or is a medication used in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to help make walking easier for them. doesn’t work to help MS symptoms from getting worse, nor will it impede the progression of the disease, but it will help improve patients’ mobility.
How Does Work?
works by making the electrical signals moving along the nerves in the brain and spinal cord move more easily. Normally, nerves have a protective coating—called myelin—that zaps signals all around the body, signaling its movements. In patients with MS, myelin becomes damaged and so the muscles don’t receive proper signaling for when and how to move. is meant to improve this function.
works by restoring the speedy movement of the nerve signals, allowing the nerves to send them more effectively.
Patients will require a prescription from their doctor to start taking . It is taken orally twice a day, 12 hours apart. Pills cannot be taken at the same time nor can more than two pills be taken over the course of 24 hours. can be taken with or without food. The pills should be swallowed whole rather than broken, chewed, crushed, or dissolved. Breaking, chewing, crushing, or dissolving the pill before you take it could cause the medication to be released too fast, leading to a seizure.
The most common side effects of taking include:
- trouble sleeping
- urinary tract infections
- nausea
- headaches
- dizziness
- back pain
- weakness
- irritation of the throat or nose, or a sore throat
- balance issues
- constipation or diarrhea
- indigestion
- burning, itching, or tingling in the skin
Another potential side effect is relapsing of the patient’s MS.
Speak to your doctor or to a healthcare professional to find out whether is the right course of treatment for you.
Featured image: michaklootwijk via DepositPhotos