ALS Drugs and Drug Reference Sites

DRUGS - DRUG REFERENCE - THE MEDICINE PROGRAM

Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs

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DRUGS

Rilutek
Gabapentin
Myotrophin
Sanofi drug
SR57746A

Vitamins Anitoxidants

Rilutek

Description: Rilutek - [Generic Name: Riluzole] is the first drug to be approved by the FDA (December 1995) for the treatement of ALS. Rilutek became available in January 1996.

Side Effects: Dizziness, drowsiness, indigestion. About 2 - 4% of patients develop significant abnormalities of liver function tests, requiring withdrawel of treatment.

Manufacturer: Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Inc. Homepage

Gabapentin

Description: Gabapentin - [Brand Name: Neurotin] is a FDA approved medication for the treatment of seizures (epilepsy). Gabapentin is thought to decrease the production of glutamate. Glutamate is an excitatory amino acid in the brain. It acts as the major excitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Glutamate, in excessive amounts, is toxic to motor neurons. Studies have shown that ALS patients have high levels of glutamate in their brain as well as a defect in the glutamate transport mechanism. A small number of patients on gabapentin report decreased muscle spasms and/or decreased muscle fasciculations and improved sleep.

Gabapentin has not proved to be of benefit in ALS.

Side Effects: Generally well tolerated. Most common side effects were dizziness, lightheadiness, drowsiness, fatigue and foot swelling.

Manufacturer: Gabapentin is a drug manufactured by Parke-Davis, a subsiderary of the Warner-Lambert Company, for the treatment of epilepsy.

Myotrophin

Description: Myotrophin - [Generic Name: Insulin-like Growth Factor 1(IGF1)]is a drug still in consideration to be FDA approved for the treatment of ALS.

Manufacturer: Cephalon, Inc.

News: The following information was released November 11 1997:

In order to give the FDA the additional time required for more in-depth analysis, the companies have resubmitted their new drug application to market Myotrophin®.

While the regulations concerning such a resubmission now give the FDA six months for more analysis, neither Cephalon, Chiron or the ALS Association know at this time if the FDA will need to take that full amount of time.

In the meantime, the treatment IND (Early Access Program) remains the same. People who are taking the drug will be able to continue and the monthly selection system will remain in place so that new participants can be added. People who have not yet applied to be part of the early Access Program may be recommended by their physician and may call 1-800-829-3054 to make inquiries about the Program.

SR57746A

Description: SR57746A - or "the Sanofi drug" appeares to increase neurotrophic ("nerve-nourishing") effects. Neurotrophic factors improve the survival of motor neurons, the cells affected in ALS, when tested in culture dishes and animal models of nerve damage. Preliminary data on treated patients show the Sanofi drug is promising.Two large multicenter trials of the Sanofi drug are in operation.

Side Effects: Still under study.

Manufacturer: Sanofi Pharmaceuticals (Montpellier, France).

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VITAMINS ANTIOXIDANTS

Generally recommended are:

• Vitamin C, 1000 mg, twice daily
• Vitamin E, 800 units, twice daily
• Vitamin B, 100 units, twice daily
• Creatine, 5 gm, twice daily

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DRUG REFERENCE

• Drug InfoNet
• Healthtouch®
• P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. - is an organization dedicated to providing the information and information services most likely to help promote the informed and appropriate use of medicines by health care professionals and organizations as well as by the people to whom they are prescribed.
• RxList - The Internet Drug Index