Dalfampridine for Multiple Sclerosis

Overview
Dalfampridine is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve walking speed in adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). It is the first drug approved for this purpose. Dalfampridine is sold under the brand name Ampyra. Dalfampridine is not a cure for MS, but it can help reduce symptoms related to walking.

Dalfampridine is a potassium channel blocker. Dalfampridine is believed to work by blocking potassium channels on nerves, increasing conductivity of nerve signals. In other words, it improves communication routes between your brain and your body that are damaged by demyelination in MS.

How do I take it?
Dalfampridine comes in extended-release tablets. The maximum dosage of Dalfampridine is one 10 mg tablet twice daily, 12 hours apart.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when taking dalfampridine.

Side effects
Common side effects of dalfampridine include insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, back pain, balance disorder, multiple sclerosis relapse, upper respiratory infections and pain, and constipation, dyspepsia.

Rare but serious side effects of dalfampridine include urinary tract infections, seizures, and kidney problems.

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Use of Dalfampridine — Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/neur...

Ampyra — National Multiple Sclerosis Society
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/M...