Medicines

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Medicines

There is no medicine for cure or halting the disease progression of ALS. But there is one medicine called Riluzole which has showen some beneficial effects. In ALS/MND medicines are prescribed to improve immunity and general condition of the patient specific medicines are given for symptoms like excess saliva drooling, cramps, breathlessness and pain etc. Vitamins supplementation is very important to comeback the disease. It reduces fatigue and improves energy level.

Following medicines are prescribed by doctor’s in ALS. (Medicines should be taken only under the supervision and prescription of a doctor)

Rilutor/Riluzole:

It is a neuroprotective drug. Only riluzole has been approved for treatment of ALS. It delays the onset of ventilator-dependence or trachestomy in selected patients and many increase survival by few months.

Dosage : The standard dose is 50 mg tablets two times a day. Precautions should be taken for low weight individuals. Please consult your doctor and take the medicine on his prescription.

Mechanism of action : It suppress glutamates action, a chemical that has been show to cause nerve damaging in ALS.

Side Effects : Laziness, Nausea, Vomiting and Anemia.

Monitoring : With Riluzole one should monitor liver function test, complete blood count and Serum creatinine level every 6 months.

Availability : The drug is freely available from sunpharma on doctor’s prescription.

Asha ek hope foundation can help the patients to provide a prescription depending on their need of the drug.

Methylcobalamine ( Vitamin B12) : Vitamin B12 plays an important role in nerve function. Therefore high dosage of vitamin B12 are recommended either tablets or injections.

Vitamin E : Vitamin E supplements in ALS as an additive to Riluzole treatment or as adjunctive therapy can show better neuro protective effects. Dosage: 400mg

Vitamin C : Vitamin C has antioxidant effect and can help to increase the immune level. Dosage:500mg

Calcium with Vitamin D : Calcium with Vitamin D is required to prevent secondary complication of osteoporosis as the individual is less exposed to sun because of his activity limitation.

Multivitamins : Multivitamins should be taken as a supplementary nutrition as the food intake is reduced which leads to deprivation of many nutrients.

Coenzyme Q 10 : CoQ10 is a critical component of the electron transport chain of mitochondria. It exhibits antioxidant properties .

Omega 3 fatty acids : They are antioxidant which can be beneficial.

Protein Supplementation : Proteins are required for muscle building. Therefore is ALS protein supplementation by high protein powder is recommended to improve energy level and reduce fatigue.

Symptomatic Management :

Muscle Relaxant for cramps
Anti spastic agents for stiffness or tightness.
Pain killers for joint pains.
Antianxiety drugs for restlessness and panic attacks.
Glycopyrolate for excessive saliva.
Antibiotics for respiratory infections.
Antacids for acidity.