Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using COPAXONE.
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Things you should not do
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Do not use more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep COPAXONE 40 mg/mL pre-filled syringes in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C.
Keep COPAXONE 40 mg/mL in the pack until it is time to use it. Protect from direct
light.
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Do not use COPAXONE if:
Check with your doctor if you:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Children
How much to use
When to use COPAXONE
How to use COPAXONE
1. Remove the syringe from its protective blister by peeling back the blister foil.
2. Pick up the syringe as you would a pencil, using the hand you write with. Remove the plastic cover from the needle.
3. Pinch about a 5 cm fold of skin between thumb and index finger.
![](/tbccop4010323_files/426508.png)
4. Insert the needle into the 5 cm fold of skin. It may help to steady your hand by resting the heel of your hand against your body.
5. When the needle is all the way in, release the fold of skin.
6. Inject the medication by holding the syringe steady while pushing down on the plunger until the syringe is empty. The injection should take just a few seconds.
7. Pull the needle straight out.
8. Press a dry cotton ball on the injection site for a few seconds, but do not massage it.
9. Dispose of the pre-filled syringe in a safe hard-walled container, according to your doctor’s instructions and the laws of your state (if any). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are in doubt.
If you forget to use COPAXONE
If you use too much COPAXONE
(by calling 13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), or
Things you should do
Things you should not do
Looking after your medicine
When to discard your medicine
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
Less serious side effects
Less serious side effects
|
What to do
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Skin related:
pain, redness, itching, hardening of the skin or an infection at the site where you
have injected yourself
Immediate Post Injection Reaction which includes the following symptoms:
reddening of the face and/or neck,
chest pain or tightness,
feeling your heart beat quickly (heart palpitations),
anxiety and difficulty in breathing.
Gut related:
nausea (feeling sick)
constipation
Symptoms related to liver injury:
yellowing of the skin or eyes
dark urine
abdominal pain
vomiting
loss of appetite
weight loss
unusual tiredness
Other:
pain in the joints
sore muscles
feeling of weakness
dizziness
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you.
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Serious side effects
Serious side effects
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What to do
|
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Symptoms of an allergic reaction:
swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat, which may cause difficultly in swallowing
or breathing
hives
chest pain
trouble breathing
severe pain, redness or swelling at the injection site that does not go away.
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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Reporting side effects
What COPAXONE contains
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Glatiramer acetate 40 mg/mL
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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Mannitol
Water for Injections
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