Riluzole for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Around one in 20,000 adults in the UK will develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the commonest variant of motor neurone disease. Riluzole (Rilutek-Rhône-Poulenc Rorer) was launched in the UK in August 1996 as "the first anti-excitotoxic agent proven to extend life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis". We review the clinical data on the effectiveness of riluzole and assess its place in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a condition that is invariably fatal and has a median survival time from symptom onset of about 2.5 years.