Glatiramer acetate
Description
Glatiramer acetate is used for the reduction of frequency of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord). This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Glatiramer acetate
- Neck pain
- Skin rash
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Runny Nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Double vision
- Weight gain
- Swelling of fingers, arms, feet or legs
- Tightness in chest
- Back pain
- Diarrhea
- Painful cold sores or blisters
- Ear pain
- Blood in urine
Uses of Glatiramer acetate
What is it prescribed for?
- Multiple sclerosis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to glatiramer acetate, mannitol, or any other inactive ingredient present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Post-injection reactions
Use of this medicine may cause post-injection reactions such as chest pain, anxiety, breathlessness, constriction of the throat, flushing, skin rash, irregular heartbeat, etc. in some patients. These reactions may also occur following several months of the initiation of the treatment. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Risk of infections
Use of this medicine may weaken the immune system and may make you more vulnerable to infections. It is advised that you avoid coming in contact with people suffering from an infection while receiving this medicine.
Lipoatrophy and skin necrosis
The healthcare professional should follow proper injection technique and rotate injection sites daily while administering this medicine to avoid the risk of development of lipoatrophy (localized loss of fat tissue) and skin necrosis.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss any scheduled session, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Natalizumab
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine prevents certain immune cells that damage the nerve cells from reaching the brain and spinal cord.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Other Immunostimulants
Schedule
Schedule H
Glatiramer - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 10 May 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 28 December 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - Glatiramer acetate- glatiramer acetate injection, solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 10 May 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 28 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 10 May 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.