RILUZOLE: 1,437 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile
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Drug Class: Benzothiazole [EPC] · Route: ORAL · Manufacturer: EDW PHARMA · FDA Application: 020599 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available
Patent Expires: Mar 12, 2029 · First Report: 19930720 · Latest Report: 20250904
What Are the Most Common RILUZOLE Side Effects?
All RILUZOLE Side Effects by Frequency
| Side Effect | Reports | % of Total | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death | 238 | 16.6% | 238 | 6 |
| Nausea | 111 | 7.7% | 7 | 29 |
| Diarrhoea | 94 | 6.5% | 0 | 10 |
| Dizziness | 60 | 4.2% | 0 | 5 |
| Drug ineffective | 58 | 4.0% | 9 | 21 |
| Disease progression | 57 | 4.0% | 21 | 9 |
| Fatigue | 56 | 3.9% | 1 | 10 |
| Off label use | 52 | 3.6% | 3 | 14 |
| Abdominal discomfort | 50 | 3.5% | 2 | 2 |
| Hypoaesthesia oral | 50 | 3.5% | 0 | 1 |
| Pancreatitis acute | 43 | 3.0% | 4 | 31 |
| Asthenia | 42 | 2.9% | 4 | 8 |
| Abdominal pain upper | 40 | 2.8% | 0 | 8 |
| Dyspnoea | 38 | 2.6% | 5 | 22 |
| Hepatic enzyme increased | 38 | 2.6% | 4 | 6 |
| Vomiting | 34 | 2.4% | 5 | 15 |
| Interstitial lung disease | 33 | 2.3% | 1 | 10 |
| Decreased appetite | 29 | 2.0% | 1 | 8 |
| Headache | 29 | 2.0% | 0 | 7 |
| Condition aggravated | 28 | 2.0% | 5 | 9 |
Who Reports RILUZOLE Side Effects? Age & Gender Data
Gender: 47.5% female, 52.5% male. Average age: 63.5 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →
Is RILUZOLE Getting Safer? Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| 2015 | 19 | 8 | 6 |
| 2016 | 19 | 3 | 9 |
| 2017 | 22 | 7 | 9 |
| 2018 | 22 | 3 | 6 |
| 2019 | 67 | 21 | 9 |
| 2020 | 34 | 9 | 7 |
| 2021 | 76 | 11 | 15 |
| 2022 | 77 | 11 | 22 |
| 2023 | 64 | 11 | 22 |
| 2024 | 47 | 7 | 15 |
| 2025 | 18 | 2 | 5 |
What Is RILUZOLE Used For?
| Indication | Reports |
|---|---|
| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | 787 |
| Product used for unknown indication | 316 |
| Motor neurone disease | 44 |
| Hereditary ataxia | 12 |
| Obsessive-compulsive disorder | 6 |
RILUZOLE vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?
Official FDA Label for RILUZOLE
Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.
Drug Description
Riluzole is a member of the benzothiazole class. The chemical designation for riluzole is 2-amino-6-(trifluoromethoxy)benzothiazole. Its molecular formula is C 8 H 5 F 3 N 2 OS, and its molecular weight is 234.2. The chemical structure is: Riluzole is a white to slightly yellow powder that is freely soluble in acetonitrile, in alcohol, in methylene chloride, very slightly soluble in hexane and water.
Riluzole
Tablets, USP is available as a white to off-white coloured, capsule shaped film coated tablet, debossed with “RIL” on one side and “50” on other side. Each film-coated tablet for oral use contains 50 mg of riluzole and the following inactive ingredients: Core: dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, USP; croscarmellose sodium, USP/NF; hypromellose, USP; microcrystalline cellulose, USP/NF; magnesium stearate, USP/NF; colloidal silicon dioxide, USP/NF. Film coating: Opadry Y-1-7000H White (hypromellose, USP; titanium dioxide, USP; polyethylene glycol 400, NF) riluzole-st
FDA Approved Uses (Indications)
AND USAGE Riluzole tablets are indicated for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Riluzole tablets are indicated for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended dosage: 50 mg (10 mL), twice daily, taken orally or via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes (PEG-tubes), every 12 hours ( 2.1 ) Measure serum aminotransferases before and during treatment ( 2.2 , 5.1 ) Take at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal ( 2.3 )
2.1 Dosage Information The recommended dosage for TIGLUTIK is 50 mg (10 mL) taken orally or via Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tubes (PEG-tubes) twice daily, every 12 hours. TIGLUTIK should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]</span>.
2.2 Monitoring to Assess Safety Measure serum aminotransferases before and during treatment with TIGLUTIK <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]</span>.
2.3 Important Administration Instructions Gently shake the TIGLUTIK bottle for at least 30 seconds before administration.Gently shake the TIGLUTIK bottle for at least 30 seconds before administration. TIGLUTIK can be administered by mouth or via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes (PEG-tubes). Both silicone and polyurethane PEG tubes can be used. See the Instructions for Use for further administration details.See the Instructions for Use for further administration details.
Contraindications
Riluzole tablets is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to riluzole or to any of its components (anaphylaxis has occurred) [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to riluzole tablets or to any of its components ( 4 )
Known Adverse Reactions
REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Hepatic Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]
Interstitial Lung
Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 5% and greater than placebo) were oral hypoesthesia, asthenia, nausea, decreased lung function, hypertension, and abdominal pain ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ITF Pharma Inc. at 1-800-664-1490 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Adverse
Reactions in Controlled Clinical Trials of Riluzole Tablets In the placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with ALS (Study 1 and 2), a total of 313 patients received riluzole 50 mg twice daily [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. The most common adverse reactions in riluzole-treated patients (in at least 5% of patients and more frequently than on placebo) were asthenia, nausea, decreased lung function, hypertension, and abdominal pain. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation in the riluzole group were nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, and elevated ALT. There was no difference in the rate of adverse reactions leading to discontinuation between females and males. However, the incidence of dizziness was higher in females (11%) than in males (4%). The adverse reaction profile was similar in older and younger patients. There are insufficient data to assess racial differences in the adverse reaction profile.
Table
1 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of riluzole-treated patients (50 mg twice daily) in pooled Study 1 and 2, and at a higher rate than on placebo.
Table
1.
Adverse
Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials (Studies 1 and 2) in Patients with ALS Adverse Reaction Riluzole Tablets 50 mg twice daily (N=313) % Placebo (N=320) % Asthenia 19 12 Nausea 16 11 Decreased lung function 10 9 Hypertension 5 4 Abdominal pain 5 4 Vomiting 4 2 Arthralgia 4 3 Dizziness 4 3 Dry mouth 4 3 Insomnia 4 3 Pruritus 4 3 Tachycardia 3 1 Flatulence 3 2 Increased cough 3 2 Peripheral edema 3 2 Urinary Tract Infection 3 2 Circumoral paresthesia 2 0 Somnolence 2 1 Vertigo 2 1 Eczema 2 1 Additional Adverse Reactions with TIGLUTIK In an open-label pharmacokinetic study in healthy subjects (n=36), oral hypoesthesia was observed in 29% of subjects taking TIGLUTIK, compared to 6% in patients taking riluzole tablets, under fasting conditions.
6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of riluzole. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Acute hepatitis and icteric toxic hepatitis <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]</span> Renal tubular impairment Pancreatitis
Warnings
AND PRECAUTIONS Hepatic injury: Use of TIGLUTIK is not recommended in patients with baseline elevations of serum aminotransferases greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal; discontinue TIGLUTIK if there is evidence of liver dysfunction ( 5.1 ) Neutropenia: Advise patients to report any febrile illness ( 5.2 ) Interstitial lung disease: Discontinue TIGLUTIK if interstitial lung disease develops ( 5.3 )
5.1 Hepatic Injury TIGLUTIK can cause liver injury. Cases of drug-induced liver injury, some of which were fatal, have been reported in patients taking riluzole. Asymptomatic elevations of hepatic transaminases have also been reported, and in some patients have recurred upon re-challenge with riluzole. In clinical studies, the incidence of elevations in hepatic transaminases was greater in riluzole-treated patients than placebo-treated patients. The incidence of elevations of ALT above 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) was 2% in riluzole-treated patients. Maximum increases in ALT occurred within 3 months after starting riluzole.
About
50% and 8% of riluzole-treated patients in pooled controlled efficacy studies (Studies 1 and 2) had at least one elevated ALT level above ULN and above 3 times ULN, respectively [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hepatic injury, every month for the first 3 months of treatment, and periodically thereafter. The use of TIGLUTIK is not recommended if patients develop hepatic transaminases levels greater than 5 times the ULN. Discontinue TIGLUTIK if there is evidence of liver dysfunction (e.g., elevated bilirubin). Concomitant use with other hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk for hepatotoxicity [see Drug Interactions (7.3) ] .
5.2 Neutropenia TIGLUTIK can cause neutropenia. Cases of severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count less than 500 per mm 3 ) within the first 2 months of riluzole treatment have been reported. Advise patients to report febrile illnesses.
5.3 Interstitial Lung Disease TIGLUTIK can cause interstitial lung disease, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Discontinue TIGLUTIK immediately if interstitial lung disease develops.
Drug Interactions
INTERACTIONS · Strong to moderate CYP1A2 inhibitors: Coadministration may increase riluzole -associated adverse reactions ( 7.1 ) · Strong to moderate CYP1A2 inducers: Coadministration may result in decreased efficacy ( 7.2 ) · Hepatotoxic drugs: Riluzole -treated patients that take other hepatotoxic drugs may be at increased risk for hepatotoxicity ( 7.3 )