Copaxone®
glatiramer acetate
Quick Facts
Copaxone® favors Th2 cells which quiet inflammation and help block T cells that damage myelin in the central nervous system.
Self-injected under the skin
Daily or three times per week, depending on dosage
Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary-progressive MS
Potential Benefit:
In clinical trials, Copaxone® was compared to placebo and showed:
- Approximately 29% fewer relapses
- 35-40% reduction in new and enlarging T2 lesions
- 40-45% reduction in gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions
Disability progression over 10 years was stable or improved.
Common Potential Side Effects
Nausea, injection site reactions. lipoatrophy (injection site indentations in the skin).
Prescription Assistance:
For assistance finding additional resources that might help cover the costs of your prescription, contact MSAA.
Hear from the Expert
Andrew H. Woo, MD, PhD
“I like to align with patients, engage them, and activate them with a plan.”
DRUGMAKER
Teva
HOW Copaxone® WORKS
Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate) is a synthetic protein that chemically resembles a protein found in myelin. Copaxone modifies immune processes that favor Th2 cells that quiet inflammation and blocks T cells that damage myelin in the central nervous system.
FDA-Approved
Copaxone® was FDA-approved in 1996. It is approved to treat relapsing forms of MS, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary-progressive disease, in adults.
Potential Side Effects
Injection-site skin reaction and occasional systemic reaction. This occurs at least once in about 10% of people tested. Possible reactions occur about 5-15 minutes after injection. Symptoms may include anxiety, dizziness, depression, flushing, palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath. Symptoms are typically short lived, do not affect your health and do not require specific intervention.
OTHER KEY INFORMATION
No testing is required before or while taking Copaxone®
This treatment is also available in generic form under the brand name Glatopa (developed by Sandoz) and as Generic Glatiramer Acetate (developed by Viatris). These generic options are administered in the same way and in the same dosage as Copaxone.
Patient advocates talk about
their treatment experience
-
Kristie Salerno Kent
“I have had situations where treatments aren’t approved at first. My doctors, nurses, they actually go to bat for me and made it happen.” -
Azure Antoinette
"I will be undergoing my first disease-modifying therapy to help treat multiple sclerosis in my body and while I’m very nervous, I am equally as excited and looking forward to the positive effects of how I will feel physically, and mentally, and emotionally." -
Damian Washington
“Nobody’s going to be looking out for your best interests better than you.” -
Cathy Chester
“I think it’s really important to talk about how to age with this illness.” -
Lauren Hutton-Work
“Just because you have this disease does not mean that your work life should be awkward or uncomfortable.” -
Chernise Joseph
“My first neurologist was a frontline neurologist, he wasn’t an MS specialist.” -
Julian Gamboa
“If you’re newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis remember it’s always okay to get a second opinion.” -
Lauren and Sam Alcorn
“Our future is uncertain and we have to enjoy each other and love each other in the present.” -
Shawn Feliciano
“I want to know what medications might work best for someone who’s Hispanic.” -
Darlene Feigen
“The sooner you get on a therapy the better it is in the long run.” -
Birgit Bauer
“At the end of the appointment you should have an answer to the most important questions.” -
Ellen Tutton
“I looked up all the different disease-modifying therapies and compared them to my lifestyle.” -
Victoria Marie Reese
“I’m trying to show my daughter that taking care of yourself is cool.”
×