MS may affect your walking. The good news is, so might AMPYRA.

AMPYRA^® is a medication indicated as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

In clinical trials, AMPYRA consistently improved the walking of over a third of patients, as demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA improved walking speed in significantly more patients than placebo (sugar pill) in 2 clinical trials (34.8% vs. 8.3% and 42.9% vs. 9.3%).

Patients who walked faster in the clinical trials also had consistent improvements in how they saw MS affect their walking related activities. Walking faster can be meaningful in these types of activities because it may allow a person to cross a street before the light changes, get to answer the door before someone assumes no one is home and leaves, or answer the phone before it goes into voicemail.

Patients in the clinical trials who walked faster generally found this change to be meaningful.

How soon will you notice a change in your walking?

You may experience a period of adjustment when starting AMPYRA. In clinical trials, people who had consistent improvements in their walking while taking AMPYRA usually experienced them up to 6 weeks of starting treatment.⁷ AMPYRA is not for everyone. It’s important to take AMPYRA as prescribed by your doctor.

Can AMPYRA cause side effects?

AMPYRA can cause seizures. Your chance of having a seizure is higher if you take too much AMPYRA or if you have kidney problems. Do not take AMPYRA if you have ever had a seizure. If you have a seizure stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away.

AMPYRA may cause serious side efffects, including kidney or bladder infections. In clinical trials, people taking AMPYRA reported having more urinary tract infections than those taking a placebo (sugar pill). The most common side effects of AMPYRA include urinary tract infection, trouble sleeping (insomnia), dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, back pain, problems with balance, multiple sclerosis relapse, burning, tingling or itching of the skin, irritation in the nose and throat, constipation, indigestion, and pain in the throat. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

If you experience these, or any other side effects, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. He or she may be able to recommend ways to manage them. These are not all of the possible side effects of AMPYRA. For more information contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Never take more than one tablet of AMPYRA twice a day about 12 hours apart. Don’t take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period because it may increase the risk of seizures. You won’t experience any additional benefits from AMPYRA if you take doses higher than 10 mg twice daily. Taking a higher dose can increase your risk of side effects, including seizures. If you miss a dose of AMPYRA don’t make up the missed dose.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.