FDA approves dalfampridine

On the 22nd January the FDA approved dalfampridine (Ampyra, Elan/Acorda Therapeutics) extended-release tablets to improve walking in people with MS. Dalfampridine is a potassium channel blocker, that has been shown to improve walking speeds vs placebo. The drug was previously known as fampridine sustained release. Given at doses greater than the recommended 10 mg twice a day, dalfampridine can cause seizures. The most common adverse events reported in clinical trials were urinary tract infection, insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, back pain, balance disorder, swelling in the nose or throat, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, throat pain, and burning, tingling, or itching of skin. Dalfampridine, should not be used in patients with moderate or severe kidney disease. In these patients, blood levels with the drug approach those associated with the occurrence of seizures.

Please see previous posting below discussing the concerns with dalfampridine.