As with other drugs, Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) can cause side effects, such as weight gain, skin rash, and injection site reactions. If side effects of Copaxone become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is a brand-name prescription medication the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat certain forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. Copaxone comes as a solution in a pen used to give the drug by subcutaneous injection.

If you have problems with side effects from Copaxone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop using Copaxone without consulting your doctor first.

Copaxone has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Boxed warnings for Copaxone” section.

Copaxone can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Copaxone in clinical trials:

Some of these side effects may be part of a postinjection reaction. To learn more, see “Managing side effects.”

Mild side effects can occur with Copaxone use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Copaxone include:

Many of these side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to a couple of weeks. But if the side effects continue, worsen, or become difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Copaxone and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Copaxone may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Copaxone’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects with Copaxone, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Copaxone and their symptoms include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Managing side effects.”

* Copaxone has a boxed warning for this side effect. To learn more, see the “Boxed warnings for Copaxone” section.

Copaxone has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. These warnings alert doctors and patients about a drug’s effects that may be dangerous.

Anaphylactic reactions

For some people, Copaxone can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This side effect can occur at any time during Copaxone treatment, from after the first dose to years after beginning treatment. Most reported cases occurred within an hour of receiving a Copaxone injection.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis vary in people but often include:

What you can do

Anaphylaxis can quickly become life threatening and requires immediate medical attention. If you have symptoms of this side effect, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Before starting Copaxone, your doctor will discuss the risk of anaphylaxis, possible signs and symptoms, and what to do in case it happens. If someone else gives you injections, they should also receive this information.

It’s also important to know that some symptoms of anaphylaxis overlap with those of an immediate postinjection reaction (for details about this side effect, see “Managing side effects”). It’s difficult to determine whether these symptoms are due to this side effect or anaphylaxis. For this reason, always seek emergency medical care for symptoms of either side effect.

During treatment with Copaxone, you can take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Injection site reaction

Injection site reactions may occur during Copaxone treatment. These were the most common side effects seen in clinical trials of the drug.

Copaxone is given by subcutaneous injection in your abdominal area, upper hips, thighs, or upper arms. Symptoms can affect these areas where you inject the drug and may include:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • itching
  • reddening or other color changes, deepening of skin color, or bruising
  • lump at the injection site

Symptoms of injection site reactions are usually mild and temporary. However, in certain cases, symptoms can be severe. In clinical trials, some people had to stop Copaxone treatment due to severe injection site reactions.

What you can do

To help prevent or minimize injection site reactions from Copaxone, it’s important to inject the drug properly. Your doctor or pharmacist can show you the correct technique. You also can watch a video on how to inject Copaxone.

The following tips may help lessen injection site reactions:

  • Be sure to take the drug out of the refrigerator at least 20 minutes before you inject it. This allows the solution to reach room temperature, which may reduce discomfort.
  • Apply a warm compress for 5 minutes to relax the injection site before you clean it. You should place a towel or a layer of clothing between the warm compress and your skin.
  • Rotate (change) injection sites to help reduce the risk of injection site reactions.
  • After each injection, you can use a cold pack on the injection site for up to 1 minute. Just be sure to have a towel or layer of clothing between the cold pack and your skin.

If your symptoms don’t go away or become severe, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Weight gain

Weight gain may occur with Copaxone. But this side effect wasn’t common in clinical trials of the drug. In fact, some people lost weight during these trials, but this was rare.

Keep in mind that Copaxone is used to treat MS, and weight gain is common with this condition. This is because MS symptoms, such as muscle weakness and fatigue, can cause you to limit physical activity.

What you can do

If you’re concerned about weight gain during Copaxone treatment, talk with your doctor. They can work with you to find an MS meal and exercise plan that’s right for you.

Dental cavities

Dental cavities may occur during treatment with Copaxone. These problems were reported in clinical trials, but they weren’t common. Also, it isn’t known for sure if Copaxone caused the dental cavities.

Dental cavities are areas of tooth decay. Cavities don’t always cause symptoms, especially when they’re small. Symptoms may include:

  • occasional toothaches
  • mild sensitivity while drinking hot or cold beverages or brushing your teeth
  • discolored teeth

If a cavity isn’t treated by a dentist, it can become large or cause an abscessed tooth (pus buildup in the gums or teeth). Symptoms of a tooth abscess can be severe and include:

  • intense tooth pain that can radiate to your jaw or ears
  • pain or swelling in your gums
  • nausea
  • fever

What you can do

It’s important to maintain good dental hygiene during your Copaxone treatment (and in general). This includes regular brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist for cleanings and checkups. They’ll take X-rays of your teeth to monitor for cavities.

If you have a toothache or tooth sensitivity while using Copaxone, talk with your dentist. An over-the-counter numbing gel, such as Anbesol, may help ease discomfort until they can see you.

Postinjection reactions

Right after injecting a dose of Copaxone, some people may experience brief episodes of various symptoms. These side effects are referred to as “immediate postinjection reactions.” The episodes usually start seconds to minutes after an injection. In Copaxone’s clinical trials, postinjection reactions were common.

Symptoms can vary but usually include at least two of the following:

Typically, these episodes last a few minutes. Most symptoms are mild, temporary, and go away on their own. Rarely, symptoms may be severe and require medical care.

Postinjection reactions tend to occur within the first several months after starting Copaxone treatment. For some people, a postinjection reaction is a one-time occurrence. Other people may have several episodes.

What you can do

If you have the above symptoms within an hour after a dose of Copaxone, talk with your doctor right away. Most likely, your symptoms will go away quickly and without treatment.

But if your symptoms feel severe or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Your doctor will determine whether you should keep using Copaxone.

Note: The symptoms of postinjection reactions overlap with those of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Copaxone has a boxed warning for anaphylaxis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Boxed warnings for Copaxone” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Copaxone can cause an allergic reaction.*

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Copaxone. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* Copaxone has a boxed warning for a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. To learn more, see the “Boxed warnings for Copaxone” section.

Copaxone may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Copaxone cause hair loss?

No. Hair loss wasn’t seen in people who used Copaxone during the drug’s clinical trials.

Hair loss or thinning can be a side effect of stress as well as other medications used to treat MS. Some examples of these drugs include azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate.

Hair loss can also be a side effect of various medications used to manage certain symptoms of MS. Examples of these types of drugs include blood pressure medications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

If you have hair loss that concerns you, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the possible causes and recommend ways to manage them.

Does stopping Copaxone treatment cause side effects?

Stopping Copaxone treatment isn’t known to cause any side effects. It’s important that you do not stop using the medication unless you first talk with your doctor. Stopping treatment could cause your MS symptoms to come back or get worse.

Your doctor can help answer other questions you have about ending your Copaxone treatment.

Is depression a common side effect of Copaxone?

Depression is a possible but rare side effect of Copaxone. In clinical trials, depression and mood changes occurred in some people who took the drug. However, it isn’t known for sure if Copaxone caused these changes.

Keep in mind that depression is also a common symptom of MS. (Copaxone is used to treat MS.) If you have had symptoms of depression or mood changes since you began to use Copaxone, talk with your doctor. They may recommend possible treatments.

Take note of the following important information to consider before using Copaxone.

Copaxone has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Boxed warnings for Copaxone” section.

Other precautions

Before you use Copaxone, discuss your health history with your doctor. Copaxone may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Copaxone due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: Having had an allergic reaction to glatiramer acetate (Copaxone’s active ingredient) or mannitol is a Copaxone contraindication. A contraindication is a condition that could prevent your doctor from prescribing Copaxone due to the risk of harm.

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.