Glatiramer Acetate

A to Z Drug Facts

Glatiramer Acetate

  Action
  Indications
  Contraindications
  Route/Dosage
  Interactions
  Lab Test Interferences
  Adverse Reactions
  Precautions
Patient Care Considerations
  Administration/Storage
  Assessment/Interventions
  Patient/Family Education


(glah-TEER-ah-mer ASS-eh-tate)
Copaxone
Class: Immune modifier

 Action Unknown. May modify the immune processes that are thought to be responsible for multiple sclerosis (MS).

 Indications To reduce the frequency of relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

 Contraindications Hypersensitivity to glatiramer acetate or mannitol.

 Route/Dosage

ADULTS: SC 20 mg q day.

 Interactions None well documented.

 Lab Test Interferences None well documented.

 Adverse Reactions

CV: Vasodilation; chest pain; palpitations; tachycardia; syncope; hypertension. CNS: Anxiety; depression; migraine headache; asthenia; hypertonia; tremor; dizziness; nervousness; agitation; confusion; abnormal dreams; emotional liability; stupor; foot drop. DERM: Rash; pruritis; sweating; flushing; urticaria; nodules. GI: Nausea; diarrhea; vomiting; anorexia; oral moniliasis. GU: Urinary urgency; vaginal moniliasis; dysmenorrhea. HEMA: Ecchymosis; lymphadenopathy. META: Peripheral edema; edema of face; weight gain. EENT: Nystagmus; ear pain; rhinitis; laryngismus. RESP: Dyspnea; bronchitis; hyperventilation. OTHER: Pain; fever; chills; “flu-like” syndrome; arthralgia; injections site reaction (pain, erythema, inflammation, pruritis, induration, welt, hemorrhage, urticaria, atrophy, abscess, mass); infection; neck pain.

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category B. Lactation: Undetermined. Children: Safety and efficacy in children < 18 not established. Immunity: Could possibly interfere with useful immune function (eg, decreased defense against infection or tumor surveillance). Immediate post-injection reaction: Approximately 10% of patients experience a constellation of symptoms immediately after injection. Symptoms may include: Flushing; chest pain; palpitations; anxiety; dyspnea; constriction of throat; urticaria. These symptoms are usually transient and self-limited and generally occur several months after starting therapy.


PATIENT CARE CONSIDERATIONS


 Administration/Storage

 Assessment/Interventions

 Patient/Family Education

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© 2003 Facts and Comparisons
David S. Tatro
A to Z Drug Facts