II. Indications
- Multiple Sclerosis (relapsing-remitting)
III. Mechanism
- Non-Interferon, immunomodulatory agent
- Structurally similar peptide chain to myelin basic Protein
- Polymer contains random sequence and length of 4 Amino Acids (L-Alanine, L-Glutamate, L-Lysine, L-Tyrosine)
- Acts as a decoy for immune response
IV. Medications
- Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa) prefilled syringes for SQ Injection: 20 mg/ml or 40 mg/ml
- NOT for IV injection (only SQ Injection)
V. Dosing
- Glatiramer Acetate 20 mg/ml SQ daily OR
- Glatiramer Acetate 40 mg/ml SQ three times weekly (at least 48 hours between doses)
- Rotate injection sites to prevent Lipodystrophy
VI. Adverse Effects
- Local injection site inflammation
- Facial Flushing
- Immediate post-injection
- May be accompanied by chest symptoms
-
Chest symptoms (after first month of treatment, typically self-limited)
- Chest tightness (transient)
- Dyspnea
- Palpitations
- Throat tightness
- Anxiety
VII. Safety
- Pregnancy Category B
- Unknown safety in Lactation
VIII. Efficacy
- Good track record of safety and greater efficacy than Interferon
IX. Resources
- Glatiramer Acetate (DailyMed)
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Related Studies
| glatiramer (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| GLATIRAMER 40 MG/ML SYRINGE | Generic | $131.63 per ml |
| copaxone (on 12/20/2023 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| COPAXONE 20 MG/ML SYRINGE | $230.59 per ml | |
| COPAXONE 40 MG/ML SYRINGE | Generic | $131.63 per ml |
| glatopa (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| GLATOPA 40 MG/ML SYRINGE | Generic | $131.63 per ml |