Copaxone switch to generic Glatiramer Acetate

[SGL33]

Had to switch from Copaxone 40 MG (8 years) to the generic version from Mylan. My neurologist has always helped me stay on Copaxone but recently my insurance said I had to try the generic. I’m not a fan of the new whisperjet autoinjector, so I’m just going to do manual injections from now on. I hope the generic doesn’t cause me any problems because let’s face it, it isn’t quite the same as the brand name. No new leisons in 7 years and feeling good so GA in general seems to work for me. Fingers crossed that the transition continues to be seamless. Sharing for others who might be in a similar situation.

[AquaZumbaFan]

Wishing you the best of luck… I switched from the brand-name Aubagio to the generic two summers ago… I didn’t have any problem with the generic. I was on Avonex For close to 19 years prior to that

[marktwinter]

I switched to generic Copaxone when it was first available due to insurance cost. I do manual injection vs the auto injector . Good luck but I do not think you will have any problems!

[bxrmom]

Good luck SGL33 with the generic of Copaxone. I was on Tecfidera and I was switched to the genreric a few years ago and all seems to be good. I hope the generic of Copaxone does the same for you. Keep us updated.

[sashaming1]

I think they’d be the same. But, if not, be sure to talk with your Neurologist about it. Your MRIs will tell for sure.

[Christopher04]

Same happened here. Had to have my Dr, send in a letter saying the generic would not be good for me. Continued on Copaxone.

[felafelbowl]

i switched years ago and had no problems. i am now off all DMES as i have aged out.

[agate]

I was on daily Copaxone for 3 years, and years later went on the 40mg/3 times a week version but it was always the generic, I think because of the insurance coverage. Sometimes it was glatiramer from Mylan, sometimes it was Glatopa from Sanofi. Apparently they're pretty much the same drug. I recall that the autoject devices supplied by the two were different, and they're not supposed to be used interchangeably.

I switched to strictly manual injections but was then unable to do the arms. In fact I ended up limiting myself to just the thighs but had to be careful not to hit any one spot too often.

I gave up on this medicine but mainly because I'm so old and have had MS for so long--and the drug hasn't been studied in people like me. Nobody knows just what it might do to us, and some of the side effects I was having became too hard to put up with.

Copaxone is probably the safest of the MS drugs. I wish you luck.

[Tazmanian]

Talk to your neurologist about the problem with the autoinjector maybe he can talk to your insurance company

[cljones]

I was on Copaxone for a couple of years and then was switched to a different DM and now I'm on mayzent. The generic is usually about the same. If you have problems just tell your doctor and I am sure he can write a letter to the insurance company.

[hairbrain4]

Your Dr should be able to write a letter to the insurance company after you have used the generic for one month., stating that the drug isn't suitable for you. Most of the time the insurance company will then pay for Copaxone

[Hatethis18]

sign in - too complicated. All I can say is when generic first came out I refused to change. I stayed on brand name copaxone for 12 yrs. using the injector. Then stopped. Have taken no DMT since about 5yrs now. My MS is non progressive far as I can see. Brain MRIs have shown no active lesions. Did not have MRI last year or this year. My neurologist says she would do one again next year.

[itasara]

I was fortunate. I was on Copaxone and there was no generic at first. Then the generic came out and I preferred to stick with the brand name. It was a little more expensive but my ins. company, BCBS, did not say I had to use the generic. I was on Copaxone 12 years. I never had an active lesion since diagnosis. When my lesions were active probably years before, I had no clue. Then I had when I was 57 a bout of transverse myelitis which is when my doc said get an mri of spine which showed two lesions and a mri afterward of my brain which showed typical MS lesions but none active. That is when I got my diagnosis. Anyway, I came off brand Copaxone after 12 years and have not taken any other MS meds. I have mild disease at best still. I have a daughter with same situations. I came off my meds three years after she did when her doc said she was doing so well she could come off her ms med. I was skeptical so I waited another 3 yrs before I came off ane my newer neurologist agreed it was okay. Each case and each patient is different. I am always leery should things change but so far so good. I see a neurologist annually.