Ampyra (dalfampridine), walking ability and MS patients

Late Friday afternoon, January 22, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they approved AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine, formerly known as fampridine-SR) as a treatment to improve walking in multiple sclerosis patients. Developed by Acorda Therapeutics in partnership with Elan Corp, AMPYRA™ is a proprietary slow-release formulation of the compounded drug 4-aminopyridine (4-AP).

Since I have no personal experience with either AMPYRA™ or 4-AP, I asked a couple of MS friends to share their stories. Please meet Connie and Melissa.

Connie’s Story:
Diagnosed with MS in 1999, Connie quickly learned that she has the primary progressive form of MS. Her initial symptoms include numbness in hands and feet, tingling in arms and legs, extreme fatigue and weakness. She was still walking unassisted in 2002 but by the end of 2005 needed hand controls for her vehicle and began using a walker, even after four courses of Novantrone.

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AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) FDA-approved for MS patients; Connie and Melissa share their stories