Approved Treatments for ALS

Qalsody (tofersen) is an injection therapy conditionally approved in the U.S. for the treatment of ALS associated with mutations in the SOD1 gene (SOD1-ALS). The therapy has been shown in clinical trials to significantly slow disease progression and extend survival, but the approval was based on biomarker data that the regulatory agency said is reasonably likely to predict a clinical benefit in patients.

Radicava (edaravone) is the first treatment for ALS that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved in more than 20 years. The therapy is designed to slow the decline of physical function in people with ALS. The therapy also has been approved in Canada, where it is available under a number of different medication plans.

Riluzole is an oral therapy approved to treat people with ALS. The oral tablets, formerly marketed as Rilutek, are now available only as a generic medication. Clinical studies have shown that riluzole can modestly extend survival and delay the need for ventilatory support.

Tiglutik (riluzole oral suspension) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2018. It is a liquid oral formulation of riluzole. Because ALS patients have difficulties swallowing, the administration of tablets can be difficult. Tiglutik is administered with an oral dosing syringe, which is more comfortable for patients.

There are also a number of therapies available that can help to treat the symptoms of ALS. As the disease can progress differently in each individual patient, the symptomatic therapies a patient is prescribed should be tailored to their needs. These therapies can help treat muscle symptoms, excessive saliva production, pseudobulbar affect, among a range of other issues. Learn more about some of these therapies at the links below.