Rilutek

Rilutek is used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Rilutek is not a cure for ALS, but it may delay the progression of the disease and prolong your life.

Rilutek may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take Rilutek on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Rilutek may also be given through a PEG feeding tube.

Read and follow all Instructions for Use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

You will need frequent medical tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the liquid medicine upright and do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 15 days.

Use only as directed. Inform your doctor if you are taking other medicines, have other medical conditions, or have allergies.

You should not use Rilutek if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease.

Rilutek may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using Rilutek.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Rilutek may cause serious side effects. Stop using Rilutek and call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• sudden chest pain, wheezing, or feeling short of breath;
• dry cough or cough with mucus;
• low white blood cell counts—fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat; or
• liver problems—nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Side effects may be more likely in people of Japanese descent.

Common side effects of Rilutek may include:

• increased blood pressure;
• numbness or tingling around your mouth;
• weakness;
• dizziness;
• stomach pain, nausea; or
• breathing problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, coma, tremors, or blue lips or fingers.

Avoid smoking. Smoking cigarettes may make Rilutek less effective.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can change how much of other drugs is in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Rilutek can harm your liver, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, birth control, high cholesterol, seizures, pain, or arthritis (including Advil).

Other drugs may affect Rilutek, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

• What is the difference between Rilutek, Tiglutik and Exservan?