Glatiramer and Injection Site Pain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2014

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Copaxone now for 6 weeks. Started on Tecfidera, and that was just a horrible experience, so I switched to Copaxone three times a week. I also encountered an Autoject problem, and after one week, switched to doing the injection manually. The site reactions are pretty much gone, but I do use heat prior and ice post-injection to keep whatever reaction occurs to a minimum. I have only been diagnosed for 3 months now, but I have so much more energy than I have had for a very long time, so my experience has definitely been positive!"

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 31, 2019

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I had injection site reactions, shortness of breath, and mild chest pains. I was told these were normal reactions that would pass. Well, they in fact never passed. Instead, this drug caused me to go into anaphylactic shock. I'm lucky I'm here to write this review. I checked and cannot find anywhere on this drug's page where my experience was indicated. It shows similar reactions but years ago. My experience was within the last few years. It is important that people comment with anaphylactic shock reactions so more people are aware. So, I felt compelled to share my story."

• Neh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2016

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I think Copaxone has been great for me, no serious relapses. I went to 40 mg because 3x a week sounded better than 7, right!? I wish I had just stayed with the 20 mg, been doing it for years, never had any issues. Getting a lot more site reactions now with the 40 mg, lumps, itching, painful, etc. Talked to my doctor about going back to 20 mg, he said there is a generic available and most insurance companies are gonna try to push people toward the generic now. I might be stuck with the 40 mg. My advice would be, just stick with the daily shots."

• Mid...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 6, 2013

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed in 2001 with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. I never had any major flare-ups. I took Avonex for 5 years but didn't notice any real difference. I went on to Copaxone 5 years ago. What a revelation! The major difference is it took my tiredness away. There was a painful injection and one incidence of a 'heart attack that wasn't,' but it was worth it for the lack of fatigue. I can now work full-time, walk miles, etc."

• Jsw...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 6, 2022

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Copaxone for 15 years. It's the only medication I've been on for MS. Overall, great med. One flare-up in that time. And progression only in the past 2 years. I have had injection site reactions like redness, swelling, and knots. Last year, I had a seizure immediately after injecting Copaxone, and I don't have a history of seizures. Never happened again. But, like Lee, it is not mentioned in any Teva literature. I reported this to my neurologist, Shared Solutions, and the drug manufacturer. Nobody had heard of this reaction."

• Boh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 24, 2014

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "Copaxone was working great for over 10 years, until the day came that my injection site reaction went anaphylactic. Not a pleasant experience, especially when health care providers (of which I am/was one) refuse to believe that the only potential exposure agent was Copaxone. I would be willing to give it another try (in a controlled hospital setting with emergency medicines on hand), but my neurologist and PCP won't let me. If you can take it, site reactions are the only problem I ever had, as they only occurred the last year I was on it. Side effects were virtually non-existent compared to the other ABC medicines and the new treatment modalities."

• cpk...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 28, 2015

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago by MRI after many falls due to foot drop, around 2005. I took Copaxone from 2009 - 2011, 20 mg per day. It didn't help, it didn't hurt. I stopped because my insurance wouldn't cover it anymore. I've had regular symptoms over the last 10 (or even 30) years, they have gotten progressively worse the last 2 years. I got back on Copaxone about 4 months ago, 40 mg 3 times a week. I don't think it is helping. My site reactions are worse than they were with 20 mg daily shots. I have gotten to the point where I can barely walk without pain, weakness, and shin splints from the muscle weakness in my legs and inability to walk and balance properly. I take Copaxone ONLY because I'm afraid not to. Good luck."

• TRU...
• May 8, 2009

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "My doctor let me choose which medicine I wanted to be on. After many hours of research, I chose Copaxone. I absolutely love it. I self-inject. I do not use the auto-inject. Less pain that way. I love it so much. Very easy to do - the only area I can't reach is behind the arms, and my kids do those ones. Only site reactions. I feel great and look forward to many flare-free years."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2015

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed March 2014, and have been on Copaxone (3x weekly) since May 2014. Two MRIs since (Oct '14 and June '15) have shown no change. Had one exacerbation in April. Overall, I am pleased. I do have site reactions, red itchy lumps, but worth it to have little to no progression. Early in treatment, I had hair loss for 3 months, but that did stop. Plan to continue this treatment."

• PJa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 5, 2017

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with RRMS in 1993. Tried Avonex, worst side effects: body pain, pounding headache instantly. Stopped drug after 6 weeks. In 1999, had relapse: double vision, numb on left side, slurred speech, dizziness, fatigue, unable to walk without falling, my mind felt odd. Doctor at Duke University suggested Copaxone 20 mg. Started in 1999. Now on 40 mg, 3 times a week. Had relapse May 2016. I have itching, welts, injection pain, lumps, and permanent indentations."

• Lak...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 20, 2018

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with relapsing MS in August 2017. I started on 40 mg Copaxone injectable 3/week. At first, it didn’t seem so bad. Then, after the repetitiveness, I began having terrible site reactions after 5 months. I tried sticking it out, but then I started getting bad headaches, weight gain, and joint pain. I decided to switch to a once-a-day pill."

• jac...
• January 4, 2010

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Copaxone for 5 months now after being diagnosed in June. The injections are easy, but the site reactions are awful. I get red, itchy, and swollen at the site despite using heat, ice, and the various adjustments of the needle depths as directed by the nurse. I also had a really bad reaction that included chest pains and what seemed like muscle spasms coupled with electric shocks in my joints, which lasted about 30 minutes. I am going to continue for a few more months, but if there is no change, I'm going to ask my neurologist about other options. I'm glad to hear that it works for others."

• Lin...
• January 24, 2017

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I started taking Copaxone in mid-August 2016. The first 3-4 months, I didn't notice any real difference. After the first few weeks, I didn't have any more site reactions. For the last two months, I'm experiencing terrible joint pain. Leg cramps in the middle of the night; my hips are stiff, and my shoulders hurt. Just a little while ago, my hand was shaking so bad. It's scared me. So here's the thing - I'm not experiencing any of the other MS symptoms that I had before taking Copaxone. Gone are those electrical shock sensations; I'm not really more numb, the weird feeling that runs down my spine. It seems like I've traded one set of symptoms for another. Before Copaxone, I enjoyed exercising. Now, not so much. :("

• Ste...
• December 12, 2011

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I started Copaxone 2 months after being diagnosed. I was on the medicine for one month and loved the fact I wasn't experiencing any body aches, headaches, and felt fine. HOWEVER, the site reactions over the course of the 2 weeks got worse. I had hot, fiery red-colored 5-6 inch welt reactions at sites that became itchier after the 2nd week of injections. I wanted to cry because I was itching nonstop 24 hours a day. I stopped taking hot/warm showers, which helped, but I still itched 24 hours a day. I developed rashes from my neck to my face. I stopped after 1 month. I would have liked to stay on Copaxone, but rashes not located at the sites was a concern for the doctor and shared solutions team (the shared solutions team is great, by the way!)."

• MS1...
• November 8, 2009

Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis "I have used Copaxone off and on for about 5 years. I don't like the injection site reactions, but they are small compared to some of the other treatments I have used. I was on Tysabri, and it was great. I felt normal as before MS for about 2 weeks every month and 2 weeks waiting for the next infusion. Due to liver problems, my doctor recommended I go back on Copaxone, but with injections every other day. I have done this for 2 years and no relapse."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on Copaxone for three years until Cigna switched me to Glatopa. I was fine with both, just some injection site redness and swelling. Two months ago, I was forced to switch to Glatiramer Acetate. Out of nowhere, I went into anaphylactic shock right after my injection. My doctor believes it was because it was a generic. I have a very mild case, and the remaining drug choices have so many bad side effects. Just make sure you consider all the side effects. They say they are rare, but it does happen. I almost died and am considering taking a break from these drugs."