New MS Drug

So many people with Multiple Sclerosis have to deal with a lack of movement and daily injections. The FDA has now approved a new oral drug for MS that will hopefully be of help for many. According to CNN News:

Two phase III clinical trials of Ampyra showed 35 and 43 percent of patients experienced, on average, a consistent improvement in their walking speed, increasing it by about 25 percent.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, even a modest improvement in walking ability could mean that thousands of people could benefit from the drug.

Dr. John Richert, executive vice president of Research & Clinical Programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, says the drug can be used by most people with MS. However, the drug is not for people with a history of seizures or people who have moderate to severe kidney disease.

Richert says approval means patients can now skip the compounding pharmacy and get a consistent, exact dosage in a guaranteed time-released formula, which would lower the risk of getting a toxic dose instead of a therapeutic dose.

Drugs work differently for different people, but hopefully this new oral medication will help many in allowing more to be ambulatory and give them back their independence.