Key takeaways:
Copaxone and Glatopa are injectable forms of glatiramer that treat multiple sclerosis. Copaxone is the brand-name drug, while Glatopa is an FDA-approved generic version.
Copaxone and Glatopa work the same way and are considered equally effective. They also share similar side effects, including injection-site reactions, flushing, and nausea.
Glatopa is usually more affordable because it’s a generic medication. Your prescriber and specialty pharmacy can help you find ways to save on your glatiramer prescription.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can cause symptoms such as balance problems, fatigue, and vision difficulties.
There’s no cure for MS. But many disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are available to help slow its progression. These injectable and oral MS medications can help manage your symptoms and prevent long-term disability.
Two common injections for MS are Copaxone and Glatopa. Both are injectable forms of glatiramer. But is one version better than the other? Let’s review five things you should know about Copaxone versus Glatopa.
1. Glatopa is a generic version of Copaxone
Copaxone was FDA approved to treat MS in 1996. It was available only as a brand-name medication until 2015. At that time, Glatopa was approved as the first generic form of Copaxone.
The term “generic” often makes people think of lower-quality products. But generic medications are different. A generic product contains the same active ingredient and works the same way as a brand-name drug. This means Glatopa has the same dosage instructions, quality, and effectiveness as Copaxone.
Glatopa is a branded generic medication. This means it has a distinct brand name (Glatopa) that’s different from the generic name of the active ingredient (glatiramer). But Glatopa is still considered a generic form of Copaxone. Another generic version of Copaxone is sold as glatiramer without another name attached to it. It was approved in 2017.
2. Copaxone and Glatopa have the same dosages and formulations
Copaxone and Glatopa are both approved for the same types of MS, including:
Clinically isolated syndrome: A single episode of MS symptoms that lasts at least 24 hours)
Relapsing-remitting MS: Symptoms that come and go over time
Active secondary progressive MS: Symptoms that worsen over time without symptom-free periods
Copaxone comes in a 20 mg prefilled syringe that’s injected once daily. It also comes in a 40 mg syringe that’s injected 3 times per week.
Originally, Glatopa was available only in the 20 mg dose. But now it comes in 20 mg and 40 mg doses.
This means that when it comes to Copaxone versus Glatopa, there’s no difference between their available dosage forms and recommended dosages. Both medications are injected under the skin of your abdomen, hip, or thigh. You can typically give yourself the injection once you’ve been trained to do so.
You can also inject both Copaxone and Glatopa into your upper outer arm. But most people need assistance from someone else to access this location properly.
3. Copaxone and Glatopa are similarly effective for MS symptoms
Initial clinical studies showed that up to 56% of people were relapse-free and up to 80% of people had no MS progression after 2 years of injecting Copaxone 20 mg once daily. It also has better long-term safety outcomes than several other MS treatment options.
Since Glatopa is an approved generic of Copaxone, you should expect the same results from both medications. This is a requirement for any FDA approval of a new generic. A 2025 study comparing Glatopa and Copaxone further confirmed the medications as similarly effective.
4. Copaxone and Glatopa have similar side effects
Since they’re equivalent medications, Copaxone and Glatopa share similar side effects.
Common side effects include:
Redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site
Chest pain, flushed or itchy skin, and a fast heart rate after the injection (shortness of breath is also possible)
Nausea
Back pain
Skin rash
What are the serious side effects of Copaxone and Glatopa?
In addition to the more common side effects, rare but serious side effects are also possible. These include:
Chest pain: This can be part of a postinjection reaction, or it can happen on its own. Chest pain episodes often begin at least 1 month after starting treatment; they typically go away on their own. But since chest pain can be a sign of more serious issues, it’s best to seek emergency care if chest pain occurs. This is especially true if it’s accompanied by nausea or trouble breathing or if it worsens over time.
Skin damage: Glatiramer injections can break down the fatty tissue under your skin where they’re injected. Rotating injection sites and using proper technique can help reduce the risk of this happening.
Liver injury: There are rare reports of liver injury with glatiramer injections. If signs or symptoms of liver problems occur, such as dark urine or yellowing of your skin or eyes, contact your prescriber right away.
5. Glatopa is generally more affordable than brand-name Copaxone
Since Glatopa is a generic medication, it’s generally more affordable than Copaxone (the brand-name version). But GoodRx can help you find ways to save on both versions of glatiramer.
If you have commercial insurance and meet certain requirements, you can pay as little as $0 per month for Glatopa using a copay card from the manufacturer. Copaxone also has a copay savings card with a monthly cost as low as $0.
Good to know: Copaxone and Glatopa are specialty medications, so they’re usually filled through a specialty pharmacy instead of at a local drugstore. And they may require extra steps before your insurance plan will cover them, such as a prior authorization or step therapy override. The good news is that most specialty pharmacy staff are trained to help with insurance approvals. They can also help you find additional ways to save on the cost of your prescription.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, since Copaxone and Glatopa are equivalent medications, you can typically switch from one to the other. But in most cases, your prescriber will make this switch only for insurance or cost-related reasons. There’s no other advantage to using Glatopa versus Copaxone, or vice versa.
Weight gain is a possible side effect of Copaxone or Glatopa, but it isn’t common. Keep in mind that weight gain can also be related to MS itself. So it may be hard to know if it’s your medication or your health condition that’s causing it. Focusing on regular exercise (even simple movements help) and a balanced diet can help you maintain or work toward your target body weight. You can also talk to your healthcare team for guidance.
Glatiramer, the active ingredient in Glatopa and Copaxone, does reduce the immune system’s activity. But it seems to mainly work within the brain and spinal cord, where MS activity is focused. Glatopa and other glatiramer-based medications don’t seem to suppress the immune system throughout the body as much as other disease-modifying MS treatments. But there’s still an increased risk of infections while you’re receiving it.
Yes, since Copaxone and Glatopa are equivalent medications, you can typically switch from one to the other. But in most cases, your prescriber will make this switch only for insurance or cost-related reasons. There’s no other advantage to using Glatopa versus Copaxone, or vice versa.
Weight gain is a possible side effect of Copaxone or Glatopa, but it isn’t common. Keep in mind that weight gain can also be related to MS itself. So it may be hard to know if it’s your medication or your health condition that’s causing it. Focusing on regular exercise (even simple movements help) and a balanced diet can help you maintain or work toward your target body weight. You can also talk to your healthcare team for guidance.
Glatiramer, the active ingredient in Glatopa and Copaxone, does reduce the immune system’s activity. But it seems to mainly work within the brain and spinal cord, where MS activity is focused. Glatopa and other glatiramer-based medications don’t seem to suppress the immune system throughout the body as much as other disease-modifying MS treatments. But there’s still an increased risk of infections while you’re receiving it.
The bottom line
Copaxone and Glatopa are two injectable forms of glatiramer that treat multiple sclerosis. Copaxone is a brand-name medication. Glatopa is an FDA-approved generic version of Copaxone.
Since they’re equivalent medications, Copaxone and Glatopa are considered similarly effective. They also have shared side effects, such as injection-site reactions, flushing, and nausea. Glatopa is generally more affordable than Copaxone, since it’s a lower-cost generic. Your prescriber and specialty pharmacy can help you find ways to save on your glatiramer prescription.
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References
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