Copaxone injection contains the active ingredient glatiramer acetate, which is a type of medicine called an immunomodulator. Glatiramer acetate consists of synthetic polypeptides that are made up of four naturally occurring amino acids: L- glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine and L-lysine.
Copaxone is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). In some people, this disease follows a course of relapse and remission, where symptoms worsen for a while, then improve before worsening again. It is these people who can benefit from treatment with Copaxone.
It is not fully understood how glatiramer works in MS, because the disease and its cause are not fully understood. However, it is thought to act on the processes in the immune system that are currently believed to be responsible for causing the disease.
The medicine helps to reduce the frequency of the relapses. However, it has not been shown to reduce the severity or duration of the relapses, or to have any effect on the overall progression of disability in people with relapsing-remitting MS.
Copaxone is not effective in all people with multiple sclerosis. It should only be started by a neurologist or specialist in MS.
Copaxone is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneously) once daily. The injection comes as pre-filled syringes and you will be taught how to administer the injection yourself. Sites to use include the abdomen, arms, hips and thighs, and a different site should be used every day.
It is not known how long treatment should be continued for. You will need to have regular check-ups with your specialist after starting treatment to make sure the medicine is still producing a benefit.
The medicine is licensed for reducing the frequency of relapses in this group of people.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The effect of this medicine on other medicines has not been formally studied.
It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while using this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
You may be more likely to experience injection site reactions if you are being treated with corticosteroids in combination with this medicine.
There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain glatiramer acetate as the active ingredient.