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Overview: Glatiramer acetate is used to treat multiple sclerosis. It seems to protect nerve cells from damage. Common side effects include injection site reactions, rash, shortness of breath, flushing, and chest pain.

Uses

What is glatiramer acetate used for?

Glatiramer acetate is commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic condition where the immune system attacks and damages the protective coating around nerve cells, making it harder for the brain and body to work together. This can cause symptoms such as trouble walking, fatigue, muscle weakness, numbness, and vision and memory problems. Glatiramer acetate can treat the following relapsing forms of MS. 

  • Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
  • Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
  • Active secondary progressive MS (SPMS)

Glatiramer acetate may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does glatiramer acetate work (mechanism of action)?

Glatiramer is thought to affect the immune system and help protect nerve cells from damage.

How is glatiramer acetate supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Copaxone
  • Glatopa

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 20 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL solution for injection
  • 20 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL single-dose, prefilled syringe

How should I store glatiramer acetate?

Glatiramer acetate should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). If needed, you can store glatiramer acetate at room temperature, between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for up to one month. Keep the medicine away from intense light and higher temperatures. Do not freeze the medicine.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of glatiramer acetate?

The most common side effects of glatiramer acetate are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Pain, itching, swelling, redness, or lumps near the injection site
  • Rash
  • Shortness of breath
  • Flushing
  • Chest pain (see below)

There may be other side effects of glatiramer acetate that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of glatiramer acetate?

While less common, the most serious side effects of glatiramer acetate are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Glatiramer acetate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using glatiramer acetate and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Immediate Post-Injection Reactions. Glatiramer acetate may cause immediate post-injection reactions, which are serious side effects that can happen right after you inject the medicine or within a few minutes after your injection. If you have any of the following symptoms of an immediate post-injection reaction, call your health care provider right away. Do not use glatiramer acetate again unless your health care provider tells you to.

  • Flushing or redness in the cheeks or other parts of the body
  • Chest pain
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Anxiety
  • Trouble breathing
  • Tightness in your throat
  • Swelling, rash, hives, or itching

Chest Pain. Glatiramer acetate can cause chest pain. This can be part of an immediate post-injection reaction (see above) or it can happen by itself. The pain typically begins around one month after you start using glatiramer acetate and lasts several minutes. Call your health care provider right away if you have chest pain while using this medicine. 

Skin or Tissue Damage. Glatiramer acetate can cause damage to your skin, including damage to fatty tissue just under the surface of your skin (lipoatrophy). This can cause a dent at the site where you inject your medicine, which may not go away. In rare cases, skin tissue death (necrosis) may occur. To reduce your risk of skin damage, use glatiramer acetate exactly as instructed by your health care provider, and use a different injection area each time you inject your medicine.  

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking glatiramer acetate. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)

Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use glatiramer acetate?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use glatiramer acetate.

  • Copaxone
  • Glatiramer acetate
  • Glatopa
  • Mannitol
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific glatiramer acetate products they stock.

What should I know about glatiramer acetate before using it?

Do not use glatiramer acetate unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share glatiramer acetate with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep glatiramer acetate out of the reach of children. When storing this medicine in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

This medicine is injected under the skin. Your first dose of glatiramer acetate will be administered under the supervision of a health care provider, who will teach you or a caregiver how to properly prepare and use glatiramer acetate. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

There may be an autoinjector available to help you with glatiramer acetate dosing. Read and follow the instructions for use with your specific prescription, as autoinjectors may not be interchangeable. Talk to your pharmacist about autoinjectors if you have any questions.

Before your injection, let the syringe stay at room temperature for 20 minutes. Check the liquid in the syringe to make sure it is clear and colorless to slightly yellow. If there are any particles in the liquid, or if the liquid is discolored, throw out the syringe in a sharps disposal container. Each syringe is for one use only. Do not reuse needles or syringes.

Glatiramer acetate is injected under the skin. See the Instructions for Use for pictures that show injection sites. To avoid skin problems, rotate injection sites by using a different area or spot each time. Keep track of your injection sites with each injection, so you can be sure to rotate them. You can ask your health care provider for advice on the best injection sites for you.

What should I tell my health care provider before using glatiramer acetate?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if glatiramer acetate is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how glatiramer acetate could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if glatiramer acetate passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use glatiramer acetate while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does glatiramer acetate interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between glatiramer acetate and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect glatiramer acetate, but both glatiramer acetate and alcohol can cause liver damage. It is likely best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking glatiramer acetate.

Does glatiramer acetate interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between glatiramer acetate and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much glatiramer acetate?

If you or someone else has used too much glatiramer acetate, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of glatiramer acetate?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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