How many symptomatic ALS drugs are available?

In specialized ALS centers in Germany, symptomatic medications were analyzed as part of the ALS pharmacy program. The evaluation was carried out via the outpatient partner platform and included the largest study group on ALS pharmacotherapy to date. Almost 100 different medications were identified that are used to alleviate symptoms.

This high number shows that symptomatic pharmacotherapy is very complex and variable. The most commonly used medications are those for treating excessive salivation (sialorrhea), depression (depressive symptoms) and/or uncontrolled laughing and crying (motor disinhibition), spasticity, anxiety, or shortness of breath, as well as fasciculations.