Glatiramer acetate: a description of the substance

Multiple sclerosis - a serious violation of the central nervous system, subject to mandatory treatment. The disease affects young and middle-aged people: men and women from 15 to 40 fall into the risk group. One of the drugs used to treat is glatiramer acetate. About him and will be discussed in this article.

Multiple sclerosis: mechanism, causes, manifestations

A distinctive feature of the disease from other ailments is that several parts of the nervous system are affected at once, against which the patient exhibits various neurological symptoms. Multiple sclerosis is inherent in the remitting course: the alternation of periods of exacerbation and remission.

The impetus to the development of the disease is the destruction of the nerve shell in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in the formation of plaques of multiple sclerosis (foci). Their dimensions range from a few millimeters to several centimeters. During an exacerbation the formation of especially large plaques is peculiar.

To date, the causes of the onset of the disease are not fully understood. However, it is believed that multiple sclerosis is provoked by a combination of external and internal factors. To such it is possible to carry:

• Exposure to infections (viral and bacterial).
• Effects of radiation and toxic substances.
• Defective food.
• Geoecological place of residence.
• Frequent injuries.
• Frequent stressful situations.
• Genetic predisposition.

Symptomatics

The diagnosis is made by a neurologist in the presence of symptoms:

• Tremor of arms, legs, body. It is difficult for a patient to hold objects in his hands, even a spoon or a ballpoint pen.
• Violation of coordination of movements.
• Nystagmus - rapid, uncontrolled eye movements.
• Weakening (or complete disappearance) of reflexes.
• Change in taste preferences, weight loss.
• Numbness, weakness in the extremities.
• Dizziness and other vegetovascular disorders.
• Paresis of facial and trigeminal nerves.
• Sexual weakness in men, menstrual cycle in women.
• Decreased visual acuity.
• Slow speech.
• Violation of motility.
• Mental disorders (states of depression, euphoria, etc.).
• Epileptic seizures.

Forms

There are three forms of multiple sclerosis:

• Cerebrospinal - the most common. Characterized by the defeat in the early stages of the disease of white matter simultaneously in the spinal cord and brain.

• Cerebral - the defeat of the white matter of the brain. Includes several varieties - cerebellum, stem, cortical and ocular.

• Spinal - spinal lesions.

Glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis

The drug under consideration belongs to the group of immunomodulators. It is a delicately acid salt formed by natural amino acids L-tyrosine, L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-lysine. The drug changes the course of the pathology, has a local immunomodulatory effect. The use of glatiramer acetate is also correct during remission, since in this case the agent reduces the incidence of exacerbations, and also inhibits the development of neurological disorders.

Indications for use

Indications for the use of the drug is not so much. These include:

• Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. In this case, glatiramer acetate is used to reduce the frequency of exacerbations, as well as to slow down all the complications characteristic of the ailment.
• Clinically isolated syndrome, occurring with simultaneous pronounced inflammation, required intravenous glucocorticosteroids. In this case, the prescribed drug is used to slow the transition of the disease to the clearly identified multiple sclerosis.

Contraindications

As with most drugs, the use of glatiramer is prohibited:

1. If the patient has a hypersensitivity to the components of the drug (including mannitol).
2. During pregnancy and lactation.
3. Up to 18 years of age (efficacy and safety of use not studied).

In addition to the above contraindications, there are limitations. So, if the patient has a predisposition to various kinds of allergies, as well as pathology of the circulatory system and functional disorders of the kidneys, the use of the drug is possible, but only in extreme cases and under the supervision of a doctor.

Side effects

Adverse reactions to the use of a drug based on a substance such as glatiramer acetate, a great variety. Therefore, they are divided into groups:

1. Immune system: hypersensitivity, anaphylactic shock, angioedema.
2. Hematopoietic system: the occurrence of diseases such as leukopenia, leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, changes in lymphocyte structure, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly.
3. Endocrine system: hyperthyroidism.
4. Nervous system: headache, depression, anxiety, nervousness, euphoria, convulsions, impairment of motor functions, stupor, etc. are possible.
5. From the side of metabolism: can be observed as an increase in body weight, and anorexia. In addition, hyperlipidemia, hypernatremia, gout are possible.
6. Hearing impairment, headaches.
7. Organs of vision: diplopia, corneal damage, cataracts, optic nerve atrophy, visual field defect, visual impairment.
8. Cardiovascular system: tachycardia, paroxysmal tachycardia, varicose veins, high blood pressure.
9. Digestive system: nausea, vomiting, colitis, belching, rectal bleeding, etc.
10. Respiratory system: cough, seasonal rhinitis, shortness of breath, hyperventilation of the lungs. Laryngospasm.
11. Liver and biliary tract: cholelithiasis.
12. Urinary system: pollakiuria, hematuria, urinary retention.
13. Subcutaneous tissues and skin: pruritus, contact dermatitis, hives, erythematous erythrema, etc.
14. Musculoskeletal: arthralgia, pain in the back and neck, arthritis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, etc.
15. Genital organs and mammary glands: menstrual cycle disorders, breast enlargement, erectile dysfunction.
16. Chills, fatigue, nosebleeds, fever, swelling, bruises, etc. symptoms.

Interaction with medicinal products

The question of the interaction of the agent based on glatiramer acetate with other drugs has not been studied to the end. Interactions with simultaneous use with drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis, it was not revealed (based on data on the combined use of the above funds for 28 days). There is a high probability of local allergic reactions.

Overdose

To date, there is no evidence of adverse events with an overdose of the drug. If all the same the trouble happened, the patient should be under the careful control of doctors. The general condition of the patient should be assessed, and symptomatic and supportive treatment should be provided.

Glatiramer acetate: instructions for use

20 mg of the drug is administered subcutaneously once a day. It is advisable to adhere to the schedule: it is recommended to put injections at the same time. If, for any reason, the admission was missed, then the medicine should be administered immediately, as soon as it was recalled. A double dose can not be stabbed.

Enter the drug is allowed in the buttocks, hips, as well as in the hands and stomach (okolopupochnoe space at a distance of 5 cm). In the reddened, as well as colorless areas of the skin and areas with seals, no injections are made. The doctor must decide whether to stop treatment.

Efficiency

So is glatiramer acetate good? The reviews contain information on the most effective results at the initial stages of the fight against multiple sclerosis. Most people experience side effects immediately after the administration of the drug. However, they are short and pass by themselves. If serious symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately, and in some cases, call for an emergency medical care.

In rare cases with prolonged use of the drug may develop skin necrosis and lipoatrophy at the site of the injection. To prevent such consequences, it is only necessary to follow the sequence of parts of the body for injections.

Trade name, manufacturer

Glatiramer acetate trade name has another. But more on that later. For a long time, until the termination of the contract with the Israeli company-supplier Teva, the product was supplied by Biotech LLC. Glatiramer acetate is currently supplied by Teva itself through the Russian OOO Teva.

Assigning the drug for multiple sclerosis, the doctor will most often indicate in the recipe the name: "Copaxon Teva." However, this is not the only agent whose main active ingredient is glatiramer acetate. Analogues are widespread, they include:

• "Copaxon 40".
• "Glatirat".
• "Aksoglatiran FS".
• "Timekson."

What is the difference between "Copakson Teva" and "Copakson 40", which are, in fact, the same tool? The active substance in them is the same - glatiramer acetate. Synonyms differ in dosage and, therefore, in retail price.

Be attentive to your health, contact a doctor in time and take care of loved ones!