Copaxone
Copaxone is a medicine used to reduce the number of flare-ups (relapses) in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Form
injektioneste, liuos, esitäytetty ruisku
Strength
40 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Glatiramer acetate
Manufacturer
Teva GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
One pre-filled syringe (40 mg) under the skin three times a week.
Method
Inject the needle under the skin and push the plunger all the way down to empty the medicine.
Important
Maximum one pre-filled syringe (40 mg) on the days of administration, with at least 48 hours between doses.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Infections, flu-like symptoms
- •Anxiety, depression
- •Headache
- •Feeling unwell
- •Rash, skin problems
- •Joint pain, back pain
- •Weakness, skin reactions at the injection site (like redness, pain, bumps, itching, swelling, inflammation, sensitivity), general pain
- •Respiratory infections, stomach flu, cold sores, ear infection, runny nose, tooth abscess, vaginal yeast infection
- •Benign skin growths, tissue growths, swollen lymph nodes
- •Allergic reactions
- •Loss of appetite, weight gain
- •Nervousness
- •Taste changes, increased muscle tension, migraine, speech problems, fainting, tremors
- •Double vision, eye problems, ear problems
- •Cough, hay fever
- •Anal/rectal problems, constipation, tooth decay, digestive issues, difficulty swallowing, fecal incontinence, vomiting
- •Changes in liver function tests
- •Bruising, excessive sweating, itching, neck pain
- •Urgent need to urinate, frequent urination, difficulty emptying bladder
- •Chills, facial swelling, decreased tissue under the skin at injection site, local reactions at injection site, swelling due to fluid buildup, fever
RARE
- •Abscess, skin/subcutaneous tissue inflammation, boils, shingles, kidney inflammation, skin cancer
- •Increased/decreased white blood cells, enlarged spleen, low platelets, changes in white blood cell form
- •Enlarged thyroid, overactive thyroid
- •Low alcohol tolerance, gout, high blood fat levels, high blood sodium, low ferritin, strange dreams, confusion, euphoria, hallucinations, aggression, abnormally elevated mood, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts
- •Numbness and pain in hands (carpal tunnel syndrome), mental health issues, seizures, difficulty writing or reading, muscle problems, movement disorders, muscle spasms, nerve inflammation, abnormal nerve-muscle function, involuntary rapid eye movements, paralysis, drop foot, decreased consciousness, visual field disturbances
- •Cataracts, corneal damage, dry eyes, eye bleeding, drooping eyelid, dilated pupil, optic nerve atrophy and resulting vision problems
- •Heart rhythm changes (extra heartbeats, slow heartbeats, intermittent rapid heartbeats)
- •Varicose veins
- •Breathing pauses, nosebleeds, abnormally fast/deep breathing (hyperventilation), throat tightness, lung problems, feeling of suffocation
- •Intestinal inflammation, colon polyps, belching, esophageal ulcers, gingivitis, rectal bleeding, enlarged salivary glands, gallstones, enlarged liver
- •Skin and soft tissue swelling, contact dermatitis, painful red skin nodules, skin nodules
- •Joint swelling, inflammation/pain in joints (arthritis/osteoarthritis), inflammation/pain in synovial membrane, flank pain, muscle wasting
- •Blood in urine, kidney stones, urinary tract problems, abnormal urine
- •Breast swelling, erectile dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, prolonged erection, prostate disease, abnormal Pap smear, testicular disease, vaginal bleeding, vaginal problems
- •Cysts, 'day-after' feeling, low body temperature (hypothermia), non-specific inflammation, tissue damage at injection site, mucous membrane problems, post-vaccination syndrome
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to glatiramer acetate or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- This medicine can cause severe, possibly life-threatening, allergic reactions. Seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms like widespread rash, swelling, or breathing difficulties.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney or heart problems, as you may need regular check-ups.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver problems (including those related to alcohol).
- Do not use this medicine if you are under 18 years old.
Show 5 more warnings
- Each pre-filled syringe is for single use only. Dispose of unused or leftover medicine properly.
- Do not mix Copaxone with any other medicine or take it at the same time as other medicines.
- Do not use the solution if it contains particles. Use a new syringe instead.
- Do not inject into areas that are painful, discolored, or have lumps or bumps.
- Do not stop using Copaxone without talking to your doctor.