Multiple sclerosis patients and physicians should be warned about the recent FDA warning on patients taking Ampyra, FDA states Ampyra increased the risk of seizures in multiple sclerosis patients.
Ampyra was developed by Acorda to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis.
FDA noted that after recently evaluating seizure risk in MS patients taking Ampyra that the majority of seizures happened within days to weeks after starting the medication with higher blood levels.
"Since Ampyra is eliminated from the kidneys, patients with kidney impairment may develop higher blood levels of the drug, thus increasing their seizure risk." the FDA said.
The agency is updating the prescribing information for physicians, making it clear that a patient's kidney function should be analyzed before starting Ampyra, they mentioned that patients should be monitored at least once a year while on Ampyra.
In addition, patients who miss a dose should not take extra doses as an extra dose can increase seizure risk, the agency said.
"Since Ampyra is eliminated from the kidneys, patients with kidney impairment may develop higher blood levels of the drug, thus increasing their seizure risk." the FDA said.
The agency is updating the prescribing information for physicians, making it clear that a patient's kidney function should be analyzed before starting Ampyra, they mentioned that patients should be monitored at least once a year while on Ampyra.
In addition, patients who miss a dose should not take extra doses as an extra dose can increase seizure risk, the agency said.
All in all, the drug is still out in the market, with just a modification to the prescribing information.
