Injectable Therapies

 

Glatiramer Acetate ((Copaxone®)(Glatopa®) 

Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone or Glatopa) is an injectable medication (subcutaneous) commonly ordered either as 20mg daily or 40mg three times weekly. This medication is used in relapsing/remitting MS.

Prior to this medication you will be required to obtain “prestaging labs” to better estimate your potential risks of this or other medications.

                Glatiramer is considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Common side effects: please report any side effects to your provider

  1. Injection site reactions
  2. Lipoatrophy (breakdown of the fatty later under the skin)
  3. Vasodilation (flushing)
  4. Rash
  5. Shortness of breath
  6. Chest pain, palpitations
  7. Anxiety

To limit injection site reactions and lipoatrophy we recommend that you rotate injection sites: outer arms, outer thighs and abdomen.

Warnings: Immediate post-injection reactions (flushing, chest pain, palpitations, anxiety, shortness of breath, throat constriction) is usually transient but it can be scary. Lipoatrophy (skin denting), fibrosis (skin hardening), and rarely necrosis (ulceration) can occur.  

This medication requires bloodwork at least once a year (CMP and CBC).

MRI will be required prior to initiation of Glatiramer Acetate and 6 months after start, then once yearly.

More information is available at: https://www.copaxonehcp.com/

Back to Top

Interferon Injectables: 

Prior to this medication you will be required to obtain “prestaging labs” to better estimate your potential risks of this or other medications.

Interferon Beta (Avonex®) is an injectable IM (intramuscular) 30mcg injection once weekly. This mediation is used in relapsing/remitting MS.

Peginterferon Beta-1a44-46 (Plegridy®) is an injectable medication (subcutaneous) 125mcg every 2 weeks. This medication is used for relapsing/remitting MS.

Interferon Beta (Extavia®) is an injectable SC (subcutaneous) medication 0.25mg every other day

Interferon Beta (Rebif ®) is an injectable SC (subcutaneous) medication 22mcg-44mcg three times weekly

These medications do not require regular blood testing. MRI will be required prior to initiation of interferon injections and 6 months after start, then once yearly.

More information is available at: www.avonex.com

More information is available at: www.plegridy.com

Common side effects: please report any side effects to your provider:  Flu-like symptoms, Injection-site reactions, Increased liver enzymes, Decreased white blood cells.

Warnings: Depression, suicide, Liver injury, Allergic reactions. Some reactions may be serious: Congestive heart failure, Decreased blood counts, Seizure,                Other autoimmune disorders.

Kesimpta (ofatumumab)

Prior to this medication you will be required to obtain “prestaging labs” to better estimate your potential risks of this or other medications.

Kesimpta is an injectable monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of relapsing remitting MS and active secondary progressive disease.  It is available in a prefilled single-dose Sensoready® Pen (20mg/0.4mL solution).

The initial dosing of Kesimpta includes one 20mg subcutaneous (SC) injection at weeks 0, 1 and 2. SKIP week 3 then start monthly dosing with one injection at week 4 (20mg SC) then once monthly. Injection site recommendations include abdomen, thigh and upper outer arm. DO NOT give injection into moles, scars, stretch marks or areas of hard, bruised or tender skin.

-if an injection is missed, it should be administered as soon as possible without waiting until the next scheduled dose. Subsequent dosing should be administered at the recommended interval.

Kesimpta packing will provide you with information on storage and instructions for use.

Adverse reactions: Upper respiratory tract and other infection,  Headache, Injection site reactions, Myalgia (muscle aches).

Warnings: Active infections require a delay in administration of Kesimpta, Reduction of immunoglobulins (infection fighting antibodies), May cause fetal harm

This medication requires blood work every month for the first 3 months then every 3 months thereafter (CBC, CMP, Lymphocyte subset panel or B cell count) and IGG (immunoglobulin) every 6 months.

MRI will be required prior to initiation of Kesimpta and 6 months after start, then usually once yearly.

More information is available at:  www.kesimpta.com