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MORE INFORMATION ON: COPAXONE

NOTICE:  For your convenience we copied key information from each product's site and have provided it here, with some content edited to make it more readable.

Glatiramer belongs to a group of medications known as immunomodulators. Immunomodulators modify the way our body's defense system works.

Glatiramer is used to treat the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a disease that affects the way the nerves in our body work. It is an autoimmune disease (the immune system attacks the body), and cannot be spread from person to person. In MS, damage occurs to the myelin sheath, a protective layer that wraps around a nerve, like insulation around electrical wiring. Normally, this sheath allows electrical messages to be sent down the nerve quickly and efficiently. If this insulation is injured, electrical signals in the central nervous system will not be sent properly. For unknown reasons, in MS, the immune system sees the myelin as foreign and intentionally attacks it.

Glatiramer is thought to help treat multiple sclerosis by altering the immune system in such a way that its harmful effects on the myelin sheath are reduced. It does not cure MS, but it may increase the time between relapses of the disease.

Your doctor may choose to use this medication for other conditions not listed here. If you're unsure why you are using this medication, please ask your doctor.

The recommended dose of glatiramer is 20 mg subcutaneously (under the skin) once a day. Glatiramer is available as an injection only. There are special patient directions in the box that the injection comes in. Read these directions carefully before using the medication and follow them closely. If you fail to follow the instructions closely, you may accidentally contaminate the medication or needle and give yourself an infection, or you may damage the equipment or lose medication.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the one above, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double-up doses.

Store the medication vials in a refrigerator. If a refrigerator is not available, they may be kept for up to 14 days at room temperature. The diluent should be stored at room temperature. Store this medication away from direct light and keep it out of the reach of children.

Copaxone® is available as a 20 mg dose of sterile lyophilized glatiramer acetate with mannitol (dry), packaged in single use 2 mL vials. A separate vial, containing 1.1 mL of diluent (Sterile Water for Injection) plus 0.1 mL extra diluent, is included in the Self Injection Administration Package for each vial of drug. Copaxone is available in packs of 32 amber vials of medication and 32 clear vials of diluent. This product does not contain starch, lactose, yeast, or gluten.

Glatiramer acetate should not be used by anyone allergic to glatiramer or mannitol.

The most common side effects of glatiramer acetate occur at the site of injection and may include:

redness
pain
inflammation
itching
a lump

Some people have a rare reaction that starts immediately after the injection and consists of flushing, chest tightness with racing or pounding heartbeat, anxiety, and difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of this reaction usually last about fifteen minutes and go away without further problems. However, if you experience dizziness, hives and itching, sweating, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, or other uncomfortable changes in your general health, contact a doctor immediately.

The following side effects may go away as your body becomes used to the medicine; check with your doctor if they continue or become bothersome.

More common (greater than 10%)

increased sweating
nausea
trembling
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common (1% to 10%)

runny nose
weight gain
sun sensitivity
abnormal dreams
Call your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common (greater than 10%)

anxiety
bleeding, hard lump, hives or welts, itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the place of injection
chest pain
excessive muscle tone
flushing
irregular or pounding heartbeat
joint pain
neck pain
swelling or puffiness of face
swollen lymph glands
troubled breathing
vaginal yeast infection
Less common (1% to 10%)

agitation
bloating or swelling
chills
confusion
fainting
fever
infections
migraine
muscle aches
pain
purple spots under the skin
skin rash
small lumps under the skin
spasm of throat
strong urge to urinate
swelling of fingers, arms, feet or legs
tightness in chest or wheezing
Rare (less than 1%)

back pain
blood in urine
continuous uncontrolled back-and-forth or rolling eye movements
decreased sexual ability
diarrhea
ear pain
fast breathing
fast or racing heartbeat
high blood pressure
irritation of mouth and tongue (thrush)
loss of appetite
menstrual pain or changes
sensation of motion, usually whirling, either of oneself or of one's surroundings
speech problems
vision problems
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Reduced kidney function: Glatiramer has not been studied with people with reduced kidney function.

Vaccination: Glatiramer can modify the human immune response and could interfere with useful immune function. People taking this medication should be cautious when getting vaccinated.

Immunosuppression (weak immune system): Glatiramer can modify the human immune response and could interfere with useful immune function. People with a suppressed or reduced immune system should be cautious when taking this medication.

Pregnancy: Glatiramer has not been adequately studied with pregnant women. It should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Breast-feeding: It is not known whether glatiramer is excreted in breast milk. It is not recommended for breast-feeding mothers unless the expected benefits outweigh the risks.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of glatiramer have not been established for people below the age of 18 years.

Older adults: Glatiramer has not been studied with people older than 65 years.

Drug interactions with glatiramer have not been studied at length. Available information indicates that this drug does not interact with other drugs commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, decongestants, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

stop taking one of the medications,
change one of the medications to another,
change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

1 Based on information obtained from manufacturer's/retailer's website.
2 Reflects approximately average retail price as provided by popular online drugstores and other supplement outlets.
3 Reflects approximately average shipping costs as provided by popular online drugstores and other supplement outlets.
4 Our opinion only, not based on statistical analysis of study results supplied by manufacturer or other source.
5 Based on our opinion only, calculated by considering its price, shipping costs, efficacy, ingredients/content, value or any combination of the categories.