Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disorder that impacts motor neurons, which make muscle movement possible. Most people with ALS have the sporadic form of the condition, which means that it occurred spontaneously and without any family history.
While ALS cannot be cured, medication can help. The following medications can be used to control the progression of ALS symptoms and vastly improve quality of life in those with the condition.
ALS medications can work in different ways. A drug called edaravone has strong antioxidant properties that help reduce the oxidative stress that is thought to contribute to neurological disorders like ALS. However, medical researchers are not entirely sure why the medication is successful at treating the condition.
There’s also riluzole, which is a medication that stops the body from releasing glutamate. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that stimulates nerve cells, but this process can cause further damage to the nerves in people with ALS. Taking riluzole is said to increase life expectancy by approximately three months.
The above medications can have a direct impact on ALS, but other drugs can be used to treat additional medical effects linked to the condition. These effects may include:
Doctors can prescribe sleep aids to address insomnia, while prescription pain killers can help manage discomfort. Antidepressants can be used to treat mental health symptoms, and medications like scopolamine can prevent drooling and other effects of excessive saliva.