How Radicut Compares to Other ALS Medications
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The Current Treatment Landscape
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and eventually respiratory failure. The average life expectancy is typically 2-5 years after diagnosis.1,2 Despite decades of research, most experimental drugs that showed promise in early ALS studies have not translated into proven benefits in patients, leaving only limited treatment options available today. With no curative therapies available, treatment focuses on delaying disease progression and prolonging survival.1
Recently, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Radicut – a therapy that offers meaningful benefits within this otherwise limited treatment landscape.1
Radicut: A New Option for ALS
Radicut (also known as Radicava) is one of the few approved therapies for ALS, developed to slow functional decline and offer patients and caregivers new hope in managing the disease.2,3 Its active ingredient, edaravone, works by targeting oxidative stress – a process that damages motor neurons and contributes to disease progression.1
How Radicut Works
Radicut is thought to help by protecting the remaining healthy motor neurons from oxidative damage. In ALS, injured motor neuron membranes can trigger the production of harmful free radicals. By neutralizing these toxic molecules, Radicut helps prevent further damage to healthy motor neurons and preserve their function. While not a cure, it has been shown to slow disease progression, particularly in patients at earlier stages.1,3
How Radicut Helps: Clinical Evidence
Radicut’s approval was based on clinical trials conducted in Japan. Patients receiving this drug experienced a 33% slower decline in their functional abilities – measured by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised – over 24 weeks compared with those on placebo.4
Radicut is generally well tolerated, making it a practical option for many patients when started early in the disease course.3
Neuroprotective Benefits and Patient Outcomes
Radicut offers the following benefits:
- Helps slow the loss of independence in daily activities by preserving motor functions such as walking and climbing stairs, enabling patients to maintain mobility longer5
- Can delay the need for ventilatory support, as Radicut has been shown to reduce the risk of tracheostomy and permanent assisted ventilation6
- Provides added benefits when used with riluzole (another FDA-approved drug for ALS), with studies showing slower disease progression and better functional outcomes7
Radicut and Riluzole: Treatment Options for ALS
For years, riluzole was the only available treatment for ALS, offering modest survival benefits. The arrival of Radicut marked a step forward, as it helps slow the loss of physical function, particularly in patients with early-stage disease.1,3
| Mechanism of Action | May reduce glutamate-related nerve damage through anti-excitotoxic mechanisms | May protect against oxidative stress-related nerve damage through free radical scavenging |
| Effect | Increases patient survival | Slows disease progression |
| Dosage | Oral tablet (50 mg every 12 h) | Oral suspension or IV infusion |
Research into newer neuroprotective and disease-modifying drugs is ongoing, but none are yet widely approved for routine use.1
Dosage, Administration and Monitoring
Forms Available:
Radicut is available in two forms: an intravenous (IV) infusion and an oral suspension.4
- IV Dosing:
The IV form is given as a 60 mg infusion over 60 minutes, typically administered in a clinical setting.4
- Oral Dosing:
The oral suspension is taken as 105 mg (5 mL) once daily in the morning after overnight fasting.4
Do not eat or drink anything4
- 8 hours before each dose if you eat a high-fat meal
- 4 hours before each dose if you eat a low-fat meal
- 2 hours before each dose if you take a calorie supplement
Wait at least 1 hour after taking your medicine before eating or drinking anything except water.4
Before opening the bottle, invert and shake it vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Only use bottle adapter and the reusable 5 mL oral syringe provided with the bottle for dosing; household teaspoons should not be used. Store the bottle upright at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), protected from light. 4
Treatment Cycles4:
- First cycle: daily dosing for 14 days, followed by 14 days off
- Maintenance cycles: dosing for 10 out of 14 days, followed by 14 days off
Monitoring:
Because treatment responses can vary, ongoing follow-up with your healthcare provider is important throughout treatment.4
Side Effects
Radicut is generally well tolerated,2 but some patients may experience side effects. Common effects include headache, bruising or unsteady walking.4
In rarer cases, serious allergic reactions can occur, such as4
- Hives and itching
- Swelling of the lips, tongue and face
- Breathing issues and wheezing
- Dizziness and fainting
Patients sensitive to sodium bisulphite – an ingredient in Radicut – may experience severe reactions, including asthma attacks or anaphylaxis. If any of these occur, seek urgent medical care immediately.4
Accessing Radicut in India Under the Named Patient Program
Radicut is not yet widely marketed in India. However, patients can receive it through the Named Patient Program (NPP) – a special pathway that allows doctors to obtain medicines that are approved elsewhere but not commercially available in the country.8
Under the NPP, your treating neurologist can request Radicut on your behalf if standard treatment options are limited or insufficient. The process typically involves medical documentation and formal applications, which are submitted to the relevant authorities or authorized distributors. Once the request is approved, the drug is imported on a case-by-case basis and delivered to your hospital or clinic.
For people with ALS and their families, managing this process can feel complex and overwhelming – particularly when time is critical. This is where Rx4u can make a difference. By helping with paperwork, coordinating with healthcare providers, and facilitating the import of Radicut, Rx4u ensures that access to this important therapy becomes less daunting and far more achievable.
Final Takeaway
- Radicut (edaravone) is one of the few therapies approved for ALS.
- It helps slow the progression of the disease and maintain daily functioning.
- The medicine is available in both intravenous infusion and oral suspension forms.
- In India, patients can access Radicut through the Named Patient Program with the support of Rx4u.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Radicut a cure for ALS?
No. Radicut slows disease progression but does not cure ALS.1
2. Can I stop other ALS medications once I start Radicut?
No. Radicut is used along with standard ALS treatments, not as a replacement. Do not stop other medicines/therapies unless your doctor advises it.2
3. Can I switch from IV infusion to the oral form?
Yes. With your doctor’s approval, you can switch from IV Radicut to the oral suspension without changing the dosing schedule. You will need to carefully follow the food-related instructions for the oral form.4
4. What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a scheduled dose, do not take 2 doses the next day to make up for a missed dose. Consult your doctor to help adjust your schedule if needed.4
Note:
The information provided is for education purpose only and is subjected to prescribing information of the drug and the guidance of your treating physician. Always consult your health care provider before making any medical decision for starting your treatment.
Disclaimer:
Rx4U procures prescribed medicines directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors. It does not claim ownership of any trademarks and complies with the provisions of the Trademark Act, 1999, particularly Sections 30 and 30(1) concerning ‘Fair Use’. It solely facilitates access to new launches through named patient import.
References:
1. Jaiswal MK. Riluzole and edaravone: A tale of two amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drugs. Med Res Rev. 2019;39(2):733-748. doi:10.1002/med.21528
2. Brotman RG, Moreno-Escobar MC, Joseph J, et al. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Updated February 12, 2024. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556151
3. Yoshino H. Edaravone for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother. 2019;19(3):185-193. doi:10.1080/14737175.2019.1581610
4. Prescribing information. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.; 2022. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215446s000lbl.pdf
5. Brooks BR, Pioro EP, Katz J, et al. Slowing the loss of physical function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with edaravone: post hoc analysis of ALSFRS-R item scores in pivotal study MCI186-19. Muscle Nerve. 2022;65(2):180-186. doi:10.1002/mus.27467
6. Brooks BR, Pioro EP, Sakata T, Takahashi F, Hagan M, Apple S. The effects of intervention with intravenous edaravone in Study 19 on hospitalization, tracheostomy, ventilation, and death in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve. 2023;68(4):397-403. doi:10.1002/mus.27946
7. Samadhiya S, Sardana V, Bhushan B, Maheshwari D, Goyal R, Pankaj. Assessment of therapeutic response of edaravone and riluzole combination therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2022;25(4):692-697. doi:10.4103/aian.aian_1083_21
8. Patil S. Early access programs: Benefits, challenges, and key considerations for successful implementation. Perspect Clin Res. 2016;7(1):4-8. doi:10.4103/2229-3485.173779
