Glatiramer Acetate

What is glatiramer acetate?

Glatiramer acetate is called an immunomodulator. Glatiramer acetate is a preventer medicine. It will work with your child's immune system to prevent damage to your child's nerves. It may slow down the disease and your child may have fewer flare-ups.

Glatiramer acetate will not cure multiple sclerosis.

You may also hear glatiramer acetate called copolymer-1, or its brand name, Copaxone.

How should you give your child glatiramer acetate?

Follow these instructions when giving your child glatiramer acetate:

• Glatiramer is given by needle under the skin. This is called a subcutaneous injection. You may hear it called a "sub-Q" injection. If you give your child the injections at home, do it exactly as your child's nurse or doctor showed you.
• Give your child glatiramer acetate at the same time each day. Pick a time that is easy for you so that you do not miss a dose.
• You will give the glatiramer acetate in special spots or injection sites on your child's body. A site can be used only 1 time per week. A diary can be used to help you keep track of the injections. Using a site more than once per week can cause the site to become hard and sore, or dimpled.
• Make sure you have enough glatiramer acetate to last through weekends and holidays.
• Do not stop giving glatiramer acetate without checking with your child's doctor.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of glatiramer acetate?

If your child misses a dose of medicine:

• Give your child the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If you remember the next day, skip the missed dose.
• Give your child the next dose at the regular time.
• Give your child only 1 dose per day.

What are the possible side effects of glatiramer acetate?

Your child may have some side effects while they receive glatiramer acetate. Usually your child will not need to see a doctor about them. These side effects may go away as your child's body gets used to glatiramer acetate. Check with your child's doctor if your child has any of these signs or symptoms and they do not go away or they bother your child:

• chest tightness
• flushing (the skin turning red and warm)
• anxiety or restlessness
• throat tightness
• wanting to throw up
• muscle tightness or weakness
• joint or neck pain
• shortness of breath
• rash
• rapid or pounding heart beat
• pain, redness, itching, or lumps where the needle was put in

Your child may feel some of these side effects (chest tightness, flushing, and anxiety) a few minutes after the injection. This feeling can last about 15 minutes. Call your child's doctor or go to the nearest Emergency Department if the feeling is severe or does not go away after 30 minutes. This feeling can happen at any time, even if your child has been receiving glatiramer acetate for a long time. The feeling usually happens only once. Your child can continue to take glatiramer if they get this feeling.

Call your child's doctor or nurse as soon as possible, during office hours, if your child has any of these signs:

• unexplained sore throat
• white patches in the mouth
• pain while eating or swallowing

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to the Emergency Department if your child has any of these side effects:

• chest pain
• itchy, blotchy swelling of the skin (hives)
• dizziness
• difficulty breathing
• unexplained fever
• severe pain at the injection site
• sweating

What other important information should you know about glatiramer acetate?

• Glatiramer acetate does not give the same results in all children. Your child's results may be better or not as good as the results of other children who take glatiramer acetate.
• After you give your child the injection, throw away the needles and syringes in the special container that was given to you. If you did not receive a special container or if your container is full, an empty large plastic container with a small opening, such as an empty liquid laundry detergent container, may be used.
• Vials with glatiramer acetate powder in them must be kept in the refrigerator. The vial of powder will be good for only 7 days if it is kept at room temperature. The liquid used to mix the glatiramer acetate may be kept at room temperature.
• Use the vial as soon as it has been mixed (reconstituted). Do not use the glatiramer acetate if it has been mixed for longer than 8 hours.
• Give glatiramer acetate when it is at room temperature. After mixing, wait about 5 minutes before giving the injection. Room temperature injections do not hurt as much as cold injections.
• Throw away the vial in the special container that was provided after the dose has been taken from the vial. Throw away the vial even if there is medicine left in the vial.
• Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine, even medicines you can buy without a doctor's order (prescription).
• Tell your doctor if your child has an allergy to mannitol.
• If you are traveling, keep glatiramer acetate vials in a cooler with ice or an ice pack.
  

Keep glatiramer acetate out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much glatiramer acetate, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.