Dalfampridine
What is Dalfampridine?[edit | edit source]
- Dalfampridine (AMPYRA) is a potassium channel blocker used to improve walking in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]
- AMPYRA is a prescription medicine used to help improve walking in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was shown by an increase in walking speed.
How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]
- Dalfampridine (dal fam' pri deen) is a pyrimidine analogue (4-aminopyridine) and potassium channel blocker that is used to improve mobility and walking speed in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- Dalfampridine appears to act by prolonging neuronal action potentials and thus improving conduction in demyelinated nerve fibers.
- Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that dalfampridine (previously known as 4-aminopyridine) has a rapid onset of action increasing motor strength and mobility in 25% to 40% of patients with multiple sclerosis as well as other neuromuscular conditions.
- In clinical trials, the effect of dalfampridine has been sustained with long term use.
- It has no effect on the course of underlying disease in preventing relapses or slowing progression of disability.
Who Should Not Use this medicine ?[edit | edit source]
This medicine cannot be used in patients who:
- have ever had a seizure
- have certain types of kidney problems
- are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA
What drug interactions can this medicine cause?[edit | edit source]
- Concurrent treatment with OCT2 inhibitors, such as cimetidine, may cause increased exposure to dalfampridine. Elevated levels of dalfampridine increase the risk of seizures.
- No interaction was identified between dalfampridine and baclofen.
Is this medicine FDA approved?[edit | edit source]
- Dalfampridine was approved for use in the United States in 2010 and current indications are for symptomatic treatment of motor weakness in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
- Dalfampridine is available in tablets of 10 mg under the brand name Ampyra.
How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]
Recommended dosage:
- The maximum recommended dosage of AMPYRA is one 10 mg tablet twice daily and should not be exceeded. Take doses approximately 12 hours apart.
- There is no evidence of additional benefit at doses greater than 10 mg twice daily.
Administration:
- Take AMPYRA exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. Do not change your dose of AMPYRA.
- Take one tablet of AMPYRA 2 times each day about 12 hours apart. Do not take more than 2 tablets of AMPYRA in a 24-hour period.
- Take AMPYRA tablets whole. Do not break, crush, chew or dissolve AMPYRA tablets before swallowing. If you cannot swallow AMPYRA tablets whole, tell your doctor.
- AMPYRA is released slowly over time. If the tablet is broken, the medicine may be released too fast. This can raise your chance of having a seizure.
- AMPYRA can be taken with or without food.
- If you miss a dose of AMPYRA, do not make up the missed dose. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Take your next dose at your regular scheduled time.
- If you take too much AMPYRA, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
- Do not take AMPYRA together with other aminopyridine medications, including compounded 4-AP (sometimes called 4-aminopyridine, fampridine).
What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?[edit | edit source]
This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:
- As 10 mg tablets
This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː
- AMPYRA
What side effects can this medication cause?[edit | edit source]
The most common side effects of this medicine include:
- urinary tract infection
- trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- weakness
- back pain
- problems with balance
- multiple sclerosis relapse
- burning, tingling or itching of your skin
- irritation in your nose and throat
- constipation
- indigestion
- pain in your throat
AMPYRA may cause serious side effects, including:
- serious allergic reactions
- seizures
What special precautions should I follow?[edit | edit source]
- AMPYRA may cause dizziness or vertigo. If you have these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
- AMPYRA can cause seizures; the risk of seizures increases with increasing AMPYRA doses; discontinue AMPYRA and do not restart if a seizure occurs.
- Avoid concomitant use with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.
- AMPYRA can cause anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions. Signs and symptoms have included respiratory compromise, urticaria, and angioedema of the throat and or tongue. AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to AMPYRA or 4-aminopyridine.
What to do in case of emergency/overdose?[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of overdosage may include:
- altered mental state
- partial seizure
- confusion
- tremulousness
- diaphoresis
- amnesia
- status epilepticus
Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?[edit | edit source]
- There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with use of AMPYRA in pregnant women.
Can this medicine be used in children?[edit | edit source]
- Safety and effectiveness in patients younger than 18 years of age have not been established.
What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?[edit | edit source]
- Active ingredient: dalfampridine (previously called fampridine)
- Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.
Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?[edit | edit source]
Distributed by: Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. Ardsley, NY
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]
- Store AMPYRA at 59ºF to 86ºF (15ºC to 30ºC).
- Safely throw away AMPYRA that is out of date or no longer needed.
Disease modifying agents
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- Interferon Beta
- Interferon Beta-1a
- Interferon Beta-1b
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- Mitoxantrone
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Symptomatic Therapies
Dalfampridine Resources | ||
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