Pronunciation: dal-FAM-pri-DEEN
Generic Name: Dalfampridine
Brand Name: Ampyra
Ampyra is used for:
Improvement of walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Ampyra is a potassium channel blocker. Exactly how it works is not known. It is thought to increase nerve function that will improve walking in patients with MS.
Do NOT use Ampyra if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Ampyra
- you have moderate to severe kidney problems
- you have a history of seizures
- you take any other medicines that contain other aminopyridines (eg, 4-AP, fampridine)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Ampyra:
Some medical conditions may interact with Ampyra. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of kidney problems, kidney or urinary tract infections, or an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ampyra. However, no specific interactions with Ampyra are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Ampyra may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Ampyra:
Use Ampyra as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Ampyra comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Ampyra refilled.
- Take Ampyra by mouth with or without food.
- Swallow Ampyra whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or dissolve before swallowing.
- Ampyra works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose of Ampyra, do not make up the missed dose. Take your next dose at your regular scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ampyra.
Important safety information:
- Ampyra may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Ampyra with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or take for longer than prescribed without talking with your doctor.
- Ampyra may increase your risk of seizures. Contact your doctor right away if you experience a seizure while taking Ampyra.
- Lab tests, including kidney function, may be performed while you take Ampyra. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Ampyra with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Ampyra should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Ampyra can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Ampyra while you are pregnant. It is not known if Ampyra is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Ampyra.
Possible side effects of Ampyra:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; constipation; dizziness; headache; nausea; sore throat; stuffy or runny nose; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); balance problems; burning, numbness, or tingling; confusion; seizure; symptoms of urinary tract infection (eg, burning or pain while urinating, difficulty urinating, inability to control urination).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Ampyra side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; memory loss; seizure; sweating; tremor.
Proper storage of Ampyra:
Store Ampyra at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Ampyra out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Ampyra, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Ampyra is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Ampyra. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Ampyra resources
- Ampyra Side Effects (in more detail)
- Ampyra Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Ampyra Drug Interactions
- Ampyra Support Group
- 17 Reviews for Ampyra - Add your own review/rating
- Ampyra Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Ampyra Consumer Overview
- Ampyra Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Ampyra Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Dalfampridine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Ampyra with other medications
- Multiple Sclerosis
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