“Ampyra’s been part of my way of continuing to walk and live my life.” -Lisa

Be There for Them—Every Step of the Way

You can be your loved one's best resource

The support of friends and family can be a big source of strength for people who have multiple sclerosis (MS)-related problems with walking. You can help your loved one by trying to better understand the disease, how it may affect or has affected their walking, and what options are available for treatment.

AMPYRA Conversations

Watch a one-on-one interview with a family living with MS as they talk about how a caregiver may help.

AMPYRA is indicated as a treatment to improve walking in patients with MS. AMPYRA improved walking in significantly more people with MS than placebo (sugar pill) in two clinical trials (34.8% vs. 8.3% and 42.9% vs. 9.3%). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

Not everyone responds to AMPYRA. Individual results may vary.

How can a family member help?
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Kristie Salerno Kent:

When someone living with MS has walking problems, how can family members help?

Joy Bryant:

Being sympathetic and being patient. And you know, Ben is very good at mentioning things. Maybe not telling me, but mentioning. "Did you notice that you did this the other day when we were at whatever restaurant?"

So it takes a very gentle tongue to bring something like that up with someone who has MS. But I think if it's said in the most caring way, then it's accepted, it's received and it does help.

Kristie Salerno Kent is a paid spokesperson for Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. Kristie is living with MS and is currently taking AMPYRA. The people interviewed by Kristie for the AMPYRA Conversations video series are real people living with MS and real healthcare professionals who treat people with MS. All participants have been compensated for their time.

Here are some other ways you can help:

Get MS-educated

Knowing about MS and how it can affect walking — and knowing what the person you care for is going through — are good first steps to being a partner-in-care. Many resources are available to educate you about MS. This website is designed to educate people with MS and their care partners about AMPYRA® (dalfampridine). See the What Is AMPYRA? section of this site.

Learn about AMPYRA and how it's taken

AMPYRA should be taken twice a day about every 12 hours, with or without food. AMPYRA tablets shouldn't be divided, crushed, chewed, or dissolved. If your loved one forgets to take a dose of AMPYRA, for example, it's important for you to know that they shouldn't take a double dose next time or try to make up a missed dose.
Get more safety information about AMPYRA.

Not everyone responds to AMPYRA. Individual results may vary

It's important that your loved one is taking AMPYRA exactly as their doctor prescribed. AMPYRA is the only FDA-approved medication shown to improve walking in people with MS. AMPYRA improved walking in significantly more people than placebo (sugar pill) in two clinical trials (34.8% vs. 8.3% and 42.9% vs. 9.3%). Improving your loved one's walking may help with even the simplest things, like keeping up with friends and family. Not everyone responds to AMPYRA. Individual results may vary.

Some people experience improvement in their walking ability within a couple of weeks. Others notice improvement up to 6 weeks after starting. AMPYRA does not work for everyone. Individual results may vary.

Keep up the dialogue with the doctors

Establish a positive relationship and open dialogue with your loved one’s entire healthcare team. You can help prepare for the visit by making a list of questions and by taking notes during the appointment. Review the Talking to Your Doctor Discussion Guide before the visit to help you and your loved one plan your conversation with the doctor.
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AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) is indicated as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

IMPORTANT NEW SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take AMPYRA if you are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take AMPYRA if you have ever had a seizure, or have certain types of kidney problems, or are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

Take AMPYRA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

You could have a seizure even if you never had a seizure before. Your chance of having a seizure is higher if you take too much AMPYRA or if your kidneys have a mild decrease of function, which is common after age 50.

Your doctor may do a blood test to check how well your kidneys are working, if that is not known before you start taking AMPYRA.

AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.

AMPYRA may cause serious allergic reactions. Stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away or get emergency medical help if you have shortness of breath or trouble breathing, swelling of your throat or tongue, or hives.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide.

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

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

IMPORTANT NEW SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take AMPYRA if you are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take AMPYRA if you have ever had a seizure, or have certain types of kidney problems, or are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

Take AMPYRA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

You could have a seizure even if you never had a seizure before. Your chance of having a seizure is higher if you take too much AMPYRA or if your kidneys have a mild decrease of function, which is common after age 50.

Your doctor may do a blood test to check how well your kidneys are working, if that is not known before you start taking AMPYRA.

AMPYRA may cause serious allergic reactions. Stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away or get emergency medical help if you have shortness of breath or trouble breathing, swelling of your throat or tongue, or hives.

AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.

The most common adverse events for AMPYRA in MS patients were urinary tract infection, trouble sleeping, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, back pain, and problems with balance.

Before taking AMPYRA tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if AMPYRA will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if AMPYRA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take AMPYRA or breast-feed. You should not do both.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide.

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

AMPYRA® is a registered trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. | AMPYRA® is marketed by Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. and manufactured under license from Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (APIL), Ireland | AMPYRACONNECT™ is a trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. | The stylized path logo is a trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. | The stylized Acorda logo is a trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. | © 2013 Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. All rights reserved.

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