copaxone versus avonex

yes, it was the va neuro recently that mentioned rebif or avonex and suggested strongly i go with one of them versus the copaxone. this guy typically minimizes any symptom i have(my impression). can't talk to a nurse there until doc Rx's something. i don't even want to discuss that office.

I am taking a 6 week break from the Avonex and will be starting Copaxone at the end of April. I actually have two questions: 1) Has anyone taken a break from their medication for that long (and if so, any consequences) and 2) Has anyone switched from Avonex to Copaxone, and if so, how did you do? I still after all these years lose a day on the weekend due to the side effects of the Avonex and am hoping that will not be the result with Copaxone.

Is anyone on avonex? My dr. wants to switch me to avonex, but with having lupus, I really don't want to go on an interferon. I'm on copaxone, now but because I have large welts on my arms he wants to switch me. I don't want to switch. Do I have the right to deny a new medication I feel would be detrimental to me?

I am sorry things didnt work out for you with Copaxone. If it were not for all the injection site reactions, I think the Copaxone would have worked well for you.

I was on Copaxone and had to stop due to it lowering my blood pressure, I didn't have any reactions to coming off of the med though wasn't even warned that there would be. Good luck with whatever you try next, my body doesn't agree with medications, I have been through Copaxone, Gilenya and Avonex, not sure what I am going to do now. I am sure you and your doctor will come up with the right therapy for you. Good luck!

I have been on Avonex and am now on Copaxone. With the Avonex, it is exactly how Quix describes. The needle really does go in, like going through butter. I too have hit some small blood vessels while injecting during those years and had a spurt of blood shooting into the air. Scared the dickens out of me. I applied pressure to the site and only had slight bruising for a couple days after injection.

My problem with Avonex is needle-phobia, and I don’t self-inject anymore, but after 10 years on Copaxone daily you’re a pro with needles! Many patients live well on Tysabri and Gilenya, but there are well documented risks that might not be worth facing if your MS is stable. And Gilenya (along with others about to hit the market) still may be a bit of an unknown. Yes, I’m biased … I tried Gilenya about a year ago for 19 days and couldn’t handle its side effects on my heart.

what MS shots copaxone, rebif, betaseron & avonex has the smallest percentage of blood fractions

Hi, I to am on Copaxone and have been for 4 months as well, and I can't say that I have gained weight... sorry, but I too watch calories all the time so have not noticed to much difference. Hope you can get to the bottom of it ...

He recommends Avonex because my sister is on that and she is doing great. I am leaning toward Copaxone because it is the one with the least side affects. I am not too fond of giving myself a shot everyday but I don't want to have to worry about liver problems and flu like symptoms either. My sister has been on Avonex for the past 8 years and she is doing remarkable. I love the fact that she is doing well, but I am not fond of the weekly intramuscular shot, I know waaaa what a baby lol.

Hi Ali. I can tell you my experience with Copaxone. I was just diagnosed in Dec of 07. I haven't been on any other MS med. I was put on Copaxone. In those 3 months I struggled with depression, sleeplessness, gained 10 lbs and had terrible dark circles under my eyes. It completely changed my personality. I took myself off it and finally after 2 weeks am starting to feel like myself again and have dropped the weight and the circles under my eyes are gone.

If I have to switch I am thinking about Avonex cause it is a weekly shot versus every day or 3 times a week, but I will see what he suggests and we can go from there.

After turning out to have an allergy to Copaxone and then being on Avonex for years, I want to be on an oral med if at all doable. Comments/experiences anyone?

ll officially diagnose me w/ MS. He sent me home with literature on Avonex and Copaxone to read and decide which med I want to start. I am suppose to call him the middle of next week for my lab results and let him know which med I want to start. I'm thinking of starting Copaxone cuz little to no side effects and its not metabolized through your liver. But, does it slow the progression of the disease like Avonex?

t go on avonex because my doc said its not strong enough, that it would just be like going back on copaxone.

I called one of the nurses at my MS clinic today. I told her I was struggling between Copaxone and Avonex. I said I felt like Avonex would be better at helping to stop the progression of the disease but she said that at that particular clinic they felt that Copaxone was more effective than Avonex.... I don't know what to believe anymore!

m pretty sure that I have seen someone on this site ask about hair loss with Avonex, maybe they will see this and answer you.

Copaxone (or other DMDs) won't eliminate exacerbations. Its efficacy is better measured by comparing to how often you had relapses prior to treatment and how your MRIs compare. It's possible you need to change, but please don't be afraid of the interferons. The flu-like side effects are often manageable, and they often become less troubling after the first few months or even sooner.

ve kicked around the CRABs here, a lot. Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron are the primary four. Your doctor didn't offer Tysabri as your fifth, did he? I like the Decision Maker tool in the uk that walks you through the drugs and helps you figure what is important for you. You can access this at http://www.msdecisions.org.uk welcome to the world of drugs aand bills. I'm glad to hear you are getting treatment for your CIS. Congrats on that one.

That was my experience when I took Avonex. Since I now take Copaxone and have only been on it for a little over a year, I cannot give you a personal view of how well the drug is working for me. I am beginning to notice less relapses, though. How DMD's work is not fully understood. With a few of the DMD's it is thought that the ingredients give the immune system something else to "attack" and will leave your Central Nervous System alone.

I just started Avonex this week and it was by far a better experience for me than copaxone. Copaxone burned and left nasty irritated injection site welts. The only side effect I had from Avonex is that I was a bit tired. I took the pain relievers and didn't have any bad side effects. I just recommend taking it easy. Oh and the injection itself didn't really hurt at all.

Copaxone versus avonex

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