Is Multiple Sclerosis Making It Hard to Walk? Let's Learn About Dalfampridine

Do you also have a condition called Multiple Sclerosis? Do you also feel that walking and doing everyday tasks are a little difficult for you? Sometimes, the doctor can prescribe a special medicine to improve your walking ability and help you walk a little more easily. In this article, we are going to talk about one such medicine, Dalfampridine.

Simply put, what is Dalfampridine?

Dalfampridine is a medication that is used to improve the walking ability of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). It works by increasing your walking speed and helping you move around more easily. It is not a cure for MS. However, it can help relieve the symptoms of walking difficulties. It is commonly sold under the brand name Ampyra. This medication can also be used for other purposes, so ask your doctor about it.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you this medicine. Therefore, if you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor .

• Kidney disease: If you have any kidney disease, you should tell us about it.
• Seizures: If you have had seizures before or have a condition that causes seizures.
• Allergies: If you are allergic to this dalfampridine medicine, any other medicine, food, or certain dyes.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Be sure to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is suitable for you or not.

How exactly do you use this medicine?

To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.

• Swallow this pill whole with a glass of water.
• Do not break, crush, or chew this pill for any reason. Doing so can cause the medicine to be absorbed into the body at once, causing dangerous side effects.
• You can take this before or after meals, but if you experience stomach upset, it is better to take it with food.
• Continue using this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
• Usually, when you are prescribed this medicine, you will receive a special information leaflet (`MedGuide`). Read it carefully each time you take the medicine.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

Sometimes, due to busy schedules, you may miss a dose of medicine. Please don't worry about it. Forget about the missed dose completely. Take the next dose at the scheduled time, and only take the prescribed dose. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed dose.

What if I take too much medicine?

If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, do not ignore it. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

Things to keep in mind when taking medication

When using this medicine, you also need to think about your safety.

• Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel a little drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, it is wise to avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing other tasks that require a lot of concentration until you know how this affects your body.
• Don't get up suddenly: Don't get up suddenly from a sitting or lying position. Especially if you are older, this can make you dizzy and cause you to fall. Wait a while and then get up slowly.
• Medical checkups: Go to your doctor's appointments and get checked out. Tell your doctor if there is a change in your symptoms, whether they are getting better or worse.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, dalfampridine can cause some side effects. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.

If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, tell your doctor about them as well.

How do you store and dispose of medication safely?

• Storage: Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it at room temperature (around 25°C). Do not use expired medicine.
• Disposal: The best way to dispose of expired or unwanted medications is to take them to a medication take-back program. Ask your pharmacy about this. If you can't, check the medication label. Some medications can be flushed down the toilet, but some are not safe to flush. Ask your doctor if you're not sure. If you're throwing them in the trash, take the pills out of the bottle, mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and put them in a zip-top bag.

Dalfampridine, Multiple Sclerosis, Ampyra, Difficulty Walking, Medication Side Effects, Drug Information