Riluzole in the treatment of ALS

September 11, 2003

OTTAWA — Riluzole, the only drug approved in Canada for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has the potential to reduce serious morbidity in some ALS patients but may result in drug intolerance, a technology report released today by the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment has concluded.

ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that results in death within three to five years of the onset of symptoms in the majority of cases. There is no known cure. Pharmacotherapy may be used to relieve the symptoms of ALS, but riluzole (RilutekÔ) is the only drug approved for treatment.

The objective of the CCOHTA report was to assess the potential benefits and harms of using riluzole to treat patients with ALS. A systematic review examined outcomes related to mortality, morbidity and quality of life. Four randomized control trials comparing riluzole to placebo are reviewed in the report.

The evidence suggests that riluzole could reduce serious morbidity. However, there is also evidence suggesting that 5% of patients would need to withdraw from treatment due to an adverse event. There was no information in these trials to describe the impact of riluzole on the quality of life for patients with ALS.

The full report is available on-line at www.ccohta.ca.

CCOHTA is an independent not-for-profit health research organization funded by the Canadian federal, provincial and territorial governments. CCOHTA provides unbiased, reliable information about health technology. CCOHTA also manages a common review process for new drugs submitted for funding by participating federal, provincial and territorial drug benefit programs..

For more information contact: Kirk Fergusson, Communications, Director