Real-life experience with fampridine (Fampyra®) for patients with multiple sclerosis and gait disorders.
BACKGROUND
Fampridine is a broad-spectrum voltage-dependent potassium channel blocker that enhances synaptic transmission. The drug has been shown to be able to ameliorate conduction in demyelinated axons, thereby leading to improved gait in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).


OBJECTIVE
To assess the "real-life" efficacy and safety of fampridine prescribed for gait disorders in MS. This was an observational and prospective study carried out at MS Units participating in the Brazilian Multiple Sclerosis Study Group.


METHODS
Patients with MS and gait disorders were prescribed fampridine (10 mg twice a day), irrespectively of the degree of disability determined by MS. Neurological disability determined by MS was assessed with the expanded disability scale score (EDSS). Outcomes for efficacy and safety of the drug were evaluated by the 25 foot-walk test and by the adverse events of fampridine.


RESULTS
The time taken to walk 25 feet decreased by 20% or more in 62 patients (70%). Twenty-five patients were considered to be non-responders to this treatment. Improvement in walking speed was independent of improvement of disability. Mild or moderate adverse events were reported in 8% of patients.


CONCLUSION
Fampridine is an efficient and safe therapeutic option for patients with MS and gait disorders.
['Fragoso|Yara Dadalti|YD|', 'Adoni|Tarso|T|', 'Alves-Leon|Soniza Vieira|SV|', 'Apostolos-Pereira|Samira Luisa|SL|', 'Barreira|Amilton Antunes|AA|', 'Brooks|Joseph Bruno Bidin|JB|', 'Claudino|Rinaldo|R|', 'Correa|Eber Castro|EC|', 'Ferreira|Maria Lucia Brito|ML|', 'Finkelsztejn|Alessandro|A|', 'Finkelsztejn|Juliana|J|', 'da Gama|Paulo Diniz|PD|', 'Goncalves|Marcus Vinicius Magno|MV|', 'Guerreiro|Carlos Tostes|CT|', 'da Cunha Matta|Andre Palma|AP|', 'Marques|Vanessa Daccach|VD|', 'Rizo Morales|Rogerio|R|', 'Parolin|Monica Fiuza Koncke|MF|', 'de Castro Ribeiro|Marlise|M|', 'Ribeiro|Taysa Alexandrino Gonsalves Jube|TA|', 'Ruocco|Heloisa Helena|HH|', 'Sato|Henry|H|', 'Scherpenhuijzen|Simone|S|', 'Siquineli|Fabio|F|', 'de Carvalho Sousa|Nise Alessandra|NA|', 'Varela|Daniel Lima|DL|', 'Tauil|Carlos Bernardo|CB|', 'Winckler|Thereza Cristina|TC|']
D015761:4-Aminopyridine D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D005260:Female D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic D006801:Humans D008016:Life Change Events D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009103:Multiple Sclerosis D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers D011446:Prospective Studies
fampridine Multiple sclerosis gait walking