Dalfampridine is a medication shown to improve visual function and motor skills and relieve fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Dalfampridine is most effective in patients with the chronic progressive form of MS, in patients who are temperature-sensitive, and in patients who have had MS for longer than three years. This drug was formerly called 4-aminopyridine or 4-AP and is still sometimes referred to as 4-AP in studies and articles.

Dalfampridine Use

Dalfampridine is available from our compounding pharmacy in 5-15mg immediate-release capsules or 15mg extended-release capsules. For the immediate-release capsules, a ramping protocol is used with doses starting at 5mg and working up to a maximum of 40mg per day over the course of two weeks.

The success of treatment with dalfampridine can usually be determined after those first two weeks. Its effectiveness is measured with a series of tests, including walking tests for patients with multiple sclerosis. If there is no improvement seen after a month of use, dalfampridine treatment is usually discontinued. Your healthcare provider may choose to prolong treatment or use different testing methods. We can work with you and your healthcare provider to formulate a new dosage for your unique needs.

Common side effects of dalfampridine include dizziness, nervousness and nausea. The incidence of adverse effects has been shown to be low in most studies.

Dalfampridine for Peripheral Nerve Injury

One recent study showed that dalfampridine may be able to heal damaged nerves from acute injury. Even though the drug has been used for over 30 years to treat chronic conditions, this particular use is only now being studied. The study found that 4-AP administration increased the speed and extent of behavioral recovery and improved nerve conduction velocity and remyelination.

Research

4-Aminopyridine promotes functional recovery and remyelination in acute peripheral nerve injury.