Starting Radicava ORS (edaravone)Your first 90 days with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): the steps, the dates and who to call

How you take it

One 5mL dose in the morning on an empty stomach, by mouth or feeding tube, on your dosing days. Wait 1 hour after the dose before eating, though water is fine. The leaflet says to fast 8 hours after a high-fat meal, 4 hours after a low-fat meal and 2 hours after a calorie supplement. If you miss a dose, the instructions say not to take 2 doses the next day.

Before your first dose

• Tell your doctor if you have asthma or have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. Radicava ORS contains a sulfite, which can cause allergic reactions in some people.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
• Your doctor sends a benefits form, and your insurance approves the medicine. Shionogi, the drugmaker, answers insurance and cost questions at 1-844-772-4548.
• A specialty pharmacy calls you to set up delivery to your home.
• If your hands make the syringe hard to use, you may need someone to help measure and give each dose.

The first 90 days

1. Weeks beforeBenefits form and insurance approval
2. Days beforeSpecialty pharmacy call and delivery
3. Day 1First dose, then a dose every morning for 14 days
4. Day 8Open the second bottle once the first is finished
5. Days 15 to 28No medicine for 14 days, from day 15 through day 28
6. Day 29, then every 28 daysNext cycle and a new bottle, with 10 doses in 14 days, then 14 days off
7. Days 43 to 56No medicine for 14 days again
8. Day 90Three months in