(gla TIR a mer) Brand: Copaxone
• Use this medicine exactly as it was predesigned for you. Do not use the medicine in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.
• Glatiramer is given as an injection under your skin. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medication at house. Do not use this medication at house if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and syringes used in giving the medicine.
• Do not stop using glatiramer without first talking with your doctor.
• Glatiramer vials and prefilled syringes are for a single use only. Throw away the vial or syringe after every injection.
• Store the prefilled syringes and vials (bottles) of glatiramer in the refrigerator. Do not let the medication to freeze.
• You may also store glatiramer at room temperature, away from moisture, easy, and tall heat. Glatiramer will hold for up to 30 days if stored at room temperature. Throw away any unused glatiramer that has been at room temperature for longer than 30 days.
• Some people receiving a glatiramer injection have had a severe reaction. Speak your caregiver right away if you feel anxious, warm, itchy, tingly, or have a pounding heartbeat, tightness in your throat, or trouble breathing during the injection. This type of reaction may occur even after you have been using glatiramer for different months.
• Glatiramer is a combination of four amino acids (proteins) that affect the immune system.
• Glatiramer is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and to prevent relapse of MS.
• This medicine will not cure MS, but it can create relapses occur smaller often.
• Glatiramer may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to glatiramer or to mannitol.
• To create certain glatiramer is safety for you, speak your doctor about your another medical conditions.
• FDA pregnancy category B. Glatiramer is not expected to harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether glatiramer passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Use exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not use in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
• Glatiramer is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at house. Do not self inject this medication if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions for safety and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Wash and dry your hands till preparing the syringe and giving the injection.
• Glatiramer prefilled syringes are for a single use only. Throw away the vial or syringe after every injection.
• Till using the prefilled syringe, take it out of the refrigerator and allow it warm at room temperature for 20 minutes. Do not warm the medicine in a microwave or hot water. Do not remove air bubbles from the prefilled syringe or you may accidentally remove a little amount of the medicine.
• Do not use glatiramer if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
• Use a various seat on your body every time you give yourself an injection. Your doctor will show you the places on your body where you can safely inject the medicine. Do not inject glatiramer into the same seat two times within 1 week.
• Do not stop using glatiramer without first talking with your doctor.
• Use every disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Hold this container out of the reach of children and pets.
• Store the prefilled syringes and vials (bottles) of glatiramer in the refrigerator. Do not let the medication to freeze.
• You may also store glatiramer at room temperature, away from moisture, easy, and tall heat. Glatiramer will hold for up to 30 days if stored at room temperature. Throw away any unused glatiramer that has been at room temperature for longer than 30 days.
• Use the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not use extra medication to create up the missed dose.
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
• Some people receiving a glatiramer injection have had a severe reaction. Speak your caregiver right away if you feel anxious, warm, itchy, tingly, or have a pounding heartbeat, tightness in your throat, or trouble breathing during the injection. This type of reaction may occur even after you have been using glatiramer for different months.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using glatiramer and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
· chest pain;
· severe rash or skin irritation;
· dizziness, sweating, trouble breathing;
· pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; or
· severe pain where the injection is given.
• Smaller serious side effects include:
· redness, minor pain, itching, swelling, or a heavy lump where the injection was given;
· flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
· double vision;
· nausea, vomiting, heighten urge to urinate or have a bowel movement;
· weakness, back pain;
· runny nose;
· swelling in your hands or feet;
· vaginal itching or discharge;
· fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sore throat; or
· white patches or sores internal your mouth or on your lips.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• There may be another drugs that can interact with glatiramer. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about glatiramer.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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