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Glatiramer acetate is a prescription medicine injected under the skin to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults. These include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease. It is a disease-modifying treatment, not a cure for multiple sclerosis.
read more about glatiramer ...Glatiramer acetate is used to reduce disease activity in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. A clinician considers the type of multiple sclerosis and the patient's treatment history when prescribing it. It is not used to provide immediate relief during a relapse.
Glatiramer acetate changes immune activity involved in multiple sclerosis. Its precise mechanism has not been fully established. Treatment aims to reduce inflammatory attacks on the nervous system over time.
Glatiramer acetate is injected under the skin with a prefilled syringe. The 20 mg strength is given daily, while the 40 mg strength is given three times weekly at least 48 hours apart. Patients learn injection technique and rotate sites to reduce skin injury.
Injection site reactions and brief flushing, chest discomfort, or a racing heartbeat can occur. Glatiramer acetate also carries a boxed warning for anaphylaxis, which can happen even after years of treatment. Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, throat swelling, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction.
No. Glatiramer acetate is a disease-modifying medicine for relapsing multiple sclerosis.
No. The 20 mg and 40 mg strengths have different schedules, so follow the prescribed product instructions.
Yes. A brief post-injection reaction can include chest discomfort, but similar symptoms can occur with a serious allergic reaction. Seek urgent care if symptoms are severe or include breathing trouble.
Rotating sites helps reduce local skin problems, including loss of fatty tissue under the skin. Follow the injection training provided by the care team.
Copaxone, Glatopa (glatiramer acetate): Drug Safety Communication - FDA Adds Boxed Warning About a Rare but Serious Allergic Reaction Called Anaphylaxis. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/copaxone-glatopa-glatiramer-acetate-drug-safety-communication-fda-adds-boxed-warning-about-rare. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.
FDA adds Boxed Warning about a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis with the multiple sclerosis medicine glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-adds-boxed-warning-about-rare-serious-allergic-reaction-called-anaphylaxis-multiple-sclerosis. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.
Glatiramer (subcutaneous route) - Side effects & dosage. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/glatiramer-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20064045. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.
GLATIRAMER ACETATE- glatiramer acetate injection injection, solution. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=707a64ef-964e-44a3-8a0f-fcc2eb5b1af2. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.
Glatiramer Injection. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603016.html. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.