Multiple sclerosis is a serious violation of the central nervous system, subject to mandatory treatment. Persons of young and middle age are affected by the disease: men and women from 15 to 40 years old are at risk. One of the drugs used for treatment is glatiramer acetate. He 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 manifests various neurological symptoms. Multiple sclerosis has a remitting course: alternating periods of exacerbation and remission.
The impetus for the development of the disease is the destruction of the nerve membrane in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in the formation of plaques of multiple sclerosis (foci). Their sizes range from a few millimeters to several centimeters. During exacerbation, the formation of especially large plaques is characteristic.
To date, the causes of the disease are not fully understood. However, it is believed that multiple sclerosis is provoked by a combination of external and internal factors. These include:
- Exposure to infections (viral and bacterial).
- Exposure to radiation and toxic substances.
- Inadequate nutrition.
- Geoecological place of residence.
- Frequent injuries.
- Frequent stressful situations.
- Genetic predisposition.
Symptomatology
The diagnosis is made by a neurologist in the presence of symptoms:
- Tremor of arms, legs, body. It is difficult for the patient to hold objects in his hands, whether it be even a spoon or a ballpoint pen.
- Lack of coordination of movements.
- Nystagmus - fast, uncontrolled eye movements.
- Weakening (or complete disappearance) of reflexes.
- Change in taste preferences, weight loss.
- Numbness, weakness in the limbs.
- Dizziness and other vegetovascular disorders.
- Paresis of the facial and trigeminal nerves.
- Sexual weakness in men, menstrual irregularities in women.
- Decreased visual acuity.
- Slow speech.
- Motor impairment.
- Mental disorders (states of depression, euphoria, etc.).
- Epileptic seizures.
Forms
There are three forms of multiple sclerosis:
- Cerebrospinal is the most common. It is characterized by a lesion in the early stages of the disease of white matter simultaneously in the spinal cord and brain.
- Cerebral - a lesion of the white matter of the brain. Includes several varieties - cerebellar, stem, cortical and ocular.
Glatiramer acetate for multiple sclerosis
The drug in question belongs to the group of immunomodulators. It is an accelerated 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 immunomodulating effect. The use of glatiramer acetate is also correct during remission, since in this case the agent reduces the frequency of exacerbations, and also inhibits the development of neurological disorders.
Indications for use
Indications for the use of the drug are not so many. These include:
- Remitting multiple sclerosis. In this case, glatiramer acetate is used to reduce the frequency of exacerbations, as well as slow down all the complications characteristic of the disease.
- Clinically isolated syndrome, proceeding with simultaneous severe inflammation required by intravenous administration of glucocorticosteroids. In this case, the prescribed drug is used to slow the transition of the disease to clearly identified multiple sclerosis.
Contraindications
As with most medicines, the use of glatiramer is prohibited:
- If the patient has hypersensitivity to the components of the drug (including mannitol).
- During pregnancy and lactation.
- Under 18 years of age (efficacy and safety of use have not been studied).
In addition to the listed contraindications, there are limitations. So, if the patient has a predisposition to various allergies, as well as pathologies 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
There are a great many adverse reactions to the use of a drug based on a substance such as glatiramer acetate. Therefore, they are divided into groups:
- Immune system: hypersensitivity, anaphylactic shock, angioedema.
- Hematopoietic system: the occurrence of diseases such as leukopenia, leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, changes in the structure of lymphocytes, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly.
- Endocrine system: hyperthyroidism.
- Nervous system: possible headache, depression, anxiety, nervousness, euphoria, cramps, impaired motor function, stupor, etc.
- From the side of metabolism: both an increase in body weight and anorexia can be observed. In addition, hyperlipidemia, hypernatremia, gout are possible.
- Hearing impairment, headaches.
- Organs of vision: diplopia, corneal lesions, cataracts, optic atrophy, visual field defect, visual impairment.
- Cardiovascular system: tachycardia, paroxysmal tachycardia, varicose veins, high blood pressure.
- Digestive system: nausea, vomiting, colitis, belching, rectal bleeding, etc.
- Respiratory system: cough, seasonal rhinitis, shortness of breath, hyperventilation of the lungs. Laryngospasm.
- Liver and biliary tract: gallstone disease.
- Urinary system: pollakiuria, hematuria, urinary retention.
- Subcutaneous tissues and skin: itching, contact dermatitis, urticaria, erythema nodosum, etc.
- Musculoskeletal system: arthralgia, back and neck pain, arthritis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, etc.
- Genitals and mammary glands: menstrual irregularities, breast enlargement, erectile dysfunction.
- Chills, fatigue, nosebleeds, fever, swelling, bruising, etc. symptoms.
Drug Interactions
The question of the interaction of a drug based on glatiramer acetate with other drugs has not been fully studied. Interactions with simultaneous use with the drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis were not detected (based on data on the combined use of the above funds for 28 days). The likelihood of local allergic reactions.
Overdose
To date, there are no data on side effects with an overdose of the drug. If nevertheless the trouble happened, the patient should be under the close supervision of doctors. The general condition of the patient should be evaluated, and symptomatic and supportive treatment 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: injections are recommended to be given at the same time. If for some reason the reception was missed, then the medicine should be administered immediately, as soon as remembered. It is impossible to prick a double dose.
It is allowed to enter the drug into the buttocks, thighs, as well as into the hands and stomach (umbilical space at a distance of 5 cm). In reddened, as well as colorless areas of the skin and areas with seals, injections are not given. The doctor must decide whether to discontinue treatment.
Efficiency
Is Glatiramer Acetate Good? The reviews contain information on the most effective results in the initial stages of the fight against multiple sclerosis. Most people experience side effects immediately after drug administration. However, they are short-lived and pass by themselves. If serious symptoms occur, you should immediately consult a doctor, and in some cases, call an ambulance.
In rare cases, with prolonged use of the drug, skin necrosis and lipoatrophy may occur at the injection site. To prevent such consequences, it is only necessary to observe the sequence of parts of the body for injection.
Trade Name, Manufacturer
Glatiramer acetate trade name has a different name. But more on that later. For a long time, before the termination of the contract with the Israeli supplier company Teva, the product was supplied by Biotek LLC. Glatiramer acetate is currently supplied by Teva itself through the Russian Teva LLC.
When prescribing a drug for multiple sclerosis, the doctor will most often indicate the name in the prescription: “Copaxone Teva”. However, this is not the only tool whose main active ingredient is glatiramer acetate. Analogs are widespread, these include:
- "Copaxon 40."
- "Glatirat."
- "Aksoglatiran FS".
- Timexon.
What is the difference between Copaxone Teva and Copaxone 40, which are essentially the same tool? The active substance is the same for them - glatiramer acetate. Synonyms differ in dosage and, therefore, retail price.
Be attentive to your health, consult a doctor on time and take care of your loved ones!