Last Updated: March 18, 2010(Posted By: Josi Creek)
Pharmacological Class:
Potassium channel blocker
Active Ingredient(s):
Dalfampridine 10mg; ext-rel tabs.
Indication(s):
To improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (demonstrated by an increase in walking speed).
Pharmacology:
In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the functioning of nerve fibers in the central nervous system degrades over time, causing, among other symptoms, difficulties in ambulation. Research has shown that 64–85% of people with MS have difficulty walking, and 70% of those affected report it to be the most challenging aspect of their disease. Within 15 years of a diagnosis of MS, 1/2 of the patients often need help walking and, in later stages, up to 1/3 are unable to walk.
Dalfampridine, which was previously known as fampridine, is a broad spectrum potassium channel blocker. In animal studies, dalfampridine has been shown to increase conduction of action potentials in demyelinated axons through inhibition of potassium channels. The mechanism of action in humans has not been fully elucidated.
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