COPAXONE Reviews (GLATIRAMER ACETATE)

Average Rating: 3.5 (300 Ratings)

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 Type: Rx Drug

  

COPAXONE  (GLATIRAMER ACETATE):  This medication is used to treat a certain type of multiple sclerosis (relapsing multiple sclerosis-MS). It is a protein that is thought to work by preventing your immune system from attacking the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. This effect can decrease the number of periods of disease worsening (relapses) and prevent or delay disability. It is not a cure for MS.   FDA Approval Date: 2014-01-28 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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More on COPAXONE: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR COPAXONECOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 5  rrms the expected itching , lumps in thighs, slight stinging...... All things I can live with vs. The alternative. Copaxone has helped me greatly! No more tingling in legs, no more weird sensation in my back when I tilt my head down, no more numbness in my hand! Yaaaay copaxy! Only thing I am is extremely exhausted tired.... Boo! Not sure if that is related to the meds or just an MS thing.... F 35 9 months
20 1X day
7/28/2011
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 5  MS Minimal side effects--I think. My weight has fluctuated a lot over the last 21 years, so I don't know if Copaxone has anything to do with that. Same thing with anxiety & back pain. I've been treated for anxiety since before I started Copaxone almost 12 years ago (started 10/99) and I'm quite heavy and my lifestyle is very sedentary, so that's probably why I have back pain. Sometimes I have injection site reactions (big lump, pain, hot feeling) but they don't last very long (just a few minutes). The injection itself almost never hurts. Sometimes I try to inject in a place where scar tissue is present and that hurts quite a bit and the needle doesn't want to go in. So of course I try another spot and don't force it. I think Copaxone is a great medicine. The symptoms I used to have frequently (dizziness/light-headedness, numbness in limbs) have all but disappeared. And I haven't had a major relapse since I started Copaxone. I continue to have severe, chronic depression and a lot of anxiety, but it is unknown whether that is caused by my MS. F 45 11 years
20 MG 1X day
7/24/2011
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 2  Multiple sclerosis itching, lumps, rashes, dizziness after a week, two months after an acute panic attack, spasm and pain in his right hand, now swollen lymph nodes in the groin I stopped to inject into the hands because they have no fat and I think that the panic attack occurred because I'd probably hit a vein M 40 4 months
40 mg 3X W
7/18/2011
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 5  Multiple Sclerosis Redness and soreness at injection site; It can be a little embarrassing in a bikini to have welts but it is well worth it to be healthy and relapse free. I have been on Copaxone for over 9 years and it has been terrific. Although the injections are not fun, the medicine really works. Not only have I been relapse free, but my lesions have gone away. Despite the injection daily (which I have gotten used to), I cannot see myself changing medications since it is working so effectively and without side effects (other than the welts from the injections). I am looking ahead to kids and research shows you can continue to take it during pregnancy without harming the baby and continue taking it while you breast feed. Copaxone has kept me healthy, feeling great, and looking forward to not having another relapse for many years to come. F 29 9 years
1mg 1X day
7/15/2011
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 4  RRMS I get the usual injection site reactions, a hive sometimes, and the ghost bruises that stay for awhile. My main concern right now is that I feel I am immunosuppressed. Every three to four weeks I am coming down with a cold that often requires the use of antibiotics (azithromycin) to get rid of. This has been going on for the last 7 months and I don't know how to live a productive life like this. My doctors cannot figure it out, and their only answer is that it is likely the copaxone which I am quite reluctant to stop. Is anyone else experiencing this? I have not had a relapse in exactly one year. I think copaxone is an excellent treatment for MS and the injection site reactions are really quite negligible (for me personally) given that I would much rather have a hive than optic neuritis or another such relapse. F 29 1.5 years
20mg 1X day
7/15/2011
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 3  MS usual site reactions. Itchy red lump. Had first immediate post injection reaction after a year. Flushing, heart racing, low back pain followed by chills for the day. After that, I noticed increased joint pain. I do have arthritis, but my hands were becoming increasingly stiff. Had my 2nd immediate post injection reaction 8 month later...not as bad as first...but the joint pain became unbearable. Neuro told me it's one of the side effects. She took me off (med holiday) for three months. I've been off for a month now and have absolutely NO joint pain in my hands!!!! I Have another appointment in 2 months when we will decide whether to try one of the other drugs, go back on the copaxone or use nothing. My last MRI was done a week after this appointment. There have been no changes in the past 2 years. Was it the Copaxone? Don't know. Maybe I'll start back up in August. I'm contemplating quality of life over the joint pain. It seems to be doing what it's suppose to with the least amount of other worse side effects...I didn't want to mess with my liver or kidneys and I already have a thyroid problem. F 52 2 years
20 1X day
6/24/2011
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 1  MS Copaxone was great for one year. Then one evening right after the injection I got a bitter taste in my month, my chest felt like I was having a heart attack and the pain went down my spine and hit and bladder (which I lost control of) My face was beet red and hot and I truely thought I was dieing. Then after that passed in about 20 minutes I starting shaking and was freezing and couldn't breath. My blood pressure was sky high..... This has happened four times this past yr and told my Nero that there is NO WAY I am taking this med It is a scary medicine.....Did it work or help...... who knows. Weight gain was immediate upon starting injections.. F 70 2 years
30 mg 1X day
6/16/2011
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 5  RRMS I experience the usual site redness, bee string appearance, and wt gain. Asked WHOM motivates me to take the THERAPY...it is NOT a medication, ME,ME,ME I am the only one who suffers if I don't, my Dr.,hubby, son, don't!!! Take responsibility for YOURSELF. If you are deciding to "go off" copaxone, ask yourself how you will feel NOT being on it..you can't answer that one!!! Let alcohol swabbed area DRY before injecting!!! F 61 6 years
20mg 1X day
6/14/2011
 3   Itchy left hand (drives me crazy); peeling skin on my feet; the usutal injection site burning, itching, redness, brusiing or discoloration; weight gain; memory issues; anxiety; I have only been on the shots for 1 year. I want more time before I say whether it works or not. I really don't want to start over on anoher drug. I have had MS for 25+ years and this is the 1st time I have seriously taken medication. Does anyone feel I have too many side effects and should get off the CoPaxone? F 48 365 days
20 MG 1X day
5/6/2011
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 3  RRMS F 56 6 months
20 MG 1X day
4/20/2011
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Patient History
 1  MS I was fine until I suddenly developed edema in both legs they became huge I developed cellulitis in both legs I devsloped high temperature and became confused. Three weeks later after antibiotics and water tabs my legs are still swollen unable to wear any shoes I have also developed a leg ulcer, Needless to say I won't try this drug again. I was on avonex for 6years. I had flu like symptoms but got used to it, the Drs thought it was no longer working as I have been having increased relapses. F 53 2 weeks
1X day
4/13/2011
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 5  Diagnosed with MS 6 years ago I inject at night before I go to sleep. slight sting, sometimes not even that, a small welt that is usually gone the next day. I was diagnosed 6 years ago and starting taking Copaxone right away. I used to ice the area to be injected and that was good. But one night I just injected to a nice fatty part usually my stomach or my thighs. I don't know if it's working but so far there have been no changes that would effect my quality of life. It seems my doctor picked the right medicine. F 52 6 years
30 mg. 1X day
3/28/2011
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 5  rrms nothing major in 5 years. little swelling at site. because of thin arms hated arm shots. dr said skip this. if it aint broke dont fix it! no relapses but worried if rest of my innmune system is ok. had kidney stones 2 years ago, and am in midst of prostate scare. M 55 5 years
20 1X day
3/26/2011
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 2  RRMS I have had the regular "bee sting" feeling and welts that are itchy and last for days-all of which I could deal with. Last night was the decinding factor for going off this drug...I did my injection in the upper left arm and thought "funny, this time doesn't hurt. What's up with that" and then all of a sudden I started feeling a burning and numbness all over and ran upstairs to get my husband. As I was going up the stairs the pain got worse and I almost didn't make it. I stumbled into the bedroom and fell onto the bed telling him that I couldn't breathe and my chest was constricting and then my face started to burn and get really red and swollen. I was drenched in sweat and terrified. I thought I was going to die. I remembered that I was told that any symptoms should only last about 15 minutes so I tried to hang on, as time passsed I could breathe again but I had severe cramping in my stomach and had a severe, urgent bowel movement. After that I laid down an F 43 2.5 months
10mg 1X day
3/19/2011
 3   The usual culprits. And, occasionally no initial side effects at all :), until the day after :\. Does anyone have purple patches or 'ghosts' of previous injection sites? They are not really "bruises" by definition, e.g., co-agulated blood that disperses over time. These patches that I have, haven't gone away yet (5 months and counting), although they have become lighter in color and at times completely invisible only to reappear. Also, my attempts to tame the injection site side effects that have helped me include: **OTC medicated Cortizone10 anti-itch salve -- a couple of applications may be needed within 24 hr period (up to 4 allowed per directions). **After injection, I hold a cotton ball on site for about 1 minute and relax the site as much as I can, after which I swab with alcohol and apply a band-aid ( the 1/2-inch square style) for 6-12 hours, any longer and the band-aid may irritate skin. **Mint toothpaste (paste not gel) works to cool area, best done after 24 hours of injection. **A mint poltice also relieves the itching -- if you have an herbal garden with mint plant(s). Remember although alcohol cools, relieves, and cleanses, it is also a drying agent and will dry out your skin where it is applied, need to follow-up with a good moisturizer, I like Gold Bond -- it's kind of pricey but is worth it, plus it lasts longer than you might think. That's my 2-cents worth! F 51 5 months
20 1X day
3/15/2011
 5   Some itching, burning at injection site. Fat atrophy on top of thighs. One episode of chest tightness, wheezing and flushing-lasted only few minutes but frightening. MS nurse specialist suggested Zyrtec 10 mg at bedtime daily to help with injection rx's-has helped tremendously!! Take at bedtime as can make you sleepy. I have not had a relapse since the one that gave me a diagnosis-as far as I'm concerned there are no other drugs! No longer have to have yearly MRI-my scans improved steadily for several years and now show no new progression F 45 7 years
20mg 1X day
2/25/2011
 4  RR Bee sting, lil knots at injection site and weight gain. The weight gain is the biggest problem. I am having such a hard time getting it off. I want to stop the injections. I have tried Avonex but ended up in the Er with an allergic reaction, wasn't a fun weekend. I'm tired of having MS & I'm tired of doing these injection. Sick & tired of being sick & tired... Copaxone is a good medication. I would want to do any other drug for MS unless they finally got oral drugs for MS… F 46 8 years
1X day
2/24/2011
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 4  RRMS I've had the bee sting effect early on but after 15 months, it is much diminished. I have been very happy with this drug. I was DXed when I was 45, but looking back had symptoms for about a decade. I had the welts early on, and itching, but all that went away after the first few month. I rarely see any site reactions now. Every person reacts differently, but I recommend trying Copaxone to see if it works for you. M 47 438 days
40 1X day
2/22/2011
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 2  MS Very painful stinging. Red injection-site reaction. Itchy for days after injecting area. Heart palpitations. Flushy feeling. Easily out of breath. High blood pressure for a few hours following injection. Nausea. Sudden loss of appetite. Muscle twitches everywhere. Eye twitches. Limb spasms. Extreme fatigue. I went nine years without consistently being on therapy and was relatively well. I decided to finally give MS therapy another chance. I confessed to the new neurologist that I have not been 100% honest with previous neurologists, but I was ready to give any MS therapy he prescribed a chance. After hours of lecturing and scolding, I was prescribed Copaxone. Now I feel worse than the previous nine years. I tried bringing up these side-effects to the neurologist, but he dismisses them as irrelevant to Copaxone. I am beginning to feel like this honest patient streak is backfiring. Just because I confessed to past transgressions with my medical care, I feel the neurologist cannot look beyond it and start a clean slate and deal with the present. I do not want to appear like I'm looking for any excuse to be off therapy, so I am forcing myself to stay on therapy until it kills me. Cheers! F 25 4 months
20 MG 1X day
2/16/2011
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 3  RRMS burning after injection, swelling at injection site, intense itching for days after, some bruising. I have been on copaxone for 2 months now and I have no idea if it is working or not. I have a MRI in 2 weeks so I will find out then. At first I had very mild reactions to the injections but after time they became worse. I have huge goose eggs at injections site (especially in the arms) and the itching is making me crazy. Nothing seems to help and it gets so bad it keeps me awake with the burning and itching. I'm not sure how much longer I can continue if this keeps up. I keep my shots out for the entire month because my memory is so bad now and I do not trust myself to remember to take them out each morning. F 35 60 days
20 mg 1X day
1/24/2011

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