Assessment of the efficacy and safety of fampridine

Abstract

ObjectiveAssessment of the efficacy and safety of fampridine for walking improvement in adult patients with multiple sclerosis. MethodA descriptive retrospective study of all patients who initiated treatment with fampridine between March, 2014 and February, 2015. Efficacy was assessed through the 25-foot walk test and the 12-item walking scale for multiple sclerosis. It was reviewed whether patients had suffered any of the most frequent adverse effects described in the pivotal clinical trial. ResultsSix patients were included, with a 66.7% response rate. At 3-6 months, the mean change in walking speed (compared to baseline) was 39.32% and there was a mean improvement of 15 points in the walking scale. Only one patient presented adverse effects. ConclusionsThe results obtained are encouraging, particularly when fampridine is the only drug currently approved to control such a disabling symptom as instability while walking.