FDA Approved Drug for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

The approval of the intravenous drug edaravone for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by the US Food and Drug Administration brings hope to the 12,000 to 15,000 people suffering from the rare neurological disorder in the United States. The FDA had previously approved the drug called riluzole for the treatment of ALS. Riluzole prevents nerve damage by reducing the level of a chemical called glutamate released by nerves. Riluzole has been found to improve survival in ALS patients but does not reverse the damage already caused by the disease.