Dalfampridine is a potassium channel blocker used for the improvement of motor function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This is the first drug that was specifically approved to help with mobility in these patients.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
In MS, axons are progressively demyelinated which exposes potassium channels. As a result, there is a leak of potassium ions which results in the repolarization of cells and a decrease in neuronal excitability. The overall impact is the impairment of neuromuscular transmission as it is harder to trigger an action potential. Dalfampridine inhibits voltage-gated potassium channels in the CNS to maintain the transmembrane potential and prolong action potential. In other words, dalfampridine works to make sure that the current available is high enough to stimulate conduction in demyelinated axons that are exposed in MS patients. Furthermore, it facilitates neuromuscular and synaptic transmission by relieving conduction blocks in demyelinated axons.
- Primary indication
- Dalfampridine is a neurofunctional modifier that helps improve walking speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).Curator reviewed · 1 structured indication
- Formula / weight
- C5H6N2 · 94.1145 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2020 · United States, 2010 · European Union, 2016
- Also known as
- 4-Aminopyridine · 4-Pyridylamine · 4AP · Fampridine
- Code names
- EL-970 · NSC-15041
- Brand names
Resolves to
NUKYPUAOHBNCPY-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESNC1=CC=NC=C1What you can answer from here — as of June 15, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Dalfampridine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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