Copaxone is the brand name for glatiramer acetate. Glatiramer Acetate consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides containing four naturally occurring amino acids.
This is a synthetic protein that stimulates myelin based protein. This appears to block myelin damaging T-cells by acting as a myelin decoy. In trials this has been shown to give a significant reduction in multiple sclerosis relapse rate when compared to placebo control subjects.
Copaxone is injected subcutaneously on a daily basis. The patient is provided with specific training information to allow the self-administration of this treatment. The drug requires to be stored under refrigeration although it can be kept at room temperature for a few days if needed. It should however be kept away from light as this compound is light-sensitive.
Possible Side-Effects
- Injection site swelling, redness or pain.
- Itching
- Flushes or chest tightness, although this is likely to be of very short duration.
A pilot study has started looking at the combination of Copaxone with the antioxidant NAC (N-Acetylcysteine, which can be bought over the counter.)
The hypothesis is that the anti-oxidant properties will enhance the neuroprotective properties of Copaxone and may further slow disease progression. NAC prevents the deposition of iron in the brain and counters oxidative stress. The study, which is taking place in Canada, involves 18 patients with relapsing/remitting MS and will last for 46 weeks.
Dr. Hyman Schipper, the lead investigating neurologist, says: "To date, most pre-clinical and clinical studies investigating therapies for MS have focused on the i,,une-mediated inflammatory stage of the disease. Far less attention has been paid to the management of the simultaneous, neurodegenerative phase of the illness, which is now believed to contribute significantly to irreversible brain tissue damage, clinical disability and brain atrophy in MS patients."
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