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Fampyra® is used in adult patients with MS to improve walking. It belongs to a group of medicines called potassium channel blockers. They work by stopping potassium leaving the nerve cells which have been damaged by MS. This medicine is thought to work by letting signals pass down the nerve more normally, allowing people with mobility issues such as in MS, to walk better.
The dose is one tablet taken in the morning and one tablet taken in the evening. It is important that the tablets are taken 12 hours apart. Each tablet should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. The tablets should not be divided, crushed, dissolved, sucked, or chewed as this may increase the risk of side-effects.
Do not double a dose to make up for the dose you have missed. You must always leave 12 hours between each tablet.
Fampyra® may have side effects in some people. All medications have side effects. It is important to notify your health professional if you experience any side effects or are feeling unwell.
The most common side effects include increased risk of urinary infections, headaches, feeling weak, anxiety, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, constipation, upset stomach, back pain, dizziness, feeling unsteady, tingling of the skin, minor shaking, worsening of facial nerve pain.
More serious side effects include seizure, fit or convulsion – if this occurs you will need urgent medical attention.
Your neurologist will assist you to assess the risks and the expected benefit of treatment with Fampyra® prior to starting therapy and over the course of treatment. Your health professional can provide comprehensive information on the use of Fampyra®, including precautions and side effects.
Fampyra® is suspected to have caused or may be expected to cause, an increased incidence of human fetal malformations or irreversible damage. These drugs may also have adverse pharmacological effects.
If you are currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant, please discuss your individual circumstances and treatment options with your neurologist or healthcare team.
Women taking Fampyra® should not breastfeed.
If you are currently breastfeeding, please discuss your individual circumstances and treatment options with your neurologist or healthcare team.
Fampyra® has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), however, it is not available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and you will need to pay the full cost to the pharmacy that dispenses your medication.
Please discuss with your neurologist whether Fampyra® is the right treatment for you. Your neurologist will need to obtain an authority to prescribe the medication for you. There are a number of criteria you must meet before your doctor receives authority to write this prescription.
Some pharmacies do not keep Fampyra® in stock. Instead, they will place an order with the manufacturer to have stock delivered especially for you. It is therefore important to let your pharmacist know a few days before you need the medication.
Fampyra® tablets should be kept in their container in a cool, dry place where they stay below 25 degrees C, as heat and dampness can destroy some medicines, and out of reach of young children.
Speak to your neurologist about what treatment best suits your individual circumstances.
MS Nurses can also provide information, training and ongoing support in managing your immunotherapy.
MS Australia does not recommend any specific disease-modifying treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist.
