Common Questions

Because MS affects people's walking differently, it may be difficult to notice the changes in your walking. You may first notice mild changes – taking a few extra minutes to walk to the bus stop – or the changes may be more severe.

In a poll sponsored by Acorda of more than 2000 people with MS, walking was named as one of the most challenging aspects of MS – 87% of people with MS said they had some limitations in their walking ability and limited activities that involved walking.

To help you evaluate your walking, you can take a walking self-assessment. It only takes a few minutes and may help you recognize changes in your walking over time. This may allow you to gauge if your walking has been affected since you were diagnosed with MS.

Downloading the self-assessment and talking to your doctor are good ways to start.

It's a good idea to bring the results with you to your next doctor's appointment so you can discuss them together.

MS affects everybody differently. Many people with MS experience difficulty walking at the time of diagnosis, for others later on. Walking difficulty can range from mild to severe and vary from person to person.

One thing many people with MS have in common is that they often have some limitations in their walking. In a poll sponsored by Acorda, of more than 1200 people with MS, 39% said they experienced walking issues before they were diagnosed. In addition, 58% of people diagnosed with MS within the past 5 years report experiencing a walking issue at least twice a week.

Remember, there may be many ways to address your walking issues. The first step is to talk to your doctor, and mention changes in your walking.

There are a number of ways a doctor may assess your walking as it relates to MS, including patient counselling, observation and walking tests such as the timed 25 foot walk test. Ask your doctor to help you assess your walking ability.

The MSWS-12 is a validated, self-reported patient questionnaire rating the effect of MS on walking. It includes the following 12 areas: Standing, maintaining balance, ability to run, climbing stairs, need for support outdoors, walking distances, need for support indoors, effort needed to walk, concentration needed to walk, ability to walk, walking speed, and gait.

To help you evaluate your walking, you can take a walking self-assessment. It only takes a few minutes and may help you recognize changes in your walking over time. This may allow you to gauge if your walking has been affected since you were diagnosed with MS. You can download your self-assessment and bring it with you to your next doctor's appointment.

AMPYRA may cause serious side effects, including severe 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
• hives

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 your skin
• irritation in your nose and throat
• constipation
• indigestion
• pain in your throat

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of AMPYRA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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

You may experience improvement in your walking ability within a couple of weeks or up to 6 weeks after starting AMPYRA. People experience different levels of response, and AMPYRA doesn't work for everyone. It's important to take AMPYRA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

To help you see the potential benefit of treatment, it's a good idea to begin monitoring your walking both before and after you start taking AMPYRA. This may help you assess how MS may be impacting your walking on a week-by-week basis, and may help identify changes or improvement you experience.

AMPYRA is a prescription medicine used to help improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis. This was shown by an increase in walking speed.

It is not known if AMPYRA is safe or effective in children less than 18 years of age.

AMPYRA^® (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg, is the first and only brand prescription medicine indicated to help improve walking in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

Some patients experienced improvement in their walking ability within a couple of weeks. Others noticed improvement up to 6 weeks after starting AMPYRA.

AMPYRA does not work for everyone, and people experience different levels of response to the medication.

For more information on AMPYRA, click here.

All patients taking AMPYRA are automatically enrolled into the MyAmpyra support program, which provides 1-to-1 support on your journey. As part of the MyAmpyra program, all new patients automatically receive a call from AMPYRA Patient Support Services (APSS) to help ensure you have the best resources and support at your fingertips. By taking AMPYRA, you may be taking an important step — and we're here to help you every step along the way. You can also call toll-free at 1-888-881-1918 Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 8 PM ET.

The MyAmpyra program provides tips on taking your AMPYRA prescription, the Personal Walking Assessment to share with your doctor, useful information about AMPYRA and walking, and refill reminders by email. To access the MyAmpyra Program, visit https://www.myampyra.com.

To sign up, you can call APSS toll-free at 1-888-881-1918 Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 8 PM EST.

If MS has affected your walking, AMPYRA may be right for you. Use this step-by-step guide for talking with your doctor.

Do not take AMPYRA if you:

• have ever had a seizure
• have certain types of kidney problems
• are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA

AMPYRA does not work for everyone, and people experience different levels of response to the medication. Ask your doctor if AMPYRA may be right for you.

AMPYRA can cause seizures.

• 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.
• Do not take AMPYRA if you have ever had a seizure.
• Before taking AMPYRA tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
• Take AMPYRA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away if you have a seizure while taking AMPYRA.

• 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).

There are a few steps you need to take in order to receive your AMPYRA.

1. First, after being prescribed AMPYRA, be sure to complete the enrollment form with your physician.
2. Second, you will need to confirm your insurance information. Someone will call you from AMPYRA Patient Support Services to confirm your insurance information.
3. Next, you will need to schedule your medication delivery. Your specialty pharmacist will call you to arrange this.

If you have questions about AMPYRA or need help getting or paying for AMPYRA, call AMPYRA Patient Support Services toll-free at 1-888-881-1918, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 8 PM ET.

If you think MS may be affecting your walking, you should talk to your doctor to see if AMPYRA may be right for you.

Discussing your walking with your doctor is important, as changes may happen gradually over time or more quickly. From taking longer to cross the street in time to make the light, to running late to meet friends at a nearby coffee house – changes in your walking should be discussed.

If you need help starting the conversation with your doctor, the Talking to Your Doctor Discussion Guide may be very helpful for jumpstarting that discussion. It's a free tool to help you assess your walking and think about differences you may notice. The information can help prepare you for your next doctor's visit, when you can explain what you are experiencing. You can download the Talking to Your Doctor Discussion Guide here. Asking friends or loved ones to help assess your walking can also be helpful.

If you have noticed changes in your walking don't wait, talk to your doctor about it. If it matters to you, it will matter to them.

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

Your doctor will measure your kidney function before prescribing AMPYRA. You shouldn't 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.

Before taking AMPYRA, tell your doctor if you:

• have any other medical conditions
• are taking compounded 4-aminopyridine
• are taking any other prescription or OTC medicines, such as cimetidine
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if AMPYRA will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if AMPYRA passes into your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take AMPYRA.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Take AMPYRA exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. 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. AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.

Take AMPYRA tablets whole. Do not break, crush, chew or dissolve AMPYRA tablets before swallowing. If you miss a dose of AMPYRA, do not make up the missed dose. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Before taking AMPYRA tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

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.

If you miss a dose of AMPYRA, do not try to make up the missed dose by taking two doses at the same time. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Do not take more than two tablets of AMPYRA in a 24-hour period. If you have any questions, remember you can always call your doctor – they're always the best person to go to for questions about your AMPYRA treatment.

AMPYRA can cause seizures. Your chance of having a seizure is higher if you take too much AMPYRA or if you have certain types of kidney problems. Before taking AMPYRA tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. Do not take AMPYRA if you are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

• Store AMPYRA at 59^oF to 86^oF (15^oC to 30^oC).
• Safely throw away AMPYRA that is out of date or no longer needed.

Keep AMPYRA and all medicines out of the reach of children.

You should never share your medicine with others or keep expired or unused medications in your home. If you have any AMPYRA that has expired or that you will not be using, you may want to consider taking advantage of community medication take-back programs. These programs allow the public to bring unused medications to a central location for proper disposal. Information about take-back programs can generally be found in your city's or county's government's household trash and recycling service. When in doubt about proper disposal, talk to your pharmacist. You can also find more information on the FDA website about proper disposal of medications at the following address:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm

Active ingredient: dalfampridine (previously called fampridine)

Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

AMPYRA may cause dizziness or vertigo. If you have these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.