Assistive Devices/Communication Aids

The companies listed below produce communication aids for people with ALS and other disabilities. These include various types of assistive technology for speech, electronic voice systems, eye communication, typing machines, and other interactive tools.

Speech & Voice

Communication Independence for the Neurologically Impaired (CINI) www.cini.org
E-triloquist www.etriloquist.com
Professional Geeks www.ProfessionalGeeks.com
Gus Communications www.gusinc.com

Eye Communication

LC Technologies, Inc. www.lctinc.com
EyeTech Digital Systems www.eyetechds.com

Typing Machine

Zygo Industries www.zygo-usa.com

Other Assistive Technologies

Rehab Tool, LLC www.rehabtool.com
AT&T National Special Needs Center
2001 Route 46
Parisppany, NJ 07054-1315
Phone: (800) 233-1222
TDD: (800) 833-3232
Crestwood Communication Aids, Inc.
P.O. Box 090107
Milwaukee, WI 53209-0107
Phone: (414) 352-5678
Fax: (414) 352-5679
www.communicationaids.com

Interactive Tools

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 600
Landover, MD 20785
Phone: (800) 346-2742 or (301) 459-5900 (local)
TTY: (301) 459-5984
www.naric.com
naricinfo@heitechservices.com

NARIC provides interactive information for individuals coping with disability. Its information specialists are available to answer questions and provide ALS patients with "custom bibliographies" that list articles, books, and relevant literature suited to their specific needs. Articles are usually nontechnical in nature—focusing on quality-of-life issues, work challenges, recreation, and family life—and are selected from NARIC's large database of more than 200 journals and magazines.

NARIC also provides information and referral. Callers are put in touch with local support groups and gain practical information on living and traveling with a disability. A provided Self-Help Source Book lists organizations that can assist with disability-related challenges.

One specialized service offered by NARIC is ABLEDATA, a database of more than 22,000 products for people with disabilities. ABLEDATA can be utilized either over the phone with the assistance of an information specialist (see telephone numbers above) or via personal computer.

Important Treatment Considerations

Evaluate serum ALT levels every month during the first 3 months of treatment, and every 3 months during the remainder of the first year. Thereafter, serum ALT levels should be periodically evaluated more frequently in patients who develop elevations. Rilutek should be discontinued if ALT levels increase to 5 times ULN or if clinical jaundice develops.
Advise patients about the potential for dizziness, vertigo, or somnolence and not to drive or operate machinery until they have sufficient experience on Rilutek.
Advise patients to report any febrile illness; measure WBCs.
Use Rilutek with caution in patients with concomitant liver insufficiency; caution should be exercised when prescribing Rilutek to patients taking drugs that are potentially hepatotoxic or highly protein bound:
- Interactions may also occur when riluzole is given concurrently with agents that affect hepatic CYP 1A2 activity.^*

*CYP 1A2 is the principal isoenzyme involved in the initial oxidative metabolism of riluzole. CYP 1A2 inhibitors, such as amitriptyline, caffeine, phenacetin, theophylline, or quinolones, may potentially decrease the rate of riluzole elimination. CYP 1A2 inducers, such as cigarette smoke, charcoal-broiled food, rifampicin, or omeprazole, may potentially increase the rate of elimination.

The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. As a healthcare professional, you are the single best source of information regarding healthcare for your patients with ALS. Please contact sanofi-aventis if you have any questions or need more information about treating ALS.