for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which can sometimes lead to confusion about its different names. To address the question of **what is another name for riluzole?**, it is important to understand that the drug is sold under a few distinct brand names and forms, including tablets, a liquid suspension, and an oral film. These different formulations were developed to meet the varying needs of patients, especially those who experience swallowing difficulties as the disease progresses.

Riluzole was the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1995 [1.8.2]. While it remains a cornerstone of ALS therapy, the question arises: **is riluzole only used for ALS**, or does its unique mechanism hold promise for other conditions?

As the only FDA-approved medication demonstrated to modestly prolong survival in ALS patients, riluzole works by targeting the complex glutamatergic system to block glutamate release and prevent neurotoxicity. Its multifaceted mechanism provides a neuroprotective effect that helps to manage conditions linked to excessive glutamate signaling.

Originally developed as a novel glutamate modulator, troriluzole has seen varied results across different clinical trials. This article specifically addresses the question: **how effective is troriluzole?** by examining its performance in studies for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and other neurological conditions.

Riluzole was the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 1995. However, a newer medication, troriluzole, was developed as an optimized prodrug of riluzole, aiming to improve its pharmacokinetic properties and side effect profile.

Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the human body, but its dysregulation is linked to numerous neurodegenerative diseases [1.2.1]. So, what is the mechanism of action of troriluzole? This third-generation prodrug primarily works by modulating and normalizing synaptic glutamate levels [1.3.1, 1.2.2].

While there is currently no single cure or FDA-approved treatment for the most common forms of cerebellar ataxia, particularly hereditary types, there are medications and therapies available to manage symptoms. The primary goal of treatment is to improve a patient's quality of life by addressing the specific symptoms and underlying cause where possible.

Every year, approximately 5,000 people in the U.S. receive a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. When faced with this news, many want to know, 'What is the best drug for ALS?' The answer is not a single drug, but a personalized treatment plan combining multiple medications and supportive therapies.

According to landmark clinical trials, Riluzole was associated with a statistically significant prolongation of survival for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This makes it the only widely available drug that prolongs survival in patients with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease.