Copaxone vs interferon

Common Questions and Answers about Copaxone vs interferon

copaxone

675058 tn?1226445723 Right now, the only FDA approved medications are either injectable or by transfusion, but the infusions aren't prescribed as first-line treatments. Some oral medications, such as Fingolimod and BG00012 are in clinical trials right now. That would be the only way of getting them right now. If you're interested in that, you could do a web search to see where the different oral meds are being trialled.
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?
1196859 tn?1266134938 I have been on both Rebif and Copaxone. I was on Rebif for about 5 years, and I have been on Copaxone for two. I didn't have any problems with the Rebif except for the high liver functions. That is why I am on Copaxone. I think there is no difference in the injection pain. They both were very minimal. My worst pain was in my arms for some reason. The daily injections aren't bad, especially since you don't get sick.
Avatar f tn II tried Copaxone and had (I guess) flu like symptom plus double vision. The Dr. referred me to the internet and told me to decide between the interferon drugs and Novantrone (?). That one was just too scary. I'm wondering if any of you have been on the interferon drugs and what kind of side effects you experienced. These drugs do acknowledge flu like side effects while Copaxone didn't even. Am I wrong to anticipate a long lasting flu?
7463086 tn?1391008763 It is the lone injectable that is not an interferon and so acts differently to modify the disease. (Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron = interferons. Copaxone is Glatiramer Acetate.) I'll be honest, another reason I gave it a miss was the possibility of welts and lipoatrophy. What can I say? I'm vain! However I do think the latter is significantly lessened with vigilant injection site rotation.
Avatar n tn what MS shots copaxone, rebif, betaseron & avonex has the smallest percentage of blood fractions
Avatar f tn Hi Kiara, Copaxone is the lesser of two evils when it comes to side effects. The injection site hurts like Hell and swells up but the swelling and pain goes away within minutes. Interferon knocks you off your feet, literally! 'Flu like symptons'...my ***! Interferon really isn't fun. Which one works better? Ask your neurologist. They can't give you a straight answer. As everyone knows it's about quality of life. For me, I'm fine with a bee sting every morning.
Avatar f tn I was just sick to my stomach when I found out all MS treatments were shots. I was put on Copaxone by my Neuro about 3 years ago. The good thing about Copaxone is the autoject device that does all the "tricky" work for you. You never see the needle , no pinching skin and jabbing it in etc. It is atleast something I "CAN DO"despite being squimish! Hope that helps a bit!
Avatar m tn interferon+tenofovir is the best option today, mono vs combo below: peginterferon: hbsag clearance at 1 year about 7-10% which increases to about 30% at 5-10years after intf is finished (intf effect remains after finished for years) tenofovir: 16% hbsag clearance at 3 years peginterferon+tenofovir: 24% hbsag clearance at 1 year sequential combination: 3 years of tenofovir and then interferon add on for 2 years: hbsag clearance about 40% first year, 50% hbsag decrease to very low levels aro
572735 tn?1217201019 ( AVONEX, REBIF,COPAXONE BETA, TYSABRI?) I AM ,I HAVE TRIED ALL, GETTING READY TO TRY BETA, MY DOC WONT PUT ME ON TYSABRI, AFTER THIS WHATS NEXT? I DONT WANT TO GIVE UP. I'M SO DEPRESSED I'M AFARID IM GONNA BE ALLERGIC TO BETA THAN WHAT? PENNY K.
195469 tn?1388322888 Paul O’Connor (University of Toronto) and colleagues reported results of the BEYOND study, evaluating the effectiveness of high and low doses (500 mcg vs. 250 mcg) of Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b) and Copaxone. Participants numbered 899, 892, and 448 in these groups, respectively. No differences were found in the risk of relapse, the primary endpoint, or secondary endpoints such as MRI findings.
900662 tn?1469390305 Apparently some react better to the interferon-based drugs, and some do better with Copaxone. Evidently I should have been on the interferon-based drugs to begin with. I didn't get this information from the sources that I consulted before picking Copaxone, so I thought I'd better pass that along. (It's quite possible that the information is there, and I just didn't absorb it.
1755625 tn?1421447637 I got mixed advice when I was taking interferon. The pharmacist and the injection nurse at the clinic I attend both told me to wear a face mask around people, because they were sure I was taking something that would lower my immune system. But when the Rebif nurse visited me at home, she explained that the type of interferon we take (interferon beta 1a or 1b) affect T cells, and don't have a seriously averse affect on our immune systems.
1755625 tn?1421447637 Ive decided to go with Copaxone, after much hard deliberation and waiting on the result of a chest X-ray and anti dsDNA results . They were normal so I guess that ruled out sarcoidosis and lupus? Idk I was debating between Copaxone and Avonex. I had pros an cons for both but I decided I would save the interferon treatments for if my MS got worst. Not sure if that's logical but oh well. The flu like side effects and the IM injection was what made me decide against Avonex.
Avatar f tn I've been taking is copaxone, and it hasn't been working so I'm switching medications. I'm not really sure which medicine I should take next does anyone have any suggestions?
Avatar f tn Some folks on theis forum have had it happen. I have been on Copaxone for about 120 days with no issues related to the Copaxone.
Avatar n tn My insurance prescription coverage only covers generic drugs and since there is no generic drug for Copaxone it would cost me $10,000 for a 3 month supply! I obviously do not have that kind of money, not really sure who could afford that but anyway... I was working with Shared Solutions and their medication assistance only to be told that I was inelidgeable for the assistance.
1369165 tn?1282173954 I too am a Copaxone girl. 7 months as of today. I chose Copaxone because bad depression runs in my family and liver issues so I wanted to avoid the other shots. ok a shot everyday though not fun is really not a big deal as far as pain goes. (it is shallow and fast) There are some side affects that people have had trouble with but to date here is all that I have had: 1) I had a weird rash all over my torso...did not itch or hurt was just there....
Avatar f tn This leaves me wondering do I go with the more aggressive treatment for NMO, Copaxone (there are some indications that other MS treatments may exaserbate NMO) or wait and see. I'm 37 yr old and this all started probably about 3 years ago; just for the first 2 years i thought it was a chiropractic issue that seemed to go away with treatment and physical therapy. However in the last year, the chiro sent me to the ER for an MRI. Since then I'm at 2 TM episodes (T2-T3 and T5) and 1 ON.