Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain types of multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome. Copaxone comes as a solution that’s given by subcutaneous injection. The dosage frequency depends on the strength of Copaxone used.

Copaxone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following conditions in adults:

Copaxone is also available as a generic drug called Glatopa. Like Copaxone, Glatopa contains the active ingredient glatiramer acetate.

Keep reading for information about the dosage of Copaxone, including its strengths and how to use it. For a comprehensive look at Copaxone, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Copaxone provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Copaxone, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about Copaxone dosages for its approved uses.

Copaxone dosage form

Copaxone is a solution that comes in a single-dose, prefilled syringe. You receive it by subcutaneous injection.

If you aren’t comfortable using this form of Copaxone, talk with your doctor to see if the autoject 2 for glass syringe is an option for you. See the “How to take Copaxone” section below for more information.

Copaxone dosage strength

Copaxone comes in two strengths: 20 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) of solution and 40 mg/mL of solution.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The injection frequency of Copaxone will depend on the dosage your doctor prescribes. Below is a table of the recommended dosing schedule for Copaxone.

Dose of CopaxoneDosing schedule
20 mg/mLonce per day
40 mg/mLonce per day, 3 days a week, with at least 48 hours between each dose

If you are taking 40 mg/mL of Copaxone, you can choose which 3 days of the week you want to take your doses. Be sure to wait at least 48 hours before you take your next dose. If you don’t want to take Copaxone on the weekend, you can choose a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday dosing schedule.

Try to take your Copaxone dose at the same time each day.

Long-term treatment

Copaxone is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Copaxone is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

See below for what to do if you miss a recommended dose of Copaxone.

Missed 20 mg/mL dose

If you take 20 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) of Copaxone every day, you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next scheduled dose as usual. You should not take more than one dose at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Missed 40 mg/mL dose

If you take 40 mg/mL of Copaxone, you can take the missed dose as usual the next day. You will need to take your next dose at least 48 hours later. This means you may not be able to continue your usual dosing schedule until the following week.

For example, if you take Copaxone on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but miss your dose on Monday, take your missed dose on Tuesday. You can take your next dose 48 hours later, on Thursday. You can take your third dose for the week on Saturday. You can return to your usual Monday, Wednesday, and Friday dosing schedule the following week.

What you can do

If you miss a dose of Copaxone and you’re not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. They will need to know which dosage of the drug you’re taking.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Your Copaxone dosage will depend on various factors, such as the strength of the medication your doctor prescribes.

Before starting treatment with a drug, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

You will receive Copaxone by subcutaneous injection. Before you start treatment, your doctor or another healthcare professional will teach you how to inject Copaxone.

Copaxone comes as a solution in a single-dose, prefilled syringe with a needle attached. If you aren’t comfortable using this form, talk with your doctor to see if the autoject 2 for glass syringe is an option for you.

Note: Do not use other auto-inject devices to administer your Copaxone dose. Only use the autoject 2 for glass syringe. Using other auto-injection devices with Copaxone may increase the risk of missed or partial doses. Talk with your doctor to learn more or see the drug’s prescribing information.

You’ll inject Copaxone into one of the following areas:

  • your abdomen (avoid injecting into the area 2 inches (in) around your belly button)
  • the front of your thighs (inject into the area about 2 in below your groin and 2 in above your knee)
  • the back of your hips below your waist
  • the back of your upper arms

Talk with your doctor or healthcare professional about the best injection site for you. Be sure to vary which site you use with each dose.

It may be helpful to keep a record of when you take a dose of Copaxone and what injection site you use.

If you have questions about how to use Copaxone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful video with step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.

Tips for taking Copaxone

When taking Copaxone, consider the following tips:

  • Take Copaxone out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you inject your dose. The drug may be more comfortable to inject when it’s at room temperature.
  • Be sure that the solution in the syringe is clear and colorless to slightly yellow. If you see any discoloration or particles, do not use the syringe.
  • Try not to rub or massage your injection site for at least 24 hours after you’ve injected Copaxone.
  • Be sure not to inject Copaxone into a vein or muscle. Injections are meant to be given only under your skin.
  • Vary your injection site with each dose. And avoid areas of skin that are red, scarred, lumpy, or swollen.
  • Avoid injecting Copaxone in areas of skin that have stretch marks, birthmarks, or tattoos.
  • Use each syringe only once.

It’s important that you don’t inject more Copaxone than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Copaxone

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Copaxone. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Copaxone for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Copaxone without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Copaxone that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Copaxone. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

  • More about Copaxone: For information about other aspects of Copaxone, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Copaxone, see this article. You can also look at Copaxone’s prescribing information.
  • Drug comparison: To learn how Copaxone compares with other drugs, read the “Copaxone vs. Glatopa” and “Copaxone vs. Tecfidera” sections in this article.
  • Details about multiple sclerosis: For details about multiple sclerosis (MS), see our MS hub and list of MS articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.