INTRODUCTION

DALSTEP 10MG contains Dalfampridine which belongs to a group of medicines called Potassium channel blockers. DALSTEP 10MG is used to help improve walking in adults with multiple sclerosis related walking disability. Multiple sclerosis is a type of long-lasting disease that affects your brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves in your eyes which results in problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions. It is generally characterized by symptoms such as weakness, loss of balance, muscle spasms, loss of vision, and numbness in your legs or arms.

Dalfampridine is a potassium channel blocker which works by blocking tiny pores or potassium channels on the surface of the nerve fibers (a part of nerve cells that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body) which results in the  improvement of the conduction of nerve signals along nerve fibers whose insulating myelin coat (sheath that forms around nerves including those of brain and spinal cord) had been damaged by multiple sclerosis thus resulting in the improvement of the motor function in patients with multiple sclerosis. Along with this management, your doctor might advise you to do a regular blood test to check the functioning of your kidneys.

Avoid taking DALSTEP 10MG if you have or ever had a seizure. Before taking DALSTEP 10MG, inform your doctor if you are allergic to Dalfampridine, have heart, kidney, or liver disease or any other medical condition. It is not recommended for use in patients with moderate or severe of kidney disease. DALSTEP 10MG is also not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine. It is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below 18 years). The most common side effects of taking DALSTEP 10MG are urinary tract infection, dizziness, headache, sore throat, nausea, and vomiting. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms gets worse.

USES OF DALSTEP 10MG

• Improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)

HOW DALSTEP 10MG WORKS

DALSTEP 10MG is a broad spectrum potassium channel blocker which increases conduction of action potentials in demyelinated axons through inhibition of potassium channels. It works by strengthening the signals sent by the brain through nerves that have been damaged by multiple sclerosis (MS).

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take DALSTEP 10MG as advised by your physician. Swallow DALSTEP 10MG with a glass of water and do not chew, crush or dissolve the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DALSTEP 10MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Dizziness:

Try to rest and relax and get enough sleep. Try to avoid driving or operating any tools or machines while you are feeling dizzy. Limit your consumption of alcohol, as it can aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Headache:

If DALSTEP 10MG causes headache, then take rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try to avoid drinking alcohol. Ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller. Paracetamol is safe to be taken with DALSTEP 10MG. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking DALSTEP 10MG. If headaches last more than a week or severe, inform your doctor.

Nausea and vomiting:

Try to take DALSTEP 10MG with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

Constipation:

Try to eat more high-fiber foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try doing exercise regularly (going for a daily walk or run). If this does not help, inform your doctor for receiving alternate managements for constipation.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug Interactions:

Before taking DALSTEP 10MG, inform your doctor, if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• cimetidine (medicine used to manage stomach acidity and peptic ulcers)
• carvedilol (medicine used to manage high blood pressure),
• propranolol (medicine used to manage anxiety and prevent migraine)
• metformin (medicines used to manage high blood sugar)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of DALSTEP 10MG, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose are sweating, minor shaking, dizziness, confusion, memory loss and fits.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep the medicine out of reach in children
• Store DALSTEP 10MG at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT DALSTEP 10MG

What DALSTEP 10MG is used for?

DALSTEP 10MG is used to help improve walking in adult patients with multiple sclerosis related walking disability which is a type of long-lasting disease that affects your brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves in your eyes that results in problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions.

Is it safe to drive after taking DALSTEP 10MG?

DALSTEP 10MG may cause dizziness which could affect your ability to drive or operate machines. If you experience such side effects, do not drive or operate machines. Consult your doctor before taking DALSTEP 10MG.

How should you take DALSTEP 10MG?

Take DALSTEP 10MG as advised by your physician. Swallow DALSTEP 10MG with a glass of water and do not chew, crush or dissolve the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Who should not take DALSTEP 10MG?

DALSTEP 10MG is not recommended for use in patients with certain types of kidney problems and in patients who have or ever had seizures. It is also not used in patients who are allergic to Dalfampridine.

What side effects are seen with DALSTEP 10MG?

The most common side effects of taking DALSTEP 10MG are urinary tract infection, dizziness, headache, sore throat, nausea, and vomiting. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms gets worse.

REFERENCES

1. Allen C. Bowling. Symptom Management. Optimal Health with Multiple Sclerosis. Second edition. 2013. Page – 69.

2. Oregon Health and Science University. Dalfampridine for Imbalance in Multiple Sclerosis. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised in June 2014] [Accessed on 18th May 2022] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01444300

3. Carrie Hersh and Alex Rae-Grant. Extended-release dalfampridine in the management of multiple-sclerosis-related walking impairment. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. July 2012 [Accessed on 18th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3388528/

4. Teresa C. Frohman and Wanda Castro. Symptomatic therapy in multiple sclerosis. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PMC PubMed Central. March 2011 [Accessed on 18th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3105617/

5. Bethesda. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. November 2017 [Accessed on 18th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548455/

6. Alkermes Pharma Ireland Ltd. Electronic medicines compendium (EMC). [Revised in December 2021] [Accessed on 18th May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4763.pdf

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neuroaxis
• Analysis of the spinal fluid