Fampridine is a drug that is also known as a potassium channel blocker. Its mechanism of action has not been completely explained, however, it is imagined that the inhibition of potassium channel diminishes spillage of ionic current, thus postponing repolarization and expanding conduction of action potentials in demyelinated axons. This leads to improved peripheral neurologic functioning and fortification of muscle fiber twitch actions.
The study of its efficacy was done in two trials. In the first trial, more than 300 patients who were not capable of walking or those with sclerosis were randomly given 10mg of the said drug twice daily for 14 weeks. The outcome was based on walking speed after the treatment and a responder was defined as someone who has consistently acquired a change from the baseline. Those who had taken the drug got a 25% improvement in walking. The process was repeatedly done with great outcomes. More likely, urinary tract infection (UTI) can result from fampridine treatment. This drug is lipophilic and may be excreted in breast milk. It is the first drug to be discovered that may lead to walking improvements.
