Question 1

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 2

i have started my medication in june (which is an injection of copaxone (glatiramer) everyday) i have yet to get my period?

Accepted Answer

Unusual reaction: Copaxone (glatiramer) does NOT usually affect hormonal function, and need to have your gynecologist assess this.  Sounds like a co-morbidity rather than a direct relationship, but unique reactions can and do occur.  If no explanation otherwise, perhaps not a bad idea to try a different disease modifying agent.

Question 3

i have had tingling/numbness in my finger tips since july 13 and i take copaxone (glatiramer). i wanted to know is there a medication to stop numbness?

Accepted Answer

Numbness: The tingling or numbness if your finger tips may be due to an impingement problem. Consult your doctor for a possible xray of your cervical spine.

Question 4

what medications can help the forgetfulness associated with ms. i takw copaxone (glatiramer) daily. no other medicatiins. lab work chemistries and thyroid are ok?

Accepted Answer

Side effects: There are side effects related to the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well as the effects of the disease itself on attention, concentration and memory. In some cases the addition of antidepressants will improve the cognitive effects and the low mood associated with the condition. A consultation with the psychiatrist could be very helpful.

Question 5

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 6

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 7

copaxone (glatiramer) question - what condition is it usually prescribed for?

Accepted Answer

Multiple sclerosis: Copaxone (glatiramer) is indicated for use in the treatment multiple sclerosis, specifically to attempt to decrease the frequency of relapses in the relapsing, remitting subtype of multiple sclerosis.

Question 8

how long do side effects of copaxone (glatiramer) last?

Accepted Answer

Variable.: Local injection site pain may last a few minutes, unless the area becomes infected or swollen.  Dimpling in the injection site, lipoatrophy, occurs in up to 60% of patients, and may be permanent.  Brief injection rxtns associated with chest pain, flushing, sweating, etc, are rare and benign and last about 15 min.   Hypertension may occur, and, if so, may be permanent.

Question 9

how long does it take for copaxone (glatiramer) to reach full potential for ms?

Accepted Answer

?6 months: When first on the market, there seemed to be some concern that it might take up to 6 months prior to the full effect of copaxone (glatiramer).  More recent data suggests potency is present within the first few days, and likely is working well within the first few months.  If the disease remains quite active, in spite of useage for 3 months, best to check with a neurologist about finding a more potent agent.

Question 10

how likely is nmo to be fatal now days? will medicines like copaxone (glatiramer) help?

Accepted Answer

NMO: In the old days, we thought that nmo was a variant of ms.  Now we realize that it is very different, although may present the same way.  Because it is so rare, there will never be enough people in an fda trial to approve a drug therapy.  I have had success with rituxan (rituximab).  Two men in this country are the leading experts on the topic, dean wingerchuck at mayo clinic and ben greenberg at utsw.

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Doctor answers about:

Glatiramer medication

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:

I have started my medication in june (which is an injection of copaxone (glatiramer) everyday) i have yet to get my period?

A member asked:

I have had tingling/numbness in my finger tips since july 13 and i take copaxone (glatiramer). i wanted to know is there a medication to stop numbness?

A member asked:

What medications can help the forgetfulness associated with ms. i takw copaxone (glatiramer) daily. no other medicatiins. lab work chemistries and thyroid are ok?

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:

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:

Copaxone (glatiramer) question - what condition is it usually prescribed for?

A member asked:

How long do side effects of copaxone (glatiramer) last?

A member asked:

How long does it take for copaxone (glatiramer) to reach full potential for ms?

A member asked:

How likely is nmo to be fatal now days? will medicines like copaxone (glatiramer) help?

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