Products
Glatiramer acetate is commercially available as a solution for injection (Copaxone). It has been approved in many countries since 2004. Generic products were registered in 2015.
Structure and properties
Glatiramer acetate is the acetate salt of a synthetic polypeptide of the four natural amino acids glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, and lysine. The average molecular mass is between 5000 to 9000 Da. It is an analog of myelin basic protein, which is an autoantigen in MS.
Effects
Glatiramer acetate (ATC L03AX13) has immunomodulatory properties. The drug reduces the number of relapses and the time interval between relapses.
Indications
For the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Dosage
According to the SmPC. The solution for injection is administered subcutaneously once daily using a prefilled syringe. The injection site should be changed daily.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Pregnancy
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
Drug-drug interactions are possible with agents that are strongly bound to plasma proteins.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include administration site reactions, pain, anxiety, depression, weakness, respiratory disturbances, infectious disease, headache, vasodilatation, rash, and nausea.
