You will know if AMPYRA is working when you notice improvements in your balance and walking when taking AMPYRA.
Most people taking AMPYRA will notice improvements in their walking, walking speed and balance within a few weeks although some people may not have improved walking, balance, walking speed until 6 weeks.
However AMPYRA does not work for everyone who takes it and some people may not notice any improvements and may need a different medication.
For most people AMPYRA works as quickly as 2 weeks although it can take up to 6 weeks in some cases for AMPYRA to work.
The success rate of AMPYRA is 46 percent although it can take a couple of weeks for most people taking AMPYRA for it to start working.
AMPYRA helps improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis by blocking the tiny pores, or potassium channels, on the surface of nerve fibers.
Blocking the potassium channels can improve the conduction of nerve signals along nerve fibers whose insulating myelin coating has been damaged by MS.
AMPYRA also known as dalfampridine has been found to improve impulse conduction in demyelinated nerve fibers and to increase synaptic transmitter release at nerve endings.
The side effects of AMPYRA include.
Problems with balance.
Back pain.
Weakness.
Nausea.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Trouble Sleeping or insomnia.
Urinary Tract Infection.
Some people taking AMPYRA experience improvement in their walking ability within a couple of weeks.
Other people taking AMPYRA notice improvement up to 6 weeks after starting AMPYRA.
Neither hair loss nor weight gain has been reported as side effects of Ampyra.
People who experience unexpected reactions after starting on a new medication are advised to seek guidance from their doctor.
Doctors will also sometimes use Ampyra off-label to improve MS symptoms, such as fatigue, spasticity (muscle tightness), and visual fluctuations.