3,4-Diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP)

What is this 3,4-Diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP)?

3,4-DAP is a medicine that helps your child's nerves send messages to parts of the body. It may be helpful for children with multiple sclerosis, congenital myasthenic syndromes, or other conditions in which the nerves do not work well. 3,4-DAP may help increase strength and allow the muscles to work longer. It may decrease muscle tightness, or spasticity.

How should you give your child this medicine?

Follow these instructions when you give your child 3,4-DAP:

• Give your child 3,4-DAP exactly as your doctor or your pharmacist tells you.
• Have your child take 3,4-DAP with ​food or milk if the medicine causes an upset stomach.
• 3,4-DAP is made into capsules which your child should try to swallow whole.

If your child cannot take the capsule whole, you must follow the instructions below:

1. Work in an area with no drafts and without a lot of activity. Place a large clear plastic bag on a flat surface. Place a small cup containing a small amount of soft food inside the bag.
2. Wear disposable gloves that allow you to work with your fingers inside the plastic bag.
3. Open the capsule inside the plastic bag.
4. Mix the contents of the capsule with the food.
5. Give all the medicine mixture to your child.
6. Remove the gloves and wash your hands with soap and water.
   

What should you do if your child misses a dose?

If your child misses a dose of 3,4-DAP:

• ​Give your child the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• Give your child the next dose no sooner than 4 hours after the last dose.
• Give your child only 1 dose at a time.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take 3,4-DAP. But usually your child will not n​eed to s​ee a doctor about them.

These side effects may go away as your child's body gets used to 3,4-DAP. Call your child's contact nurse or doctor if your child has any of these signs, or symptoms, and they do not go away, or if they bother your child:

• stomach upset
• trouble falling asleep
• extra salivation (spit)
• dizziness, light head
• extra sweating
• eyes sensitive to the sun
• numbness around the mouth or fingertips

Most of these side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these signs:

• seizures
• confusion

What other important information should you know about this medicine?

• Other medicines may not work well with 3,4-DAP. Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicines, even medicines that you can buy without a doctor's order (prescription).
• Most people taking 3,4-DAP feel a tingling sensation in their fingers or toes or around the mouth after taking a dose. You don't need to call your child's doctor about this.
• If you get any 3,4-DAP on your clothing, remove your clothes and wash them as soon as possible.
• 3,4-DAP has not been licensed for use in Canada and has been supplied just for your child. Make sure you have enough 3,4-DAP for weekends and holidays. Call your pharmacy for a new supply one week before you will run out.
  

Keep 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-dap) out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-dap), call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.