Ampyra: A Generic for the MS ‘Walking Drug’ Wins a Round in Court

As Ampyra is essentially the chemical that was used to kill birds at airports, I found the drug caused greater problems in my MS after an initial improvement in walking speed. That made sense once I new what I was ingesting. I will never take Ampyra again. It took weeks to get the drug side effects cleaned from my body and I almost thought I had set myself back 6 years from good exercise and other non-drug efforts. Thankfully, my brain and other organs recovered and I was out of the fog and able to walk
again, albeit slower.

Hi there,
I stated taking Ampyra a few months ago. I assumed I didn't qualify for patient assistance too so I was paying $200/month though my private insurance from my job. I called Acorda and was told that the only requirement for patient assistance is having private insurance through your employer. I worked with Acorda and am now getting my Ampyra for $40/month. My specialty pharmacy also credited me back the $160 for each month prior that I paid the $200 co-pay. Wasn't sure if you might also be able to get this price but wanted to share the info.

"Medical innovation depends on the recognition of valid intellectual property claims"

The cure and life improvement depends on people who want to earn millions forever.

Acorda is a good example of how the pharmaceutical industry work. I'm pretty sure I'll never read the headline "Acorda finds the cure for MS"

I'm surprised more people aren't taking the generic, compounded version.
I'd love to see a drug company release a generic Ampyra, since I'd prefer not to take it three times a day, but at $35 (obviously insurance doesn't handle it) you can't beat it!
I'm not eligible for any of their copay assistance programs since I'm on Medicare.

Does anyone get back pain and numbness in legs? Thank you.

I took the compounded version, made for me by compounding pharmacy before Ampyra became an "expensive " drug. Cost was very low. After it became a drug my neurologist said he couldn't write prescription for compounded version unless Ampyra didn't work. Ampyra gives me ability to walk with a cane, helps my arms function better so I work full time. I can't take night time dose due to feeling restless legs so I was thinking of asking neurologist if I could retry compounded version at night just to see the effect.

I took Ampyra for several years, it was a wonder drug for me. I defiantly knew if I missed a dose. I was paying about $30.00 a month. I stopped taking it because I had HSCT a year ago. I also started Medicare. I am no longer covered for it and it is over $500.00 a month. I call several co-assist foundations every week but there is no money:( I hope a generic will be approved.

AMPYRA is the ONLY reason I was able to go back to work with Primary Progressive MS. I don't want to think about not having it. It makes a huge difference for me. I'm one of the lucky ones. Glad there may be a generic. I could go mail order $12 For 3 month supply.

Generic doesn't always mean cheaper for the patient. Copaxone just went generic. It was purchased my Meylin (remember how much they started price gouging for Epi Pens last year?). For the patient, it means that there is little or no co-pay assistance, the in-home nurse trainers and support are gone, and the auto-injector devises many patients use require a separate prescription and authorization process. We are actually seeing an INCREASE in cost to the majority of patients. Generic doesn't mean cheaper for the patient. It often just means a transfer money to another manufacturer.

So now that Ampyra has lost its patent, how long before the generic hits the market? I’ve read that it might take anywhere from one to ten months. This is the only medication that keeps me walking, writing and speaking. I had lost all of these before starting this drug. If the generic does not hit the market soon, I will be nursing home bound in a few short months. HELP!

I went to fill my 3 month prescription of Ampyra last week and was told the cost would be $3,791.58. I also have been researching financial assistence. I was told to try to purchase it in Canada. Was curious if anyone had purchased theirs in another country.

Hi Katie. It's similar for our family. In 2018, Ampyra for my mother has moved up to $1200 a month AFTER the patient assistance program has been applied. Unfortunately its no longer affordable at nearly $15,000 a year.

My husband was kicked off the Ampyra Assistance program end of 2017. Ampyra said everyone on the program will get kicked off. As the drug goes generic in 2018. No one knows what date that will be. Or how much generic price will be. Right now on his insurance it's to expensive. It could be 700$ a month.

I just noticed my mail order pharmacy is filling my new prescription for Ampyra with the generic - Dalfampridine. I recently spoke to a representative at Accorda and they led me to believe they're making the generic as well. I'm starting Medicare in a few months and saw that the co-pay cost of Ampyra is enormous. I'm curious if the generic will make it much more affordable.

For a 3 month supply of Ampyra, my plan paid 7789.48. For a 3 month supply of the generic, it's $4665.13. I don't know what that means when I start on Medicare in a few months. I tried to price Dalfampridine on medicare.gov, but I couldn't find it.

I suffer from restless legs usually controlled by Norco. Last night I had breakthrough rls after just starting Ampyra. Has this happened to anyone else? I had only taken one in the morning.

Does any anyone take this with a history of seizures?