Drug reference

Fampridine

Antiarrhythmic · Agent for Multiple Sclerosis (Symptomatic Treatment)

AntiarrhythmicAgent for Multiple Sclerosis (Symptomatic Treatment)

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

—

none in our sources

PREGNANCY

Avoid—toxicity in animal studies.

FDA category + note

Mechanism

Fampridine blocks voltage-gated potassium channels on demyelinated neurons, thereby prolonging the action potential and increasing calcium influx into the nerve terminals. This increased calcium influx enhances the release of neurotransmitters. This action aims to improve nerve impulse conduction in demyelinated axons, which is impaired in multiple sclerosis.

Indications

Improvement of walking in patients with multiple sclerosis who have a walking disability

Dosing

Adult: the dose of either drug. Tizanidine p. 1192 or dantrolene sodium p. 1417 are second-line options; benzodiazepines may be used as third-line therapy and may also be effective in treating nocturnal spasms. A 4-week trial of cannabis extract p. 1190 can be offered as adjunctive treatment for moderate to severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis if other pharmacological treatments are not effective.…