Type of medicine: potassium channel blocker
Generic and brand names: dalfampridine, oral; Ampyra
This medicine is taken by mouth to improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you take 4-aminopyridine (fampridine, 4-AP).
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. The usual dose of this medicine is 1 tablet 2 times a day. Do not take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period. Make sure there is about 12 hours between doses. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is an extended release tablet. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Swallow them whole. You may take this medicine with or without food. To avoid stomach upset, take this medicine with or right after meals. If you cannot swallow the tablets whole, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
If you miss a dose, do not make up the missed dose. Skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. Do not take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, weakness, confusion, sweating, hallucinations, loss of balance, trouble talking, memory loss, tremors, seizures.
This medicine may increase your risk for seizures, especially if you take more than prescribed. Talk with your provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): seizures, pain or burning when you urinate.
Other: back pain, burning, tingling or itching of your skin, constipation, dizziness, headache, indigestion, nausea, problems with balance, sore throat, nasal irritation, trouble sleeping, weakness.
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
