Dalfampridine

Dalfampridine is a prescription medication used to improve walking in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Dalfampridine belongs to a group of drugs called potassium channel blockers, which strengthen nerve signals in the brain harmed by MS.

This medication comes in tablet form and is typically taken twice daily, with or without food.

Common side effects of dalfampridine include difficulty sleeping, dizziness, headache, and nausea.

Dalfampridine is a prescription medicine used to improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Dalfampridine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Ampyra

The most common side effects of dalfampridine 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

This is not a complete list of dalfampridine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

No drug interactions have been identified with dalfampridine but always tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking compounded 4-aminopyridine (fampridine, 4-AP).

Dalfampridine may cause serious side effects, including:

• kidney or bladder infections
• Dalfampridine can cause seizures. See below for more information.
• serious allergic reactions, including anaphylactic reactions

Dalfampridine 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 dalfampridine or if with mild kidney dysfunction, 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 dalfampridine.
• Before taking dalfampridine tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
• Take dalfampridine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

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

Do not take dalfampridine if you:

• have ever had a seizure
• have certain types of kidney problems

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of dalfampridine there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving dalfampridine.

Before you receive dalfampridine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or if you have ever had a seizure.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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

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

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if dalfampridine is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Dalfampridine comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth with or without food. It is usually taken 2 times each day about 12 hours apart. Dalfampridine tablets should be taken whole. Do not break, crush, chew or dissolve dalfampridine tablets.

If you miss a dose of dalfampridine, 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.

Take dalfampridine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The maximum recommended dose of dalfampridine is one 10 mg tablet twice daily, taken with or without food, and should not be exceeded. Doses should be taken approximately 12 hours apart. You should not take double or extra doses if a dose is missed.

If you take too much dalfampridine call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If dalfampridine is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store dalfampridine at 59ºF to 86ºF (15ºC to 30ºC).
• Safely throw away dalfampridine that is out of date or no longer needed.
• Keep dalfampridine and all medicines out of the reach of children.