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Glatiramer Coupon - Glatiramer 12 syringes of 40mg/ml carton

glatiramer

Generic Copaxone
Used for Multiple Sclerosis
Used for Multiple Sclerosis

Glatiramer (Copaxone) is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Glatiramer (Copaxone) is injected under the skin, either daily or three times a week, depending on your dose. Injection sites for glatiramer (Copaxone) include the arms, stomach, hips, and thighs. It can cause common side effects such as warmth and pain at the injection site. Glatiramer (Copaxone) comes as prefilled syringes. But your provider can also write you a prescription for autoinjectors, which might be easier to use. Glatiramer is available as both brand-name and generic medications.

Last reviewed on May 25, 2023
basics-icon

What is Glatiramer (Copaxone)?

What is Glatiramer (Copaxone) used for?

  • Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS)

How Glatiramer (Copaxone) works

Glatiramer (Copaxone) is a disease-modifying treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS). The exact way it works to treat MS is unknown. But it's thought to block certain processes of the immune system that can cause this condition.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsCopaxone, Glatopa
Drug ClassMultiple sclerosis disease modifying therapy
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Glatiramer (Copaxone)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Warmth at injection site (43%)
  • Pain at injection site (40%)
  • Infection (30%)
  • Itching and swelling at injection site (up to 27%)
  • Weakness (22%)
  • General body pain (20%)
  • Rash (19%)
  • Nausea (15%)
  • Trouble catching your breath (14%)
  • Anxiety (13%)
  • Chest pain (13%)
  • Back pain (12%)

Other Side Effects

  • Pounding heart
  • Vomiting
  • Swelling from fluids
  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Cramps, diarrhea, and other symptoms of the stomach bug

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Immediate reactions after injection: throat tightness, difficulty breathing
  • Injection site necrosis (skin cell death): blue-black discoloration, swelling, broken skin, dent in skin
  • Worsening liver problems or liver failure: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, confusion, nausea

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Anxiety

bleeding, hard lump, hives or welts, itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site

chest pain

cough or hoarseness

excessive muscle tone

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

feeling of warmth

fever or chills

joint pain

lower back or side pain

neck pain

painful or difficult urination

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

skin rash

swelling or puffiness of the face

swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin

trouble breathing

Less common

Agitation

bloating or swelling

confusion

difficulty with swallowing

feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded

headache, severe and throbbing

itching of the vagina or outside genitals

muscle aches or pain

pain during sexual intercourse

purple spots under the skin

red streaks on the skin

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

small lumps under the skin

spasm of the throat

strong urge to urinate

sweating

swelling of the fingers, arms, feet, or legs

thick, white curd-like vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor

tightness in the chest

tingling of the hands or feet

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

unusual weight gain or loss

Rare

Blood in the urine

burning or stinging of the skin

continuous, uncontrolled back-and-forth or rolling eye movements

decreased sexual ability

diarrhea

difficulty with moving

ear pain

fast breathing

irritation of the mouth and tongue (thrush)

loss of appetite

menstrual pain or changes

painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals

sensation of motion, usually whirling, either of oneself or of one's surroundings

speech problems

vision problems

Incidence not known

Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge

back pain, sudden and severe

bleeding gums

blindness

blurred or decreased vision

chest discomfort or heaviness

clear or bloody discharge from the nipple

cloudy urine

coughing up blood

dark urine

decreased urine output

difficult or frequent urination

dilated neck veins

dimpling of the breast skin

drowsiness

extreme tiredness or weakness

eye pain

gaseous stomach pain

general feeling of discomfort or illness

general tiredness and weakness

hair loss

headache

heartburn

increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding

indigestion

inverted nipple

joint swelling

large amount of cholesterol in the blood

light-colored stools

lump in the breast or under the arm

lump or swelling in the stomach

muscle weakness, sudden and progressing

nausea

nerve pain

nosebleed

pain or discomfort the in arms or jaw

paralysis

persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple

prolonged bleeding from cuts

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, lips, or tongue

rapid, shallow breathing

recurrent fever

red or black, tarry stools

redness or swelling of the breast

seizures

sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal

sore throat

stiff neck or back

stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain

tearing

tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area

unusual tiredness or weakness

upper right abdominal or stomach pain

vomiting

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Lack or loss of strength

stuffy or runny nose

Less common

Double vision

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Glatiramer (Copaxone)

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Pros

Less likely to cause serious side effects compared to some other injectable MS medications, such as Avonex (interferon beta-1a)

Can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month

Available as lower-cost generics (Glatopa and glatiramer)

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Cons

Needs to be injected every day (20 mg/mL) or three times per week (40 mg/mL)

Not well-studied in children or older adults 65 years of age or older

Injection can cause damage to skin, so need to rotate injection sites

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Glatiramer (Copaxone)

pharmacist
  • You should receive training from your provider or pharmacist on how to give yourself glatiramer (Copaxone). Make sure you know how to give yourself glatiramer (Copaxone) to avoid accidentally hurting yourself or wasting the medication. Read the Instructions for Use. Contact your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to use this medication.

    • If you have trouble using the glatiramer (Copaxone) pre-filled syringes, talk with your provider. They can write you a prescription for the autoinjector that goes with your product, which might make it easier for you to give the injection. Keep in mind that the autoinjector from one manufacturer might not work with glatiramer products from another, so double check that the prescription is for the appropriate autoinjector.

      • Keep the blister packs containing the prefilled syringes in the original package to protect them from light and place it in the refrigerator. Before injecting yourself, take a blister pack out of the refrigerator and lay it on a flat surface to warm up. This will take about 20 minutes. Don't try to warm up the syringe any other way.

        • If you're traveling and don't have access to a refrigerator, the prefilled syringes can be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days. Read the travel guide for more tips on how to travel with glatiramer (Copaxone).

          • Always check the medication solution to make sure it's clear and colorless to yellow before using it. If it's cloudy, discolored, or has particles, don't use it and contact your pharmacist.

            • Keep the injection site guide with you to help you remember where you can inject glatiramer (Copaxone). Use a different place each time you give yourself the medication. Don't inject into the same exact place more than once a week. This will help prevent bruising or irritation on your skin. Don't inject into skin with scars or dents to avoid making your skin worse.

              • After giving yourself the medication, throw the needle and syringe away in a sharps container or something made of heavy-duty plastic, such as an empty milk carton or laundry detergent bottle, to lower the risk of needle-stick injuries. Don't throw away needles or syringes in your trash can.

                • The prefilled syringes are single-use only and should be thrown away after injecting yourself. Don't save any leftover medication that might still be inside the syringe and don't reuse a syringe. Don't share your prefilled syringes with another person. This will help prevent spreading of infections.

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Glatiramer (Copaxone)

                  Is glatiramer (Copaxone) an immunosuppressant?
                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) isn't considered an immunosuppressant. But it can potentially affect your immune system. Glatiramer (Copaxone) is thought to treat MS by changing how your immune system works. But there isn't enough information to show that it weakens your immune system.
                  Where can I inject glatiramer (Copaxone)?
                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) is injected under the skin into the fat tissue between your skin and muscle. Never inject it into your muscle or vein. The best areas for injection are your stomach, back of hips, back of arms, or upper thighs. Make sure to alternate injection sites to lower the risk of bruising and irritation to your skin. Don't inject the medication into the exact same place more than once each week. Read the injection site guide for more tips and details on where to inject the medication.
                  How effective is glatiramer (Copaxone)?
                  In a one-year clinical study, people with MS injecting glatiramer (Copaxone) 3 times a week had 34% fewer relapses compared to people taking placebo. Another two-year study of people injecting glatiramer (Copaxone) once a day, 56% of people receiving the medication had no more relapses at the end of the study compared to 28% of people taking placebo. Talk with your provider if you've more questions about how well glatiramer (Copaxone) might work at treating MS.
                  What's the most common side effect of glatiramer (Copaxone)?
                  Injection site reactions are the most common side effect of glatiramer (Copaxone). These reactions include redness, pain, itching, and swelling at the site where you inject the medication. Most injection site reactions typically last 1 to 2 days, but could last longer. Make sure to rotate injection sites to give your skin a chance to heal in between injections. If the reactions are bothersome, ask your provider about compresses, ice packs, or using over-the-counter medications to help.
                  Does glatiramer (Copaxone) cause weight loss?
                  Both weight loss and weight gain have been reported with using glatiramer (Copaxone), but weight changes seem to be rare. If you have concerns about your weight, it's best to speak with your healthcare provider.
                  Can I use glatiramer (Copaxone) if I'm pregnant?
                  There haven't been enough studies of glatiramer (Copaxone) used by pregnant females, so it's not known if it's safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies showed that glatiramer (Copaxone) didn't cause any harm to their unborn babies. If you're pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant, talk to your provider to see if glatiramer (Copaxone) is right for you.
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                  What are the risks and warnings for Glatiramer (Copaxone)?

                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                  risk-warning

                  Reactions after injection

                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) can cause reactions (flushing, chest pain, feeling of a pounding chest, high heart rate, anxiety, shortness of breath, throat tightness, or hives) within seconds to minutes after injection. In general, these reactions can start several months after starting treatment with glatiramer (Copaxone) and you might experience one or many episodes of these reactions. These reactions usually get better over time and typically don't require treatment.

                  risk-warning

                  Chest pain

                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) can cause chest pain, which can be either an immediate reaction after the injection or as a side effect. The chest pain will usually go away over time and is not associated with other symptoms, so it's not a medical emergency. If you have chest pain with other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, feeling weak, or light-headed, call 911 right away because this can mean you might be having a heart attack.

                  risk-warning

                  Loss of fat tissue and injection site necrosis

                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) can cause loss of fat tissue (lipoatrophy) in the sites where you inject the medication. It can occur at various times after you begin treatment with Glatiramer (Copaxone) and is thought to be permanent. In addition, although rare, glatiramer (Copaxone) can cause necrosis (cell death) in the skin at the site of injection. To prevent these issues, make sure you rotate the injection sites with each injection.

                  risk-warning

                  Liver damage

                  Although rare, glatiramer (Copaxone) can cause serious liver problems that can lead to liver failure or death. Seek medical attention right away if you notice swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, stool changes (black, tarry, or bloody stools), coughing or vomiting up blood, confusion, slurred speech, mood swings, or changes in personality. You might need to stop using glatiramer (Copaxone) to prevent further liver damage.

                  dosage

                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) dosage forms

                  Typical dosing for Glatiramer (Copaxone)

                  The dose of glatiramer (Copaxone) depends on the product strength your provider prescribes. The strengths are not interchangeable.

                  • The 20 mg/mL syringe is injected under the skin once per day.

                  • The 40 mg/mL syringe is injected under the skin three times per week, each dose at least 48 hours apart.

                  interactions

                  Interactions between Glatiramer (Copaxone) and other drugs

                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Glatiramer (Copaxone). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  • Tofacitinib
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                  contraindications-icon

                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) contraindications

                  Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Glatiramer (Copaxone) will not be safe for you to take.
                  • Allergy to mannitol

                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Glatiramer (Copaxone)?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Glatiramer (Copaxone). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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                  Glatiramer (Copaxone) images

                  yellow - Glatiramer Acetate Pre-Filled Syringe 40mg / mL Solution for Injection
                  This medicine is Yellow Carton.yellow - Glatiramer Acetate Pre-Filled Syringe 40mg / mL Solution for Injection

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  Khan, O., et al. (2013). Three times weekly glatiramer acetate in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. Annals of Neurology.

                  Teva Neuroscience, Inc. (2023). Copaxone- glatiramer acetate injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  Teva Neuroscience, Inc. (2023). Injection guide.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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