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What Is AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets?

AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets is indicated as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

  • First in a new class of approved MS agents.5
  • Shown to increase conduction through inhibition of potassium channels in animal studies. The mechanism by which AMPYRA (dalfampridine) exerts its therapeutic effect has not been fully elucidated.5
  • AMPYRA improved walking speed in significantly more patients than placebo in 2 clinical trials (34.8% vs. 8.3% and 42.9% vs. 9.3%),
    p     < 0.001 in both.5
  • Improved walking in patients in two Phase 3 clinical trials:
    • Across the major types of MS.5
    • With or without use of immunomodulatory drugs including interferons, glatiramer acetate, or natalizumab.5
    • With no differences in effectiveness detected based on degree of impairment, age, gender or body mass index.5
    • In EDSS scores ranging from 2.5 to 7.0.6
  • Oral administration

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Indication

AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets is indicated as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

The use of AMPYRA is contraindicated in the following conditions: History of seizure, or moderate or severe renal impairment.

AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.

Patients should discontinue use of any product containing 4-aminopyridine prior to initiating treatment with AMPYRA in order to reduce the potential for dose-related adverse reactions, including seizures.

Seizures: AMPYRA can cause seizures. The risk of seizures increases with increasing AMPYRA doses. AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with a prior history of seizure. Discontinue AMPYRA use if seizure occurs.

Renally impaired patients: AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤ 50 mL/min); the risk of seizures in patients with mild renal impairment (CrCl 51-80 mL/min) is unknown, but AMPYRA plasma levels in these patients may approach those seen at a dose of 15 mg twice daily, a dose that may be associated with an increased risk of seizures; estimated CrCl should be known before initiating treatment with AMPYRA.

Urinary tract infections were reported more frequently as adverse reactions in patients receiving AMPYRA 10 mg twice daily compared to placebo.

The most common adverse events (incidence ≥ 2% and at a rate greater than the placebo rate) for AMPYRA in MS patients were urinary tract infection, insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, asthenia, back pain, balance disorder, multiple sclerosis relapse, paresthesia, nasopharyngitis, constipation, dyspepsia, and pharyngolaryngeal pain.

The risk of adverse events, including seizures, increases with increasing AMPYRA doses. No additional benefit was demonstrated at doses greater than 10 mg twice daily.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of AMPYRA in pregnant women. AMPYRA should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Safety and effectiveness of AMPYRA in patients younger than 18 years of age have not been established.

Clinical studies of AMPYRA did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

For more information, please see the complete Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also contact Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. at 1-800-367-5109.

AMPYRA® is a registered trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc.
AMPYRA® is marketed by Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc and manufactured under license from Alkermes Pharma Ireland Ltd.
© 2011 Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. All rights reserved.

  is a registered trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc.

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