Indication for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als, lou gehrig s disease)mechanism of action the mode of action of riluzole is unknown. its pharmacological properties include the following, some of which may be related to its effect: 1) an inhibitory effect on glutamate release (activation of glutamate reuptake), 2) inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels, and 3) ability to interfere with intracellular events that follow transmitter binding at excitatory amino acid receptors.