Daily Medication Pearl: Glatiramer Acetate Injection (Copaxone) for Multiple Sclerosis

Medication Pearl of the Day: Glatiramer acetate injection (Copaxone)

Glatiramer acetate is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.

Explanations:

• Dosage: For subcutaneous injection only; doses are not interchangeable
  • Glatiramer acetate 20 mg/ml per day
  • Glatiramer acetate 40 mg/mL 3 times per week
• Dosage forms: Injection of 20 mg/mL in a single-dose, prefilled syringe with a white plunger. Injection of 40 mg/mL in a single-dose, prefilled syringe with a blue plunger.
• Adverse events: Injection site reactions, vasodilatation, rash, dyspnea, and chest pain.
• Mechanism of action: Glatiramer acetate is thought to act by modifying immune processes that are believed to be responsible for the pathogenesis of MS.
• Manufacturer: Teva

Sources

• COP-46394 Copaxone Digital PI, Med Guide and IFU v4.indd (copaxonehcp.com)
• COPAXONE® (glatiramer acetate injection) HCP Site (copaxonehcp.com)
• copaxone - Google Search