Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a severe neurological disease that affects about one to three people per 100,000 people globally, say experts at the Mayo Clinic. ALS manifestations include trouble swallowing, hand weakness, trouble lifting the toes, spasticity, muscle cramps and leg, feet or ankle weakness. Fortunately, specific ALS drug treatments are available to those who have this disease.
Riluzole
Experts at the Mayo Clinic report that riluzole is the only drug approved under the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration to slow ALS. Specificaly, riluzole is a medication used to slow the progression of ALS, says MedlinePlus. Unfortunately, this is not a cure for ALS. It may reduce the glutamate (a type of chemical messenger) levels in the brain.
MedlinePlus experts report that riluzole's common side effects include a headache, dizziness, fatigue, stomach pain and diarrhea. Riluzole can also cause muscle weakness or aches, fatigue, trouble breathing, a fever and depression. Amitriptyline, ciprofloxacin, omeprazole, rifampin and theophylline may need dosage adjustments when taken with riluzole. Riluzole is a tablet taken two times a day every 12 hours.
Tizanidine
Tizanidine may be used to relieve the spasticity (stiffness) in ALS sufferers. According to MedlinePlus, tizandine is a skeletal muscle relaxant that reduces certain brain processes, so that the muscles relax.
MedlinePlus says tizanidine's side effects include weakness, drowsiness, heartburn, stomach pain and dry mouth. Tizanidine can also cause depression, nervousness, vomiting, back pain, sweating, nausea, visual changes and a slow heartbeat. Tizanidine is a tablet or capsule that is typically taken two to three times a day with or without food.
Tramadol
Tramadol is a medication prescribed for its pain-relieving properties. According to MedlinePlus, tramadol is opiate agonist that changes the body's perception of pain. Common side effects of tramadol include trouble sleeping, weakness, dizziness, muscle tightness, itching, sweating (diaphoresis) and diarrhea or constipation. Tramadol can also cause chills, drowsiness, mood changes, nervousness and agitation. Tramadol's more severe effects include seizures, hallucinations, trouble breathing and mouth, nose, eye or throat sores. Tramadol can be taken in its regular or extended-release tablet form. MedlinePlus says that the regular tablet is taken four to six hours as needed while the extended-release tablet is taken every day.
