COPAXONE (glatiramer)

What is it: It is an Immunological Agent

Use: Glatiramer injection is used to reduce the frequency of relapses (flare-ups) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RMMS). This medicine will not cure multiple sclerosis (MS), but may extend the time between relapses.

Serious Side Effects: Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:More common: anxiety; bleeding, hard lump, hives or welts, itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the place of injection; chest pain; cough; excessive muscle tone; fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse; flushing; joint pain; lower back or side pain; neck pain; painful or difficult urination; skin rash; swelling or puffiness of the face; swollen lymph glands; swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin; troubled breathing. Less common: agitation; bloating or swelling; chills; confusion; difficulty with swallowing; fainting; fever; headache, severe and throbbing; itching of the vagina or outside genitals; muscle aches; pain; pain during sexual intercourse; purple spots under the skin; rapid weight gain; red streaks on the skin; shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet; small lumps under the skin; spasm of the throat; strong urge to urinate; swelling of the fingers, arms, feet, or legs; swelling or puffiness of the face; thick, white curd-like vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor; tightness in the chest or wheezing; tingling of the hands or feet; trembling or shaking of the hands or feet; unusual weight gain or loss

Common Side Effects: Increased sweating; lack or loss of strength; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting

Directions: Before you self-inject the glatiramer dose, decide where you will inject yourself. There are seven possible injection sites on your body (e.g., arms, thighs, hips, or lower abdomen or stomach area), and you should not use any site more than once each week. Marking a calendar will help you keep track of the sites you have used each day. Try to be consistent and give yourself the injection at the same time each day. Choose a time when you feel strongest. Also, do not inject the medicine in a part of the skin that is depressed.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

This medicine may cause a permanent depression under the skin at the injection site. Contact your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects at the injection site: depressed or indented skin; blue-green to black skin discoloration; or pain, redness, or sloughing (peeling) of the skin.

Storage: Pre prefilled syringes or vials of interferon beta-1a in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If refrigeration is not available, the vials that have not been mixed with diluent may be kept for up to 30 days at room temperature, as long as the temperature does not go above 77 °F.

If You Miss a Dose: Take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. The next injection should be scheduled at least 48 hours later.  Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Do not double a dose. This can be toxic. Keep out of reach of children and pets