What is the name of a new 6 week drug you take to improve walking?It has a number,letter name?
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Q: New 6 week ms drug/treatment that improves walking?
Answers (3)
9/23/08 11:22pm
Hi Janee, welcome to Health Central.
I believe the drug you are thinking of is Fampridine-SR which is a sustained-release formulation of the compounded drug 4-AP or 4-Aminopyridine.
Fampridine-SR just completed Phase III trials and Acorda Therapeutics will be filing for FDA approval early next year. The primary end-point in the trial was improved walking speed. The secondary end-point was leg strength. Data from the trials was presented last week. Press release is here.
4-AP is a potassium-channel blocker which basically helps the nerves to conduct electrical impulses. If the impulses are able to pass over damaged parts of demyelinated nerves, then your body should be able to have improved functions.
I've not tried 4-AP so I can't speak to the benefits (or side-effects) which patients have reported. Here's a report which resulted from a 2 1/2 hour phone conference which I had with the CEO of Acorda Therapeutics who is developing Fampridine-SR.
9/25/08 2:13am
copaxone
12/16/10 10:27pm
It is called Ampyra I have been taking it for 6 months and it really works.I still have to use a walker but it helps with my drop foot.The only down fall for me was 2 months of chest pains which went away.The medicine didnt hurt my heart.
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By Janee— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 09/23/08
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my doc does not think the benefit is worth the risk. better check side-effects