Glatopa injection

Generic name: Glatiramer (injection)

Usage of Glatopa injection

Glatopa is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults (including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease).

Glatopa will not cure MS, but it can make relapses occur less often.

Glatopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Glatopa injection side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may occur within minutes after an injection. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: itching, rash, swelling, warmth, skin redness, tingling, anxiety, fast or pounding heartbeats, chest pain, tightness in your throat, or trouble breathing.

This type of reaction may occur even after you have been using Glatopa for several months.

Glatopa may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

chest pain (may occur alone or with other side effects shortly after an injection);

pain, burning, irritation, or skin changes where the injection was given; or

symptoms of liver failure--diarrhea, loss of appetite, pain or swelling in your stomach, swelling in your legs, easy bleeding, drowsiness, confusion, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects include:

feeling short of breath;

flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

rash; or

redness, pain, itching, swelling, or a lump where the injection was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Glatopa injection

You should not use Glatopa if you are allergic to Glatopa or to mannitol.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How to use Glatopa injection

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Glatopa can be given using a prefilled syringe or an optional autoinjector. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Glatopa is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row. This medicine injections are given either daily or 3 times per week, depending on your dose.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use Glatopa if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

If you are using an autoinjector, make sure it is the right one. You can get the wrong dose if you use the incorrect autoinjector. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Store the prefilled syringes in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any syringe that has been frozen.

Take the medicine out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature for 20 minutes before injecting your dose.

If refrigeration is not available, a prefilled syringe will keep for up to 30 days if stored at room temperature. Protect from moisture, light, and high heat.

Throw away a prefilled syringe after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors or has particles in it.

Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What other drugs will affect Glatopa injection

Other drugs may affect Glatopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.