Question 1

i am ending using copaxone (glatiramer) after more than two years. i am going to try bd 12 (not yet available to australians). should there be a waiting period before starting a new drug?

Accepted Answer

No: Copaxone (glatiramer) can be stopped suddenly without undesirable effect  bg12 has its own set of possible side effects and you should be supervised by a ms specialist.

Question 2

what are the side effects for taking oral ms drugs as opposed to copaxone (glatiramer) and all the other injectable drugs.

Accepted Answer

Complex : All ms drugs have potential side effects, and Copaxone has injection site reactions, lipoatrophy, an occasional chest/flushing reaction, and of course, the need to inject.  All three orals are well tolerated in most folks, but tecfidera may cause severe nausea, diarrhea.  Better tolerated might be Gilenya (fingolimod) or aubagio.  Talk to neurologist about your best approach.

Question 3

what's the difference between the ms drugs avonex (interferon beta 1a) and copaxone?

Accepted Answer

# OF INJECTIONS: Both Avonex and Copaxone are drugs of the 90's, and have helped numerous pts.  Copaxone is injected daily, does have injection rxtns, yet is considered safer for pregnancy.  Avonex is injected once weekly, but can cause flu rxtns, depression, thyroid and liver issues, and is not safe for pregnancy.  Both are modestly effective, but many newer agents have better outcomes (tysabri, gilenya, (fingolimod) etc).

Question 4

how are the ms drugs avonex (interferon beta 1a) and copaxone distinguished from each other?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: Avonex (interferon beta 1a) is an interferon, given into the muscle once weekly, and copaxone, injected under skin daily, is a polymer.  But why use needles, as we have 3 oral agents, and all are as potent or more potent than Avonex (interferon beta 1a) and copaxone.

Question 5

what's the most effective medication for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis? my dr has me on copaxone (glatiramer) for almost a year now and it's not helping

Accepted Answer

Multiple sclerosis: With the exception of Novantrone (mitoxantrone) and steroids there is no other approved therapy for secondary progressive ms. The new oral therapies and old injectable platform therapies are only effective in relapsing ms (slow down number of relapses over time) not effective in progressive ms. Physical therapy, ampyra, (dalfampridine) muscle relaxer and other medications could be used to improve symptoms of ms.

Question 6

been on copaxone a few years. dr says when if it stops working he wants to move to oral ms meds. i am really nervous about these. which r safest?

Accepted Answer

All: They all have different side effect profiles. Selection should be individualized and typically monitoring is done routinely to detect side effects early. They also come with the added convenience of taking a "pill" as opposed to injections.

Question 7

glatiramer acetate (copaxone) vs. interferon?

Accepted Answer

See answer below: Both are used in rrms with similar efficacy levels. Copaxone (glatiramer) does not need blood monitoring and is administered as a subcutaneous sc injection daily. Side effects include injection site reactions. Interferons need lab work monitoring, can be a weekly injection into a muscle (avonex), every other day sc (betaseron) or three times a week sc (rebif). Most commo side effects include flu-like symptoms.

Question 8

does copaxone (glatiramer) increase cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

NO !: To my knowledge glatimair acetate (cop axone) has not been found to be carcinogenic.

Question 9

what does copaxone (glatiramer) do for multiple sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

An example of....: copaxone (glatiramer) contains the four most common amino acids in the breakdown of central nervous system myelin arranged in different sequences. This is injected and possibly one of the random peptides mimic the antigen seen in MD -- example of the concept of immune tolerance.

Question 10

how fast should it take for copaxone (glatiramer) to work to stop multiple sclerosis flareups?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Copaxone (glatiramer) is a first line agent which may not be useful for many pts, and may take up to 4-6 months to reach maximal potency in some pts.  If relapses continue to occur, and your MRI shows active lesions, other meds may be better choices for you.  Discuss thoroughly with your neurologist.

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Doctor answers about:

Copaxone allergy drugs

A member asked:

I am ending using copaxone (glatiramer) after more than two years. i am going to try bd 12 (not yet available to australians). should there be a waiting period before starting a new drug?

A member asked:

What are the side effects for taking oral ms drugs as opposed to copaxone (glatiramer) and all the other injectable drugs.

A member asked:

What's the difference between the ms drugs avonex (interferon beta 1a) and copaxone?

A member asked:

How are the ms drugs avonex (interferon beta 1a) and copaxone distinguished from each other?

A member asked:

What's the most effective medication for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis? my dr has me on copaxone (glatiramer) for almost a year now and it's not helping

A member asked:

Been on copaxone a few years. dr says when if it stops working he wants to move to oral ms meds. i am really nervous about these. which r safest?

A member asked:

Glatiramer acetate (copaxone) vs. interferon?

A member asked:

Does copaxone (glatiramer) increase cancer risk?

A member asked:

What does copaxone (glatiramer) do for multiple sclerosis?

A member asked:

How fast should it take for copaxone (glatiramer) to work to stop multiple sclerosis flareups?

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