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

How you take it

One 50mg tablet twice a day, at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after one.

Before your first dose

• A blood test of your liver, because riluzole can affect the liver. Your doctor repeats the test while you take riluzole.
• A check of every medicine you take, because some can raise riluzole levels. Examples are ciprofloxacin, fluvoxamine and birth control pills.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, or ever had a severe allergic reaction to riluzole.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• The FDA lists the Rilutek brand as discontinued and generic riluzole tablets as active products. The label names no special pharmacy for the tablets.
• The liquid form, Tiglutik, comes only from Anovo Specialty Pharmacy, and your insurance may ask for tablets to be tried first.

The first 90 days

1. Before day 1Liver blood test before your first dose
2. Days beforeMedicine review and the right pharmacy
3. Day 1First dose, 50mg twice a day
4. Day 30Monthly check for signs of liver problems, on the dates your doctor sets
5. Day 31, then every 30 daysRefill, when the 60-tablet bottle runs out
6. Day 60Second monthly liver check. Report any fever
7. Day 90Third monthly liver check