Ampyra

Generic Name: dalfampridine (Oral route)

dal-FAM-pri-deen

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Ampyra

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Extended Release

Uses For Ampyra

Dalfampridine is used to help improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis. This medicine is a potassium channel blocker.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Ampyra

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dalfampridine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dalfampridine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution in patients receiving dalfampridine.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

• Kidney disease, moderate to severe or


• Seizures, history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Seizures—May increase risk for patients with this condition.

Proper Use of Ampyra

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Do not change your dose without checking first with your doctor.

This medicine should come with a medication guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the extended release tablet whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or dissolve it.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (extended release tablets):
  
  • For walking impairment:
    
    • Adults—10 milligrams (mg) two times a day (taken at least 12 hours apart). Do not take more than two tablets in a 24-hour period.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using Ampyra

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Dalfampridine may cause seizures. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have convulsions or seizures while taking this medicine.

Do not take dalfampridine together with other aminopyridine medicines (e.g., compounded 4-AP, fampridine). Taking these medicines together will increase chance for more serious side effects.

Urinary tract infections may occur while using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms while using this medicine: bladder pain; bloody or cloudy urine; difficult, burning, or painful urination; frequent urge to urinate; or lower back or side pain.

Ampyra Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Bladder pain


• bloody or cloudy urine


• difficult, burning, or painful urination


• frequent urge to urinate


• lower back or side pain

Less common

• Blurred vision


• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings


• difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels


• difficulty walking


• feeling sad or depressed


• forgetful


• muscle cramps


• numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, or face


• slurred speech or problems with swallowing


• unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Confusion


• epileptic seizure that will not stop


• increased sweating


• memory loss


• problems with memory


• reduced awareness


• seizures


• weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Dizziness


• headache


• lack or loss of strength


• nausea


• sleeplessness


• trouble sleeping


• unable to sleep

Less common

• Back pain


• constipation


• fever


• headache


• muscle aches


• sore throat


• stuffy or runny nose

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Ampyra side effects (in more detail)

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More Ampyra resources

• Ampyra Side Effects (in more detail)
• Ampyra Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Ampyra Drug Interactions
• Ampyra Support Group
• 17 Reviews for Ampyra - Add your own review/rating

• Ampyra Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Ampyra Consumer Overview


• Ampyra Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Ampyra MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Dalfampridine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Ampyra with other medications

• Multiple Sclerosis