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Drug

Riluzole

Approved · EMA
ClassSodium channel alpha subunit blockerEmerging researchLate-stage developmentSteady momentum
Also known as Exservan, Rilutek, Teglutik, Tiglutik+2 more

Exservan, Rilutek, Teglutik, Tiglutik, Riluzol, Riluzolum.

5
Research papers
11
Active clinical trials
10
Protein targets
2
Regulatory events
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

RiluzolE FOr Preventing Cognitive DysfUnction in Cancer PatientS Receiving Chemotherapy (REFOCUS)

Clinical trial2026-03-03Results expected Q4 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

12-week, placebo-controlled trial of add-on riluzole in the treatment of childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Research2013-12-19Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

Approval: Riluzole Zentiva (EMA)

Regulatory2012-05-07EMA

Open-label riluzole in fragile X syndrome.

Research2010-11-05Brain research

Approval: Rilutek (EMA)

Regulatory1996-06-10EMA

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Riluzole
Aliases & brands
ExservanRilutekTeglutikTiglutikRiluzolRiluzolum
RxNorm CUI
35623
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL744
ATC codes
N07XX02
UNII
7LJ087RS6F
Primary mechanism
Sodium channel alpha subunit blocker
Regulatory jurisdictions
ema

Pharmacology & targets

10 targets

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker
BLOCKERSodium channel alpha subunit blocker

Regulatory timeline

2 events

The complete regulatory record, grouped by authority — approvals, safety advisories and label changes. Each authority shows its most recent events; expand one to read its full history.

Earliest approval
1996-06-10
Latest approval
2012-05-07
Authorities
EMA
Total events
2
emaEuropean Medicines Agency· 2 events
2012-05-07Approval
Approval: Riluzole Zentiva (EMA)
Indication: Riluzole Zentiva is indicated to extend life or the time to mechanical ventilation for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Clinical trials have demonstrated thatShow full indication

Riluzole Zentiva is indicated to extend life or the time to mechanical ventilation for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Clinical trials have demonstrated that Riluzole Zentiva extends survival for patients with ALS. Survival was defined as patients who were alive, not intubated for mechanical ventilation and tracheotomy-free. There is no evidence that Riluzole Zentiva exerts a therapeutic effect on motor function, lung function, fasciculations, muscle strength and motor symptoms. Riluzole Zentiva has not been shown to be effective in the late stages of ALS. Safety and efficacy of Riluzole Zentiva has only been studied in ALS. Therefore, Riluzole Zentiva should not be used in patients with any other form of motor-neurone disease.

Evidence ↗
1996-06-10Approval
Approval: Rilutek (EMA)
Indication: Rilutek is indicated to extend life or the time to mechanical ventilation for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Clinical trials have demonstrated that RilutekShow full indication

Rilutek is indicated to extend life or the time to mechanical ventilation for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Clinical trials have demonstrated that Rilutek extends survival for patients with ALS. Survival was defined as patients who were alive, not intubated for mechanical ventilation and tracheotomy-free. There is no evidence that Rilutek exerts a therapeutic effect on motor function, lung function, fasciculations, muscle strength and motor symptoms. Rilutek has not been shown to be effective in the late stages of ALS. Safety and efficacy of Rilutek has only been studied in ALS. Therefore, Rilutek should not be used in patients with any other form of motor-neurone disease.

Evidence ↗

Contains information from the European Medicines Agency (European Medicines Agency), © EMA, reused under CC BY 4.0.

Clinical trials

68 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
68
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2024
11
Active studies
10
Recruiting
27
Late-stage (III+)
40
Completed
17
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 68
Early Phase 14Phase 19Phase 1 / 23Phase 225Phase 2 / 39Phase 38Phase 46Phase N / A4

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Research activity

5 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20102021
Most influential

Rapid enhancement of glutamatergic neurotransmission in bipolar depression following treatment with riluzole.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2010 · 108 cites

12-week, placebo-controlled trial of add-on riluzole in the treatment of childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2014 · 50 cites

Open-label riluzole in fragile X syndrome.

Brain research · 2011 · 45 cites
Recent papers

12-week, placebo-controlled trial of add-on riluzole in the treatment of childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2014 · 50 cites

Open-label riluzole in fragile X syndrome.

Brain research · 2011 · 45 cites

Rapid enhancement of glutamatergic neurotransmission in bipolar depression following treatment with riluzole.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2010 · 108 cites
Major research themes1
Melanoma1
Journals, researchers & institutions
Top journals
  • Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology2
  • Brain : a journal of neurology1
  • Brain research1
  • Pigment cell & melanoma research1
Leading researchers
  • Andrews RD1
  • Brennan BP1
  • Chen S1
  • Cohen BM1
  • David Mozley P1
  • Dowd K1
  • Dudek L1
  • Erickson CA1
Leading institutions
free-text, unnormalised
  • Alzheimer's Disease Research Center1
  • Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation1
  • Biological Psychiatry Laboratory1
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital1
  • Friedman Brain Institute1
  • Indiana University School of Medicine1
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
  • Europe PMC — research literature
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials
  • Regulatory event sources are credited in the Regulatory Timeline above.