Copaxone vs avonex

Common Questions and Answers about Copaxone vs avonex

copaxone

Avatar f tn 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.
Avatar f tn Well now, as someone allergic to Copaxone, I do sympathize. I suffered till I couldn't stand it another day. It doesn't get better. Still, why are you not considering one of the interferons? After switching from Copaxone, I've been on Avonex many months and have had little trouble with side effects. I pre-medicate and sleep off the vast majority of the reaction. That's true with a great many of us here. Tysabri is somewhat scary to me.
387113 tn?1313512083 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?
400099 tn?1282954864 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?
422172 tn?1215990852 efficacy of combining Avonex and Copaxone; and a natural history study, as an adjunct to the Avonex/Copaxone study. I declined all of them as I live about 450 kms from the research facility and being in a study involves monthly follow ups. Winter was around the corner, I was overwhelmed by my dx, and did not want to make a commitment to be doing all that travel. In hindsight I wish now that I had opted to do the Avonex/Copaxone study.
462771 tn?1358355843 50mL prefilled syringes of Avonex for the whole time, so is that comparable to the Copaxone dose? They called and left me a message that they would be ok with me staying on Avonex to give it more time to evaluate it's efficacy if I wanted to, and since I just got another 3 month supply, I think I'm going to give it a shot (no pun intended). It just makes me worry that if I have an aggressive form of RRMS, is any of this doing any good?
Avatar f tn s work about the same and the choice you have to make depends on your personal preferences. Copaxone is one class of drug while Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron are all interferons. The British UK site has one of the best walk-throughs on picking a drug that I have seen. It discusses in depth each DMD and its side-effects and injection schedule/technique. Just pretend you live in the UK and spend about 45 minutes working through their presentation and you will feel so much smarter.
1168718 tn?1464983535 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!
Avatar n tn 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.
Avatar n tn what MS shots copaxone, rebif, betaseron & avonex has the smallest percentage of blood fractions
Avatar f tn 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 ...
1396846 tn?1332459510 Just as some people respond better to Avonex vs. Copaxone (or vice versa, or others), some people will respond better to acetaminophen vs. ibuprofen, etc.
439601 tn?1357860886 So sorry I haven't responded earlier-please let me know how yall are doing ! I think we were the only people who mentioned liver issues with Avonex for there were no onther postings here since you. I pray your husband is much better. Keep in touch please. Be well.
1396846 tn?1332459510 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.
Avatar n tn 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.
1532707 tn?1312155924 So far since being diagnosed in 2010 I started on Copaxone, switched to Avonex, Now they want to switch me to Gilenya. due to exacerbations/mri leasions increasing. I guess I'm happy about no more injections but what does it take to stop a 20 ton elephant in your brain? is this still partly normal to try all these drugs to no avail? I'm tired of this can I take this Christmas present back to the store to exchange it?
Avatar f tn 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?