How the Walking Pill May Help
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.
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.
Improvements in walking were meaningful
Some patients experienced improvement in their walking ability within a couple of weeks. Others noticed improvement up to 6 weeks after starting. AMPYRA does not work for everyone, and people experience different levels of response to the medication. In the AMPYRA clinical trials, improvement in walking was measured by walking speed.
People who walked faster in the AMPYRA clinical trials, regardless of whether they were taking AMPYRA or placebo (a sugar pill), also reported improvements in their walking-related activities. This was shown using the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12)†, a validated, self-reported patient questionnaire rating the effect of MS on walking. In the AMPYRA clinical trials, it was used to demonstrate the clinical meaningfulness of change in walking speed.
The 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12)‡:
- 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
- Gait
†A difference between drug and placebo was not established for this outcome measure.
‡This is a summary of the 12 items in the MSWS-12. It is not the full questionnaire.
See how AMPYRA worked for
real people with MS
What can you expect from AMPYRA?
It is important to be patient with your progress. Some patients experienced improvement in their walking ability within a couple of weeks. Others noticed improvement up to 6 weeks after starting AMPYRA.
Ready to discuss walking difficulty with your doctor?
Here's a useful tool to help get the conversation started.What is some additional information you should know about AMPYRA?
Do not take AMPYRA if you:
- have ever had a seizure,
- have certain types of kidney problems, or
- are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.
Stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away if you have a seizure while taking AMPYRA. 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 before you start AMPYRA.
AMPYRA may cause dizziness or vertigo. If you have these symptoms do not drive, operate machinery or do other dangerous activities.
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, or hives.
The most common side effects for AMPYRA in MS patients were urinary tract infection; trouble sleeping; 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; and pain in your throat.
For additional Important Safety Information, please see below.
Indication
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.
Important Safety Information
Do not take AMPYRA if you have ever had a seizure, have certain types of kidney problems, or are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.
Indication & Important Safety Information
INDICATION
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.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not take AMPYRA if you:
- have ever had a seizure,
- 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.
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.
Stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away if you have a seizure while taking AMPYRA. 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 before you start 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 dizziness or vertigo. If you have these symptoms do not drive, operate machinery or do other dangerous activities.
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, or hives.
The most common side effects for AMPYRA in MS patients were urinary tract infection; trouble sleeping; 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; and pain in your throat.
Please see the Patient Medication Guide.
