fampridine at a glance
Medicine class
Potassium-channel blocker
Licensed role
Improving walking in adults with MS and walking disability
Form
Prolonged-release oral tablet that must be swallowed whole
Food
Take without food because food increases the peak fampridine concentration
What is fampridine used for?
Fampridine is licensed for:
Improving walking in adults with multiple sclerosis whose walking disability corresponds to an EDSS score of 4–7.
How does fampridine work?
MS can expose potassium channels in damaged, demyelinated nerves, allowing electrical current to leak. Fampridine blocks these channels, helping signals travel along affected nerves more effectively. This may improve walking but does not repair myelin or modify MS progression.
fampridine preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg
How to take fampridine
Follow the specialist’s instructions and take the prolonged-release tablet without food.
Swallow the tablet whole.
Do not divide, crush, dissolve, suck or chew it.
Use a walking aid when needed because dizziness or balance problems may increase fall risk.
fampridine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Urinary tract infection
- Dizziness, headache, vertigo or balance problems
- Tingling, tremor or weakness
- Difficulty sleeping or anxiety
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation or indigestion
- Palpitations, breathlessness, throat pain or back pain
Get urgent medical advice
- A seizure
- Anaphylaxis or angioedema, which may cause breathing difficulty, swelling, rash, low blood pressure or chest discomfort
fampridine in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited, and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. Product information advises avoiding fampridine during pregnancy as a precaution. Discuss treatment with the MS specialist or prescriber if pregnant or planning pregnancy.
fampridine while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether fampridine passes into human milk, so it is not recommended while breastfeeding. The prescriber should review the need for treatment and feeding options.
fampridine interactions
A complete medicines review is important, particularly for products affecting fampridine’s kidney clearance.
Other medicines containing fampridine or 4-aminopyridine
Concurrent use is contraindicated because exposure and serious adverse-effect risk may increase.
Cimetidine
This OCT2 inhibitor reduces renal secretion of fampridine and must not be used concurrently.
Metformin, carvedilol or propranolol
These OCT2 substrates require caution because they may affect fampridine’s renal transport.
Common questions about fampridine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is fampridine used for in multiple sclerosis?
It is used to improve walking in some adults with MS-related walking disability. It does not treat every MS symptom.
Does fampridine slow MS progression?
No. It is a symptomatic treatment intended to improve walking, not an MS disease-modifying therapy.
Should fampridine be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.