Precautions
Glatiramer acetate injection is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
What is glatiramer acetate injection used for?
(glatiramer acetate injection) is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is a subcutaneous injection made with a nonpyrogenic solution, 20 mg or 40 mg of glatiramer acetate, and 40 mg of the inactive ingredient mannitol.
What is Revolut (glatiramer acetate injection)?
Glatiramer acetate (also known as Copolymer 1, Cop-1, or Copaxone) is an immunomodulator medication currently used to treat multiple sclerosis.
What is Copolymer 1 (glatiramer acetate)?
Glatiramer Acetate Injection 1 Brand Name: Glatiramer Acetate Injection (gla-TEER-a-mer ASS-i-tate) 2 Chemical Name: glatiramer acetate (therapeutic equivalent to Copaxone® 40mg/mL dose and 20 mg/mL dose) 3 Usage in MS: Disease-Modifying Agent 4 Generic Available: Yes
Is there a generic version of glatiramer acetate?
What does glatiramer acetate do for MS?
Glatiramer acetate is a drug with beneficial effects on the course of multiple sclerosis, reducing both relapse frequency and probably accumulation of deficit over time. The drug also has beneficial effects on MRI disease activity.
What is the action of glatiramer?
Glatiramer acetate demonstrates a strong promiscuous binding to major histocompatibility complex molecules and inhibits the T cell response to several myelin antigens. In addition, it was shown to act as a T cell receptor antagonist for the 82-100 MBP epitope.
How effective is glatiramer acetate?
MS drugs can be put into three groups based on how well they control it. The effectiveness of glatiramer acetate is classed as 'moderate', the least effective of the three groups. This is based on how much it reduces relapses and slows down how fast your disability gets worse.
Does glatiramer acetate suppress the immune system?
Because COPAXONE® is thought to modify the immune system, it may interfere with immune functions. There is no evidence that COPAXONE® reduces the body's normal immune response, but this has not been systematically evaluated.
What are the side effects of glatiramer acetate?
Side EffectsAnxiety.bleeding, hard lump, hives or welts, itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.chest pain.cough or hoarseness.excessive muscle tone.fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse.feeling of warmth.fever or chills.More items...•
Does glatiramer acetate cause blood clots?
Possible serious side effects include: Palpitations. Chest pain. Blood clots.
How long can you be on Copaxone?
Official answer. Copaxone is considered a long-term (life-long) treatment and should be administered for as long as it is effective or tolerated. Copaxone has shown to significantly reduce the number of relapses in people with MS. 34 to 56% were relapse-free after two years.
How long does MS meds take to work?
Medication for MS can take between 6 to 12 months to take effect. If you've been on your current treatment for less time, your doctor may recommend that you wait before considering a change.
How do you know if Copaxone is working?
Copaxone starts working soon after your first injection; however, it may take six to nine months to quantify its effects at reducing the number of relapses of MS. Your doctor will monitor the effectiveness of Copaxone by using MRI scans and recording the number of relapses you have each year.
How many lesions is alot for MS?
An “average” number of lesions on the initial brain MRI is between 10 and 15. However, even a few lesions are considered significant because even this small number of spots allows us to predict a diagnosis of MS and start treatment.
Can you drink alcohol while taking COPAXONE?
No known interactions exist between Copaxone and alcohol consumption. However, given that alcohol can interfere with some medications and disease symptoms, patients should discuss this topic with their healthcare provider.
Does COPAXONE help with fatigue?
Some studies suggest interferon-β (brand names, Avonex, Betaferon, Plegridy or Rebif) and glatiramer acetate (brand names, Copaxone or Glatopa) as effective DMTs to reduce fatigue.
What kind of drug is glatiramer?
Glatiramer is in a class of medications called immunomodulators. It works by stopping the body from damaging its own nerve cells (myelin).
What is the mechanism of action of Tecfidera?
Dimethyl fumarate is believed to act centrally by enhancing the nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcriptional pathway, which regulates enzymes to counter act oxidative stress .
What is the mechanism of action of fingolimod?
Fingolimod-phosphate initially activates lymphocyte S1P1 via high-affinity receptor binding, yet subsequently induces S1P1 down-regulation that prevents lymphocyte egress from lymphoid tissues, thereby reducing autoaggressive lymphocyte infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS).
What is the mechanism of action of cladribine?
Mechanism of Action The phosphorylated form of cladribine disrupts intracellular processes, inhibiting DNA synthesis/repair, ribonucleotide enzymes, and alternating endonuclease activity—low intracellular levels of cladribine increase phosphatase 5'-nucleotidase, which inactivates phosphorylated (active) cladribine.
What Do I Need to Tell My Doctor Before I Take Glatiramer Acetate?
1. If you have an allergy to glatiramer acetate or any other part of glatiramer acetate. 2. If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any oth...
What Are Some Things I Need to Know Or Do While I Take Glatiramer Acetate?
1. Tell all of your health care providers that you take glatiramer acetate. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. 2. You m...
How Is This Medicine (Glatiramer Acetate) Best Taken?
Use glatiramer acetate as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. 1. It is given as a shot into...
What Are Some Side Effects That I Need to Call My Doctor About Right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor o...
What Are Some Other Side Effects of Glatiramer Acetate?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help i...
How Do I Store and/or Throw Out Glatiramer Acetate?
1. Store in a refrigerator or at room temperature. If stored at room temperature, throw away any part not used after 1 month. 2. Do not freeze. 3....
What is glatiramer acetate used for?
Glatiramer acetate (also known as Copolymer 1, Cop-1 ), sold under the brand name Copaxone among others, is an immunomodulator medication used to treat multiple sclerosis. Glatiramer acetate is approved in the United States to reduce the frequency of relapses, but not for reducing the progression of disability. Observational studies, but not randomized controlled trials, suggest that it may reduce progression of disability. While a conclusive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis requires a history of two or more episodes of symptoms and signs, glatiramer acetate is approved to treat a first episode anticipating a diagnosis. It is also used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It is administered by subcutaneous injection.
When was glatiramer acetate first approved?
Glatiramer acetate was approved for marketing in the U.K. in August 2000, and launched in December. This first approval in a major European market led to approval across the European Union under the mutual recognition procedure . Iran is proceeding with domestic manufacture of glatiramer acetate.
What is the name of the medication used to treat multiple sclerosis?
Glatiramer acetate. Glatiramer acetate (also known as Copolymer 1, Cop-1 ), sold under the brand name Copaxone among others, is an immunomodulator medication used to treat multiple sclerosis. Glatiramer acetate is approved in the United States to reduce the frequency of relapses, but not for reducing the progression of disability.
Where was latiramer acetate discovered?
Glatiramer acetate was originally discovered at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Three main clinical trials followed to demonstrate safety and efficacy: The first trial was performed in a single center, double-blind, placebo controlled trial and included 50 patients. The second trial was a two-year, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial and involved 251 patients. The third trial was a double-blind MRI study involving participation of 239 patients.
Does glatiramer acetate cause liver problems?
More serious side effects have been reported for glatiramer acetate, according to the FDA's prescribing label, these include serious side effects to the cardiovascular, digestive (including the liver), hematopoietic, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, and urogenital systems as well as special senses (in particular the eyes). Metabolic and nutritional disorders have also been reported; however a link between glatiramer acetate and these adverse effects has not been established.
Does glatiramer acetate reduce relapse?
A 2010 Cochrane review concluded that glatiramer acetate had partial efficacy in "relapse-related clinical outcomes" but no effect on progression of the disease. As a result, it is approved by the FDA for reducing the frequency of relapses, but not for reducing the progression of disability.
Is glatiramer acetate a relapsing sclerosis drug?
While a conclusive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis requires a history of two or more episodes of symptoms and signs, glatiramer acetate is approved to treat a first episode anticipating a diagnosis. It is also used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It is administered by subcutaneous injection.
What is glatiramer acetate?
Glatiramer acetate injection is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
How much glatiramer acetate is needed for a syringe?
Glatiramer acetate injection is an FDA-approved therapeutic equivalent to Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate injection) available in two dose strengths: 40 mg/mL for 3-times-a-week injection and 20 mg/mL for one-daily injection.
What are the side effects of glatiramer?
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking glatiramer: More common. Anxiety. bleeding, hard lump, hives or welts, itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. chest pain. cough or hoarseness. excessive muscle tone.
Does glatiramer need medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of glatiramer may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Does glatiramer cause chest pain?
Commonly reported side effects of glatiramer include: anxiety, chest pain, dyspnea, lymphadenopathy, palpitations, post-injection flare, urticaria, vasodilation, flushing, erythema at injection site, induration at injection site, inflammation at injection site, itching at injection site, and pain at injection site. Other side effects include: eye disease, facial edema, laryngospasm, and chills. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Overview
This medication is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).
May Treat: Relapsing form of multiple sclerosis · Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Brand Names: Copaxone · Glatopa
Drug Class: Multiple Sclerosis Agent - Others
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Does not adversely affect lactation
- If available, read the patient package insert
- Prepare carefully as you have been shown
- Rotate under-the-skin sites of injections.
- If available, read the patient package insert
- Prepare carefully as you have been shown
- Rotate under-the-skin sites of injections.
- Redness/pain/swelling may occur at injection site.
- Tell doctor if chest pain occurs
- Call MD if new abdominal pain/yellowing eyes/skin
- Use once and discard any extra medicine.
- Learn how to properly store your medicine.
History
Medical uses
Adverse effects
Mechanism of action
Glatiramer acetate (also known as Copolymer 1, Cop-1), sold under the brand name Copaxone among others, is an immunomodulator medication used to treat multiple sclerosis. Glatiramer acetate is approved in the United States to reduce the frequency of relapses, but not for reducing the progression of disability. Observational studies, but not randomized controlled trials, suggest that it ma…
Society and culture
Glatiramer acetate was originally discovered at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Three main clinical trials followed to demonstrate safety and efficacy: The first trial was performed in a single center, double-blind, placebo controlled trial and included 50 patients. The second trial was a two-year, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial and involved 251 patients. The third trial was a double-blind MRI study involving participation of 239 patients.
Further reading
Glatiramer acetate is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.
A 2010 Cochrane review concluded that glatiramer acetate had partial efficacy in "relapse-related clinical outcomes" but no effect on progression of the disease. As a result, it is approved by the …