Glatiramer Acetate Multiple Sclerosis treatment has shown promise in treating patients who have the relapsing-remitting form of the disease. Glatiramer Acetate MS also seems to be well tolerated and is shown to maintain its positive clinical effects on relapse rates over the longer term. So far the really good results have been with the relapsing-remitting form of MS. Those with other forms have not shown similar results to date.
Glatiramer, going under the brand name Copaxone, is an artificial protein that bears close resemblance to the natural myelin protein. This is another case of not knowing exactly how the medicine works, but Glatiramer Acetate Multiple Sclerosis treatment has shown signs of slowing the disease’s progression or even extending the time before you actually get the disease when treatment begins after a single episode of a neurological symptom like optic neuritis for example. It needs to be repeated that the best results are shown with immediate and early Glatiramer Acetate MS therapy. It is given in a once-daily dose as an injection just under the skin.
Glatiramer Acetate Multiple Sclerosis therapy not helpful in other circumstances.
Copaxone does markedly reduce the number of relapses for patients suffering from relapsing-remitting MS. It is also effective in slowing down the new lesion formation that can be emotionally as well as physically draining. It doesn’t cause flu-like symptoms that have been a side effect of the interferon medicines.
But since there is really no effectiveness shown in treating Secondary Progressive MS patients, the use of Glatiramer Acetate Multiple Sclerosis treatment should be carefully evaluated and weighed with the side effects to see if it would be suitable for you. These evaluations are always best done in conjunction with your physician so that you can make the best decision for your situation.
The most compelling study showing the lack of effectiveness for the Secondary Progressive MS patients was a placebo controlled study involving 251 patients. In this study, which lasted two years, there was only a 3% improvement in patients taking the Glatiramer Acetate MS treatments versus those on placebo. With a trial group that small, the difference could have been accounted for simply by the margin of error. Most of the more severe side effects are temporary and they include pain, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, flushing, and shortness of breath. For the relapsing-remitting MS patient, Glatiramer Acetate Multiple Sclerosis treatment injections may be a very viable option to keep the disease in check.
