COPAXONE Reviews (GLATIRAMER ACETATE)Average Rating: 3.5 (300 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare COPAXONE with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on COPAXONE: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR COPAXONE | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 3 | RRMS | Pain, swelling and redness at injection site. | I have started and stopped taking Copaxone several times due to severity of side effects. I rotate, using all injection sites and find that the abdomen works the best and my thighs are the worst. The hips are ok, but I have lingering soreness which I notice when I carry my computer bag and handbag and it hits my injection site. Flareups are not as frequent since I switched from Avonex to Copaxone, even though I've not been diligent with my daily injections. | F | 46 | 18 months | 1/22/2009 | 2 | MS | Stinging at injection site. The worst pain EVER when injecting into my arms--I have low body fat and was hitting the muscle every time. My husband starting giving me the injection manually, and it's been alot better. I have swollen lymph nodes in the groin area--my neurologist wants them biopsied....this makes me nervous! Anyone else with this side effect?? | I've been on it for 3 months now, with no results yet. Still waiting and keeping my fingers crossed that it will kick in! | F | 25 | 3 months | 1/9/2009 | 4 | Multiple Sclerosis | After the first month, I basically had NO side effects besides a minor lump or redness at the injection site. | They have made this drug UNAFFORDABLE for anyone not on assistance or even with insurance. The cost seems to keep going up. I was paying over $2000.00 a month and no longer could afford it. | F | 50 | 2 years | 1/4/2009 | 1 | definite multiple sclerosis | Tremor ( like intense chills) fatigue, depression, anxiety, burning pain, skin lumps, brusing, fat indents, flulike symptoms. | I was misdiagnosed as having definite MS instead of Hughes syndrome. For the 4.5 years I took copaxone I was sick as hell, although two neurologists said the symptoms were MS. After I was correctly dx with having had a stroke and APS, I stopped the Copaxone. 4 weeks later I noticed I was not tremoring as much, felt less tired. Each month passes and I am more clear headed, tremor is gone and depression and flu have lifted. I thought I would continue to be impaired and sick because of my stroke but it was the COPAXONE poison. This warning to you may appear to be a from some nut job, as 4 years ago I would have assumed, but please find independent non TEVA related literature about Copaxone and you will find it is sadly no better at slowing MS than a placebo and for me very damaging. Yes, I know Copaxone is supposed to be the least harmful of the CRABS, but TEVA fails to be upfront about the Lipo skin damage too....... i wish i had the last 4.5 years back | F | 45 | 4.5 years | 12/15/2008 | 5 | MS | stinging at site...usually goes away within an hour. Have had 1 "site reaction"... scariest thing I've ever experienced...I'm pretty sure I injected it into a vein...am now more careful with how I inject...no more quickly hitting areas outside of known safe spots. The shortness of breath, locking up of back muscles, bowel and bladder spasticness...I thought I was dying...actually called 911 before calling the DR. It went away after approx. 30 minutes. | Take a shot daily...never miss it...told the company to stop calling...they keep checking up on me...I explained that I will never miss my copaxone shot. Has helped trmendously. The biggest help for me...for two years of MS symptoms, having absolutely no libido was the hardest thing with which to deal...and understand. I'm sure the wife thought I was messing around on her. But, honestly, had absolutely no libido....after having a kid, and a cold wind getting me excited...seriously, nada. A naked woman could have walked up in front of me and done bent over at the waist...I would have blown her off. Since the copaxone, the libido has clicked back on...it's amazing...I will never miss my shot of copaxone. Frankly, I'm back to being a pig again...I'm sure there are times when the wife would like to hide the Copaxone!! The ten doctors I had seen before finding a cure all told me that I was getting old, too fat, etc... However, I knew something was wrong. :) | M | 44 | 5.5 months | 12/10/2008 | 3 | Newly Diagnosed MS | Lump, redness, pain on site for 1-2 weeks, Bee sting sensation, sometimes terrible pain if in muscle. Use warm before and cold after. Seem to help. | I am thin/no fat and have had to find alternative spots (not sure of best alternative spots) for my arms and parts of my legs. Pain gets less with time. Went off for a week on honeymoon and found my body had to adjust all over again-finally getting built up again. Hoping it is working- cannot really tell. | F | 29 | 5 months | 12/3/2008 | 4 | RRMS | JUST GET INJECTION SITE STINGING. IT'S NOTHING COMPARED TO AVONEX SICKNESS. I TOOK IT FOR 10 YEARS EVERY FRIDAY AND GOT SICK EVERY FRIDAY. THE COPAXONE IS AMAZING SO FAR. AVONEX WORKED UNTIL RECENTLY. MRI SUGGESTED SPINAL LESIONS SO WE SWITCHED. I AM CROSSING MY FINGERS FOR A GOOD RESULT. I WOULDN'T CARE IF I GET LITTLE PURPLE SORE SPOTS EVERYWHERE AS LONG AS IT WORKS. I'M NOT VAIN ABOUT IT. I JUST WANT RESULTS. | F | 53 | 30 days | 11/23/2008 | 2 | ms | redness, itching, lumps, pain at injection site. fever. shortness of breath, lymphnodes sweling in groin area | I have tried Avonex, Rebif and now Copaxone. I was pleased with no flu like symptoms at first then I started with the fever and shortness of breath. Was told fever was not from Copaxone and was taken off for 5 days. Went back on and fever. Off 5 more days went back on and fever. Doctor has taken me off totally. Hate it did not work and now don't know what to do. | F | 56 | 1 months | 11/17/2008 | 4 | RRMS | burning, stinging at injection. tight, large lumps and terrible itching at injection site for about four days post-injection. some sites worse than others. | aside form the injection site reactions, which im hopeful will ease with time, i have not had any side effects so far. i have an infant daughter so i cannot afford to have the interferon side effects getting in my way on a day-to-day basis. so far copaxone seems to be working, but i truly hope that the itching and lumps go away eventually, as they are uncomfortable, distracting and sometimes painful. | F | 33 | 1 months | 11/12/2008 | 4 | MS | Feeling like I'd be stung by a Bee!!! Ow! if I ice the area its bearable but if I don't it is excruitiating. The pain goes away in about an hour, not nice at all though | Despite the hour of pain, it beats constant flu like symptoms caused by Betaferon. I was sick 24 hours a day 7 days a weak, aching bones aching skin! So one hour of intense pain is definitely better than this. | F | 29 | 4 weeks | 10/27/2008 | 4 | rrms | Initially the injections BURNED for about 10-15 min. That subsided after a few weeks. Now I hardly notice the injection itself. I do have some itching and occasional bruising, but that is about it, | After s/w several ladies that I know, who have MS, they did not advise the interferons. All were sick 1-2 days per week, even after YEARS of the therapy. So far the only symptom that I have had is the Optic Neuritis. I run and walk 3-4 times a week and have a 2 year old, so I have to be able to be active!! That was why I chose Copaxone. So far, so good. My faith lies in God!! | F | 35 | 4 months | 10/15/2008 | 5 | MS - changed from betaferon | Palpitation and shallow breathing in first three months. Sore lumps and immediate swelling, hot site for a few hours, tender site usually for 2 - 3 days, extreme immediate site itching, occassional bruising. | I find warming in hand to body temperature minimises pain. V happy with drug as have not had a major exacerbation since starting it, and I am a bit slack sometimes. Open to any suggestions of any supplements that might help. FYI since starting B12 injections, I have improved in this area dramatically. | F | 44 | 30 months | 10/5/2008 | 4 | RRMS | I have experienced every side effect possible. I have pain at injection site, itching, bruising, bleeding, welts and necrosis of the skin. I have also experienced the chest pain and flushing several times. It only lasts for a short time, but it can be scary. | The autoject has made giving the shot an easier experience, however, it doesn't allow me to adjust the depth at the time of the shot. I am thin, so sometimes even set at 5 goes too deep. I have been on Copaxone since 2000 - diagnosed in 1989 and am currently not experiencing any symptoms with my MS. | F | 42 | 8 years | 9/20/2008 | 4 | rrms | very concerned about the ugly dents i now have in my thighs, smaller 'dimples' in my tummy, discoloration above my hips and the loss of back fat which should be good only i don't know how to take more shots there anymore. regarding the thighs, i've started taking the shots in my saddlebags because if it's going to eat my muscle and fat tissue, then i'd much rather get rid of the saddlebags and it is working even though i'm sure i'll get ugly dents there too eventually. has anyone taken shots in unadvised sites, e.g. further back behind the hips? also, some tolerable side effects: bee sting effect; some sites have lumps underneath skin; occasional bruising. no weight gain but major lean muscle loss - not sure if that's a side effect. | i cannot take the other drugs due to one freak bout of hyperthyroiditis. i would love to hear from anyone who has used tysibri and whether that is an option for me. | F | 41 | 3 years | 9/19/2008 | 4 | RRMS | Very painful injections, leading to permanent lumpy scar tissue. I look very freaky now. Can't wear shorts or bathing suit. I use heat before injection/cold after but it doesn't seem to make any difference. | Nobody on this site mentions the egg-sized lumps. I know it's trivial compared with the disability but it's so depressing. I always fantasized that I could get some function back with medical advances, but I know I'll be stuck looking bizarre forever because scar tissue is permanent. Hate to look at myself. Am I the only one with this trouble?? | F | 47 | 5 years | 9/18/2008 | 4 | RRMS | Flu like symptoms | I have had 0 relapses since starting copaxone | F | 45 | 6 years | 9/12/2008 | 3 | RRMS | Injection site stinging, intense pain, redness, bumps. | I have been taking this drug for 6 months and im really getting used to the side affects. it barely hurts at all so hang in there. Something else a little less conventional that has been very successful is the medical use of marijuana. it helps with just about every MS symptom that i have had. Keep a good attitude and exercise!!! IT WORKS! | M | 22 | 6 days | 8/23/2008 | 3 | R & R | ichy welts, redness, pain at site. | Doctor suggested putting injector on "10" and I love it! No more pain or welts at site. He says since there are 3 layers to the skin,the needle still won't be below skin layer so it is still considered a subcutaneous injection and is fine. Check it out! | F | 50 | 4 months | 7/24/2008 | 5 | Multiple Sclerosis | Skin hardening at injection spots slightly, some bruising | For folks just starting - let me assure you that it gets easier! I've been on it since August 2002 (6 years as I write this). The injection barely stings anymore. I've never had one of those bad reactions. Inject only where they advise it. | F | 52 | 6 years | 7/12/2008 | 4 | MS | Rebif landed me in the hospital in serious condition. My Neuro thinks I may have issues with interferons so we decided on Copaxone. All I can say is the side effects of Copaxone dont even compare to Rebif. My biggest complaint about Copaxone is it feels like someone punched me where I injected the medicine and the pain lasts for about an hour. I was worried about anxiety because I read about that possible side effect due to my diagnosis years ago of having GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) but I take Cymbalta for that and think all is OK. Its just the Injection site reaction that I hate but its just temporary. I am so happy I dont feel like I am going to die like I did on Rebif. | New to the drug but I am hopeful. | M | 41 | 2 weeks | 7/9/2008 |