Rilutek (riluzole) is a medication used to manage patients suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, medically known as amylotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a crippling disease that attacks your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). According to MedlinePlus, this medication is used to slow the progression of ALS. Typically, you must take 50mg of Rilutek every 12 hours, says the National Library of Medicine.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, Rilutek's common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased muscle tightness (spasticity), weakness and fatigue. MedlinePlus says that Rilutek can also cause dizziness, stomach pain, indigestion, muscle weakness, a headache and a poor appetite. These side effects are pretty routine and should not cause further harm. However, tell your physician when these symptoms last for three or more days.
Harmful Side Effects
MedlinePlus says that Rilutek can cause difficulty breathing, depression and fever. It can also cause liver problems, pneumonia, coughing, convulsions, chills and mouth sores, says Drugs.com. Rilutek can cause hematuria (bloody urine), facial, eyelid, lip, tongue or throat swelling and lack of coordination. Other serious side effects include trouble swallowing, yellowing of your skin or eyes, thirstiness, difficulty urinating, and high blood pressure. The National Library of Medicine says that Rilutek can cause neutropenia (lowered white blood cell counts) and this can make you extremely susceptible to major and even minor infections such as the common cold. Call your doctor when you start to display any of these symptoms.
Other Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that Rilutek can cause hostility, tremors, strange thoughts, an enlarged stomach, euphoria, trouble walking and hiccups. It can cause fainting, low blood pressure, brain bleeds, menstrual irregularities, anemia, a heart attack and shock (condition in which your body fails to provide enough blood to your organs).
Miscellaneous Concerns
Avoid Rilutek if you are hypersensitive to its ingredients. You may experience hives, trouble breathing and swelling all of your facial features.
It is not clear whether Rilutek can pass into breast milk or affect your baby during pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Drugs.com says that you should inform your doctor whether you are taking such medications as sulfasalazine, tacrine or theophyline. These medications can interact with Rilutek and cause the aforementioned effects.
Inform your doctor whether you suffer from liver or kidney disease, as Rilutek's effectiveness may decline and may result in the aforementioned side effects.
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