Read this Medication Guide before you start taking AMPYRA.
Read this Medication Guide before you start taking AMPYRA and
each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This
information does not take the place of talking with your doctor
about your medical condition or your treatment.
What is the most important information
I should know about AMPYRA?
AMPYRA can cause seizures.
• Your chance of having a seizure is higher if you take too much
AMPYRA or if you have kidney problems.
•Do not take AMPYRA if you have ever had a seizure.
•Before taking AMPYRA tell your doctor if you have
kidney problems.
• Take AMPYRA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
See “How do I take AMPYRA?”
Stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away
if you have a seizure while taking AMPYRA.
What is AMPYRA?
AMPYRA is a prescription medicine used to help improve walking
in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was shown by an
increase in walking speed.
It is not known if AMPYRA is safe or e;ective in children less than
18 years of age.
Who should not take AMPYRA?
Do not take AMPYRA if you:
•have ever had a seizure
•have certain types of kidney problems
What should I tell my doctor before taking AMPYRA?
Before you take AMPYRA, tell your doctor if you:
•have any other medical conditions
•are taking compounded 4-aminopyridine (fampridine, 4-AP)
•are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if
AMPYRA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor will
decide if you should take AMPYRA while you are pregnant
•are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if
AMPYRA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor
should decide if you will take AMPYRA or breast-feed. You
should not do both.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including
prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal
supplements. Know the medicines you take.
Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist
when you get a new medicine.
How should I take AMPYRA?
• Take AMPYRA exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
Do not change your dose of AMPYRA.
• Take one tablet of AMPYRA 2 times each day about 12 hours
apart. Do not take more than 2 tablets of AMPYRA in a
24-hour period.
• Take AMPYRA tablets whole. Do not break, crush, chew or
dissolve AMPYRA tablets before swallowing. If you cannot
swallow AMPYRA tablets whole, tell your doctor.
•AMPYRA is released slowly over time. If the tablet is broken,
the medicine may be released too fast. This can raise your
chance of having a seizure.
•AMPYRA can be taken with or without food.
•If you miss a dose of AMPYRA, do not make up the missed dose.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Take your next dose at
your regular scheduled time.
•If you take too much AMPYRA, call your doctor or go to the
nearest hospital emergency room right away.
•Do not take AMPYRA together with other aminopyridine
medications, including compounded 4-AP (sometimes called
4-aminopyridine, fampridine)
What are the possible side e;ects of AMPYRA?
AMPYRA may cause serious side e;ects, including:
•Kidney or bladder infections
See “What is the most important information
I should know about AMPYRA?”
The most common side e;ects of AMPYRA include:
•urinary tract infection
•trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea
• weakness
•back pain
•problems with balance
•multiple sclerosis relapse
•burning, tingling or itching of your skin
•irritation in your nose and throat
• constipation
• indigestion
•pain in your throat
Tell your doctor if you have any side e;ect that bothers you
or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side e;ects of AMPYRA. For more
information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side e;ects. You may
report side e;ects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store AMPYRA?
•Store AMPYRA at 59°F to 86°F ( 15°C to 30°C).
•Safely throw away AMPYRA that is out of date or
no longer needed.
Keep AMPYRA and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General Information about the safe and e;ective use of AMPYRA
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than
those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use AMPYRA for a
condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give AMPYRA
to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you
have. It may harm them.
This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information
about AMPYRA. If you would like more information, talk with your
doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information
about AMPYRA that is written for health professionals.
For more information, go to www.AMPYRA.com or
call 1-800-367-5109.
What are the ingredients in AMPYRA?
Active ingredient: dalfampridine (previously called fampridine)
Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose,
polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.
Distributed by: Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.
Hawthorne, NY 10532
Issued 01/2010
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration.
AMPYRA® is a registered trademark of Acorda Therapeutics® , Inc.
AMPYRA® is marketed by Acorda Therapeutics® , Inc. and
manufactured under license from Elan Pharma International Ltd.
(EPIL), Ireland, utilizing EPIL’s MatriX Drug Absorption System
(MXDAS® ) technology.
MXDAS® is a registered trademark of Elan Pharma
International Ltd. (EPIL).
U.S. Patent Nos.: US 5,540,938 and US 5,370,879
The stylized Acorda logo is a registered trademark of
Acorda Therapeutics® , Inc.
©2011, Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. All rights reserved.
