What are the FDA Approved Treatments

20 Jan
Jan , 20 , 2019 Prem Puthur

Ibudilast

In late 2018, it was found that a drug called Ibudilast used for Asthma treatment in Japan showed very positive results for ALS patients. MGH Boston started phase 3 trial with selected patients in December 2018 and will publish results sometime later this year 2019. In the mean time FDA has already approved this drug on a fast track approval on April 17, 2019. Although there is no real cure for ALS, So far FDA had approved 3 drugs, labelled as treatment for ALS, namely Riluzole(Rilutek), Radicut(Edaravone) and Ibudilast(Ketas).

If you want to get this medicine, it is available in Japan,  and can also be ordered through the web.  One such location a friend of mine was able to order is

https://www.mimaki-family-japan.com/item/list?keyword_pc=ibudilast&x=0&y=0

 

In India to order you will need a Credit Card that allows international purchases.  In India, it is preferable to have a import license which is  Form 12A which can be obtained from the site

https://cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/homepage

To obtain this license you will need to attach a doctor’s prescription. Indicate while ordering the import license that it is for personal use and this life saving medication is not available in India

 

 

 

Rilutek

This medication is used to treat a certain type of nerve disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Riluzole helps to slow down the worsening of this disease and prolong survival. However, it is not a cure for ALS, and it does not reverse nerve damage or muscle weakness. Riluzole is thought to work by protecting the nerves in the brain and spinal cord from too much of a natural substance called glutamate that may be part of the cause of nerve damage.

Radicut IVY Treatment

Radicava or Radicut (Ederavone) is an FDA approved treatment option for ALS.

Edaravone is available in india. It was promoted as a neuroprotective agent for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Several generics are available. Edaravone (radicut) is also marketed in India by Edinburgh Pharmaceuticals and Sun Pharma by the brand name Arone.

The medication is Aravon and two of these bottles are mixed with 1 bottle of the NS solution for the I.V. per day. (20 vials per month). Aravon is made by Sun Pharma in India.
Edaravone cost is approximately Rs. 450 per vial