Riluzole

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Rilutek

Pharmacological Mechanism

Glutamate release inhibitor — blocks voltage-gated Na+ channels presynaptically + reduces glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. First FDA-approved drug for ALS; modest survival benefit (~3 months). CYP1A2 substrate.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 12h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 100mg (Range: 50 - 100 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• digestive