Pronunciation: gla-TIR-a-mer
Generic Name: Glatiramer
Brand Name: Copaxone
Copaxone is used for:
Reducing the frequency of relapses in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).
Copaxone is a polypeptide mixture. How Copaxone works is not fully understood. However, it is thought to act by changing immune processes responsible for the effects of multiple sclerosis.
Do NOT use Copaxone if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Copaxone or to mannitol
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Copaxone:
Some medical conditions may interact with Copaxone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Copaxone. However, no specific interactions with Copaxone are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Copaxone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Copaxone:
Use Copaxone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Copaxone. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Copaxone is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Copaxone at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Copaxone. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Do not use Copaxone if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Copaxone is only to be injected beneath the skin. Do not inject it into a vein.
- Rotate your injection site every day. This will help to decrease the risk of skin damage at the injection site.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- Copaxone works best if it is given at the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose of Copaxone, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Copaxone.
Important safety information:
- Copaxone may cause dizziness or vision changes. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Copaxone with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Copaxone should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Copaxone while you are pregnant. It is not known if Copaxone is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Copaxone, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Copaxone:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Anxiety; back pain; flushing; headache; mild redness, pain, itching, or a lump at the injection site; nausea; vomiting; weakness; weight gain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal thinking; chest pain or tightness; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; persistent flushing or anxiety; pounding in the chest; severe pain, redness, or swelling at injection site; shortness of breath; skin hardening, thinning, or color change at the injection site; sweating; tightness in the throat; tremor; unusual swelling; vaginal odor, discharge, or itching.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Copaxone side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Copaxone:
Store Copaxone in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Copaxone may be stored between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) for up to 1 month. Protect from light. Keep Copaxone out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Copaxone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Copaxone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Copaxone. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Copaxone resources
- Copaxone Side Effects (in more detail)
- Copaxone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Copaxone Drug Interactions
- Copaxone Support Group
- 29 Reviews for Copaxone - Add your own review/rating
- Copaxone Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Copaxone Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Copaxone Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Copaxone Consumer Overview
Compare Copaxone with other medications
- Multiple Sclerosis
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