On the 22nd January the FDA approved dalfampridine (Ampyra, Elan/Acorda Therapeutics) extended-release tablets to improve walking in people with MS. Dalfampridine is a potassium channel blocker, that has been shown to improve walking speeds vs placebo. The drug was previously known as fampridine sustained release. Given at doses greater than the recommended 10 mg twice a day, dalfampridine can cause seizures. The most common adverse events reported in clinical trials were urinary tract infection, insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, back pain, balance disorder, swelling in the nose or throat, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, throat pain, and burning, tingling, or itching of skin. Dalfampridine, should not be used in patients with moderate or severe kidney disease. In these patients, blood levels with the drug approach those associated with the occurrence of seizures.
Please see previous posting below discussing the concerns with dalfampridine.
Is it me or do the labs guys go out of their way to find treatments that generate a sackful of bad side-effects? From what I've read with this drug, not everyone is a responder and the improvements which are seen aren't great. One day I'd like to see a treatment which "completely reverses all the damage caused by MS and irradicates the disease from the body…. the only know side effect is a mild sore throat which lasts 24 hours". Unfortunately, such a drug would put tens of thousands of MS researchers out of work, so I'm not holding my breath.
Commented afterwards that I wished there had been more focus on things that can help MS symptoms rather than focussing just on slowing/halting progression on Saturday.The information gathered during the Talk on prevention of MS meant I am on the right track with my thinking. Though my apparent allergy to beans/legumes could mean that I have kidney problems. Didn't bring this up when talking to you Dr G, and just focussing on turmeric! 😉