Amifampridine phosphate

Amifampridine phosphate is a pharmaceutical drug used in the treatment of certain neuromuscular disorders. It is a potassium channel blocker that works by increasing the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that sends signals in the nervous system.

Pharmacology

Amifampridine phosphate is a potassium channel blocker. It works by blocking potassium channels on the nerve cells, which prolongs the opening of calcium channels. This leads to an increased release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that sends signals in the nervous system. The increased release of acetylcholine improves muscle strength in patients with certain neuromuscular disorders.

Medical uses

Amifampridine phosphate is used in the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction. It is also used in the treatment of congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS), a group of conditions characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue.

Side effects

Common side effects of amifampridine phosphate include nausea, diarrhea, headache, and back pain. In rare cases, it can cause seizures or hypersensitivity reactions.

History

Amifampridine phosphate was first approved for medical use in the European Union in 2009. It was later approved in the United States in 2018.

See also

• List of drugs: A
• Neuromuscular disease
• Potassium channel