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WednesdayMS Neighborhood : Copaxone
LINKCopaxone (glatiramer acetate for injection) has demonstrated benefit in effectively reducing the number of relapses in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Avonex and Betaseron are interferons, which affect many immune reactions in the body. Copaxone is thought to modify those elements within the immune process that are believed to be responsible for MS. While it's not known exactly how Copaxone works, it's believed to block myelin-damaging T-cells in the body by serving as a myelin decoy. This is believed to stimulate suppressor T-cells and inhibit effector T-cell growth and interleuken-2 and gamma interferon secretion. Copaxone is the first nonsteroidal, non-interferon MS drug therapy available to people living with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of Copaxone are injection site reactions (redness, pain, inflammation, itching, a lump at the site of injection), flushing, chest pain, weakness, infection, pain, nausea, joint pain, anxiety and muscle stiffness. Some patients have reported an immediate post-injection reaction characterized by flushing or chest tightness with heart palpitations, anxiety and difficulty breathing immediately after using Copaxone. In clinical trials, these symptoms occurred rarely, generally appeared within minutes of the injection, lasted approximately 15 minutes and resolved without further problem |