Plegridy vs. Copaxone, Glatopa

Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) Autoinjector and Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) are used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Plegridy and Copaxone belong to different drug classes. Plegridy is an interferon beta-1a and Copaxone is a combination of four amino acids (proteins).

Side effects of Plegridy and Copaxone that are similar include injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling, warmth, rash, bruising, soreness, or a hard lump), flu-like illness, fever, headache, joint aches or pain, chills, weakness, nausea, and vomiting.

Side effects of Plegridy that are different from Copaxone include muscle pain.

Side effects of Copaxone that are different from Plegridy include body aches, neck pain, back pain, double vision, increased urge to urinate, runny nose, swelling in your hands or feet, vaginal itching or discharge, sore throat, and white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

Both Plegridy and Copaxone may interact with other drugs.

Common side effects of Plegridy include:

• injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling, warmth, rash, bruising),
• flu-like illness,
• fever,
• headache,
• muscle or joint pain,
• chills,
• weakness,
• nausea, and
• vomiting

Common side effects of Copaxone, Glatopa include:

• injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, soreness, itching, swelling, or a hard lump),
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• chills,
• joint aches,
• body aches,
• neck pain,
• back pain,
• double vision,
• headache,
• increased urge to urinate,
• weakness,
• runny nose,
• swelling in your hands or feet,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• fever,
• chills,
• flu symptoms,
• sore throat, or
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

Immediately after injection with Copaxone, you may experience:

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• chest pain,
• fast heartbeat,
• anxiety,
• shortness of breath, or
• itching.

These symptoms usually disappear quickly and usually do not require treatment. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Copaxone including:

• dizziness,
• fainting,
• infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat),
• mental/mood changes (such as depression),
• severe pain at the injection site,
• shakiness (tremor), or
• vision problems.

Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) Autoinjector is an interferon beta-1a used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Copaxone, Glatopa (glatiramer acetate) are a combination of four amino acids (proteins) used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and to prevent relapse of MS. Copaxone will not cure MS, but it can make relapses occur less often.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Plegridy should be used only if prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Copaxone, Glatopa. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. During pregnancy, Copaxone should be used only when prescribed. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dosage of Plegridy is 125 micrograms injected subcutaneously every 14 days.

Copaxone is injected subcutaneously (just beneath the skin) in a dose of 20 mg/day.