Copaxone
Copaxone is a medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) by affecting how the body's immune system works.
Form
injektioneste, liuos, esitäytetty ruisku
Strength
20 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Glatiramer acetate
Manufacturer
Teva GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
One pre-filled syringe (20 mg) once daily.
Method
By injection under the skin.
Important
One syringe per day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Infections (like flu, chest infections, stomach upset, cold sores, ear infections, runny nose, dental abscess, vaginal yeast infection)
- •Feeling anxious or down
- •Headache
- •Feeling unwell or weak
- •Rash, itching, hives, and other skin problems
- •Joint or back pain
- •Reactions at the injection site, like redness, pain, bumps, itching, swelling, inflammation, or less tissue under the skin
- •Swollen lymph nodes
- •Allergic reactions (mild)
- •Loss of appetite, weight gain
- •Nervousness
- •Changes in taste, stiff muscles, migraine, speech problems, fainting, or shaking
- •Eye or ear problems (like double vision)
- •Cough, hay fever
- •Constipation, tooth decay, stomach problems, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, or trouble controlling bowels
- •Bruising, sweating a lot
- •Neck pain
- •Urgent need to pee, peeing often, or difficulty peeing
- •Chills, facial swelling, or fever
- •Swelling from fluid buildup
- •Benign skin or tissue growths
- •Changes in liver test results
RARE
- •Abscesses, skin inflammation, boils, shingles, kidney inflammation, or skin cancer
- •Changes in blood cells (like white blood cells or platelets), or an enlarged spleen
- •Thyroid issues (like an enlarged or overactive thyroid)
- •Low alcohol tolerance, gout, or changes in blood fat or sodium levels
- •Abnormal dreams, confusion, feeling overly happy, seeing/hearing things that aren't real (hallucinations), aggression, personality changes, or thoughts of harming oneself
- •Numbness or pain in hands (carpal tunnel syndrome), mental health problems, seizures, difficulty writing or reading, muscle problems, movement problems, nerve inflammation, paralysis, changes in awareness, or blind spots in vision
- •Eye issues like cataracts, corneal damage, dry eyes, eye bleeding, drooping eyelid, dilated pupils, optic nerve damage, or changes in vision
- •Heart rhythm problems (like extra, slow, or fast heartbeats) or varicose veins
- •Breathing problems (like pauses in breathing, nosebleeds, very fast or deep breathing, throat spasms, lung problems, or feeling like choking)
- •Digestive issues (like colon inflammation, polyps, intestinal inflammation, burping, esophageal ulcers, gum inflammation, rectal bleeding, or enlarged salivary glands), gallstones, or an enlarged liver
- •Swelling of skin and soft tissues, contact rash, painful red skin lumps, joint swelling, inflammation and pain (arthritis), fluid-filled sacs around joints, rib pain, or muscle loss
- •Blood in urine, kidney stones, or other urinary tract problems
- •Reproductive issues (like breast swelling, erection problems, pelvic organ prolapse, prostate issues, abnormal PAPA test, testicular issues, vaginal bleeding or problems)
- •Cysts, hangover-like symptoms, low body temperature, inflammation (not specific), tissue damage at injection site, problems with mucous membranes, or post-vaccination symptoms
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to glatiramer acetate or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Stop using Copaxone and seek immediate medical help if you experience sudden severe allergic reactions such as widespread rash, swelling of the face/throat, difficulty breathing, or fainting.
- Discuss with your doctor if you have kidney, heart, or liver problems.
- Copaxone should not be used in children under 12 years of age.
- Do not mix Copaxone with other medicines or use if the solution contains particles.