Drug updated on 5/17/2024
Dosage Form | Tablet (oral; 10 mg) |
Drug Class | Potassium channel blockers |
Ongoing and Completed Studies | ClinicalTrials.gov |
Indication
- Indicated for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
Latest News
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Summary
- Amifampridine (Firdapse) is indicated for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older. It has shown significant improvement in muscle strength as measured by the QMG score, compound muscle action potentials amplitude, and in managing LEMS symptoms.
- Four systematic reviews/meta-analyses have been analyzed to gather information on Firdapse's effectiveness against LEMS.
- Amifampridine is generally well tolerated with minimal adverse effects. Common but tolerable side effects include peri-oral and finger paresthesia, along with gastrointestinal reactions.
- Doses below 80 mg/day are recommended to mitigate the risk of serious side reactions, like seizures, indicating a manageable safety profile when dose management guidelines are followed.
- While most studies have primarily addressed adults with LEMS, its indication for use in pediatric patients aged 6 years or older suggests its evaluation across a broader age range.
- Compared to alternative treatments such as earlier forms like 3,4-DAP (not the salt form), amifampridine stands out due to its efficacy over placebo trials, making it an effective first-line treatment option for both adult and pediatric populations suffering from LEMS.
Product Monograph / Prescribing Information
Document Title | Year | Source |
---|---|---|
Firdapse (amifampridine) Prescribing Information. | 2023 | Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Coral Gables, FL |
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
Document Title | Year | Source |
---|---|---|
3,4-diaminopyridine treatment for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. | 2021 | BMC Neurology |
Amifampridine for the management of lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome: a new take on an old drug. | 2020 | Annals of Pharmacotherapy |
Amifampridine for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. | 2019 | Expert Review of Clinical Immunology |
Amifampridine tablets for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. | 2019 | Expert Review of Clinical Immunology |
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Document Title | Year | Source |
---|---|---|
Guideline for the management of myasthenic syndromes. | 2023 | Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders |
Update in the management of myasthenia gravis and lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome. | 2021 | Neurologic Clinics |