What does symptomatic pharmacotherapy mean?

Symptomatic pharmacotherapy for ALS is used to alleviate the variable and individually differing symptoms caused by the disease. It aims to reduce these symptoms, since a cure (and prevention of symptom onset) is not yet possible. Symptomatic medications are used to alleviate speech disorders, involuntary laughing and crying (motor disinhibition), increased salivation, muscle cramps, spasticity, pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and labored breathing.

The choice and dosage of medications are determined on an individual basis and require regular adjustments by the treating physicians. This adjunctive therapy helps patients better cope with the challenges of ALS and maintain their independence.