Acorda therapeutics launches new interactive website spotlighting
treatment with ampyra® (dalfampridine) of
walking problems in patients with multiple sclerosis
Hawthorne, n.y.--(business wire)--acorda therapeutics, inc. (nasdaq: acor) today announced the launch of a new interactive patient website called ampyra journeys (www.ampyrajourneys.com). the site is the first-ever stand-alone patient site to focus on walking problems associated with multiple sclerosis (ms). ampyra (dalfampridine) is an oral medication approved by the fda as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis. this was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. the ampyra journeys website features true stories of people living with ms who have experienced walking problems and who took action to get treatment. their stories explore the impact that walking problems can have for people living with ms, and how treatment that leads to improvements in walking can help people to regain the ability to perform many daily tasks. prominent ms patient advocate, motivational speaker and entertainer kristie salerno kent is among the patients who share their personal stories on www.ampyrajourneys.com. “i have met so many people living with ms who did not seek help when they started to experience walking problems. the important news is that treatment is available, and so i am very excited to be involved with ampyra journeys. this new website is a vital resource that can help anyone living with ms to learn about, and to do something about, ms-related walking problems,” said ms. salerno kent. walking problems are a significant concern for people living with ms. according to a 2011 harris interactive survey, approximately 70% of people with ms who experience difficulty walking identify this issue as the biggest challenge associated with ms. visitors to www.ampyrajourneys.com can also download “let’s talk about walking and ms,” a guide with tips on how to talk about walking problems with a healthcare provider. “acorda therapeutics developed ampyra to help patients with walking problems, one of the most challenging and common symptoms of ms. now we are very pleased to present ampyra journeys, to help more people get the support they need to get treatment. it's our hope that this site will educate and inspire people to seek help for their ms-related walking problems,” said ron cohen, md, president and ceo of acorda therapeutics. important safety information ampyra can cause seizures; the risk of seizures increases with increasing ampyra doses. ampyra is contraindicated in patients with a prior history of seizure. discontinue ampyra use if seizure occurs. ampyra is contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (crclless-than or equal to 50 ml/min); the risk of seizures in patients with mild renal impairment (crcl 51-80 ml/min) is unknown, but ampyra plasma levels in these patients may approach those seen at a dose of 15 mg twice daily, a dose that may be associated with an increased risk of seizures; estimated crcl should be known before initiating treatment with ampyra. ampyra should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-ap, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same. urinary tract infections were reported more frequently as adverse reactions in patients receiving ampyra 10 mg twice daily compared to placebo. the most common adverse events (incidence greater-than or equal to 2% and at a rate greater than the placebo rate) for ampyra in ms patients were urinary tract infection, insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, asthenia, back pain, balance disorder, multiple sclerosis relapse, paresthesia, nasopharyngitis, constipation, dyspepsia, and pharyngolaryngeal pain. for full u.s. prescribing information and medication guide for ampyra, please visit: www.ampyra.com about ampyra® (dalfampridine) ampyra is a potassium channel blocker approved as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (ms). this was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. ampyra, which was previously referred to as fampridine-sr, is an extended release tablet formulation of dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine, 4-ap), and is known as prolonged-, modified, or sustained-release fampridine (fampyra®) in some countries outside the united states (u.s). in laboratory studies, dalfampridine extended release tablets has been found to improve impulse conduction in nerve fibers in which the insulating layer, called myelin, has been damaged. ampyra is being developed and commercialized in the u.s. by acorda therapeutics; fampyra is being developed and commercialized by biogen idec in markets outside the u.s. based on a licensing agreement with acorda. ampyra and famprya are manufactured globally by alkermes pharma ireland limited, a subsidiary of alkermes plc, based on a supply agreement with acorda. ampyra is available by prescription in the united states. for more information about ampyra, including patient assistance and co-pay programs, healthcare professionals and people with ms can contact ampyra patient support services at 888-881-1918. ampyra patient support services is available monday through friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time at 888-881-1918. for full u.s. prescribing information and medication guide, please visit: www.ampyra.com. about acorda therapeutics acorda therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with ms, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. acorda markets ampyra® (dalfampridine) extended release tablets, 10 mg, in the united states as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (ms). this was demonstrated by an improvement in walking speed. ampyra is marketed outside the united states as fampyra® (prolonged-release fampridine tablets) by biogen idec under a licensing agreement from acorda. ampyra and fampyra are manufactured under license from alkermes pharma ireland limited. the company also markets zanaflex capsules® (tizanidine hydrochloride) and zanaflex tablets, a short-acting drug for the management of spasticity. acorda also receives sales royalties on tizanidine hydrochloride tablets, an authorized generic version of zanaflex capsules distributed by watson pharmaceutics, inc. under its agreement with acorda. acorda is developing an industry-leading pipeline of novel neurological therapies. the company is studying ampyra to improve a range of functional impairments caused by ms, as well as its use in other neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy and chronic stroke. in addition, acorda is developing clinical stage compounds ac105 for acute treatment of spinal cord injury and ggf2 for treatment of heart failure. ggf2 is also being investigated in preclinical studies as a treatment for neurological conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury. additional preclinical programs include rhigm22, a remyelinating monoclonal antibody for the treatment of ms, and chondroitinase, an enzyme that encourages nerve plasticity in spinal cord injury.
