Copaxone information

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Here's the information I mentioned in my last post... the link n sent the week before ast (I think?). This explains it very well! (How Copaxone works and how it differs from other treatments). Challis ~~ (From: http://www.msakc.org/Articles/Copaxone.htm) Copaxone (glatiramer acetate for injection) Information provided by Teva n, manufacturers of Copaxone MS Therapies There are two classes of these therapies: interferon (Betaseron & Avonex) and non-interferon (Copaxone & Novantrone). Copaxone is glatiramer acetate for injection. These therapies work to reduce the number of relapses, flare-ups or exacerbations.

Reducing the relapses, or lengthening the time between them, has both physical and psychological benefits. Almost all doctors and neurologists are now advising people with MS to begin use of one of the disease-modifying agents (Copaxone, Betaseron, Avonex, Novantrone) as early in the disease process as possible, and to continue the use of therapy once started, unless there is a clear lack of benefit, intolerable side effects, new data which reveals other reasons for cessation, or better therapy is available. Copaxone significantly reduces the number of relapses in people with relapsing-remitting MS. Copaxone appears to work differently from any other therapy you and your doctor could choose. For many people with multiple sclerosis, the effectiveness and tolerability of Copaxone make it the best choice. Avonex and Betaseron are interferons, which affect many immune reactions in

the body. Copaxone is the only non-steroidal, non-interferon MS therapy. Copaxone is thought to modify those elements within the immune process that are believed to be responsible for MS. How Copaxone Works Copaxone appears to block myelin-specific autoimmune responses. The active ingredient of Copaxone, glatiramer acetate, consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides that resemble the structure of myelin basic protein. Myelin basic protein is thought to be one of the areas the immune system attacks in 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 Studies One of the first published studies to measure the therapeutic power of Copaxone studied 50 patients with relapsing-remitting MS for a 2-year period. Analysis of the study concluded that more Copaxone patients (56%) were relapse-free than placebo patients (28%). Patients with Copaxone had a significantly lower average number of relapses (0.6 relapses with Copaxone versus 2.4 relapses with placebo). This difference equated to a 75% reduction in relapses between Copaxone and placebo-treated patients. To test the therapeutic impact and tolerability of Copaxone, a second study was conducted at 11 different medical centers with 251 relapsing-remitting MS patients. In this study patients were given Copaxone or placebo for 24 months and the primary measure was the reduction of relapses. At the end of the 24-month trial, patients on Copaxone had a lower average number of relapses (1.19 for Copaxone compared to

1.68 for placebo). This difference equated to a 29% reduction in relapses between Copaxone and placebo-treated patients. Further analysis of the study showed that 24% of the Copaxone treated patients were relapse-free at the end of the study versus 27% of the placebo-treated patients. Also, the average time before the first relapse was more than 30% later with the Copaxone group than with the placebo group. Measuring on the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale), most patients in the study did not experience confirmed sustained progression of disability (98 out of 125 or 78% of Copaxone patients and 95 out of 126, or 75% of placebo patients). Side Effects People who have chosen Copaxone as their MS therapy often cite its tolerability as one of the treatment's most impressive characteristics. While no medication is free of side effects, non-interferon Copaxone has been

shown to be an effective and well-tolerated therapy. In patients receiving Copaxone, there was no clinically significant difference in flu-like symptoms, depression or fatigue when compared with placebo in controlled clinical studies. 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 injections), flushing, chest pain, weakness, infection, pain, nausea, joint pain, anxiety and muscle stiffness. Injections site reactions are usually mild and most often do not require professional treatment. Some patients have reported an immediate post-injection reaction after injecting Copaxone. This reaction is characterized by flushing or chest tightness with heart palpitations, anxiety and difficulty in breathing. In clinical trials these symptoms occurred rarely, generally

appeared with minutes of an injection, lasted approximately 15 minutes and resolved without further problems. Of the approximately 900 patients evaluated for safety, the maximum number of reaction reported by any one patient was seven over a 2-year period. Of 19 patients who reported the reaction in the later pivotal trial, 10 patients had one episode, 4 had two episodes, 3 had three episodes and 2 had four or more episodes. The reaction has been described as "bothersome but benign." Other Copaxone Facts Copaxone does not produce the neutralizing antibodies (where the body views the treatment as a foreign invader and works to neutralize its effect) that affect interferon products. Copaxone is no more associated with depression or fatigue than a placebo. Copaxone is not associated with menstrual disorders.

Unlike the interferons, there is no recommendation to monitor liver function or complete blood count with Copaxone. Women on Copaxone therapy should consult their physicians before planning pregnancy. Copaxone is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to glatiramer acetate or mannitol. For more information about Copaxone, visit their website at http://www.copaxone.com/. Information provided by Teva n, manufacturers of Copaxone

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