Copaxone is a commonly prescribed medication for people struggling with multiple sclerosis (MS) . Proper storage is absolutely crucial to maintaining effectiveness, potency, and safety in handling.
Copaxone is very temperature sensitive and therefore needs to be stored in the refrigerator ; it can only be kept at room temperature for a limited period of time . Whether you are a patient, doctor, pharmacist or nurse, it is very important to know the correct storage conditions for Copaxone. In this article we will delve a little deeper into the topic and give you an overview.
What is Copaxone?
Copaxone contains the active ingredient glatiramer acetate and is a medication used to treat multiple sclerosis. It is specifically designed for the relapsing forms of MS, including relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), clinically isolated syndrome and active secondary progressive MS (SPMS). In contrast, there is primary progressive MS.
Similar to other medications used for MS, such as Avonex or Kesimpta, Copaxone is administered as a subcutaneous injection .
There are different dosages that can vary depending on the individual needs of the patient. Copaxone 20 mg/ml usually needs to be injected three times a day, while Copaxone 40 mg/ml three times a week is sufficient.
Typically, MS syringes are available in single-dose, prefilled syringes , but there is also the Autoject 2 injection device , which can help people who are uncomfortable with needles and syringes.
Copaxone effect
The active ingredient in Copaxone, glatiramer acetate, works to reduce the inflammation in the brain and spinal cord caused by MS by modulating the immune system .
In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath of healthy nerve cells, resulting in impaired nerve function. Glatiramer acetate mimics the myelin basic protein and thereby helps suppress this abnormal immune response.
Copaxone is not a cure for MS, but it is one of the most successful therapies for relieving symptoms and reducing the frequency of attacks in people affected.
There is currently no cure for MS. Depending on the case , different approaches and therapies can be used . Often it is a mixture of medication, physical therapy and lifestyle changes.
Copaxone is only available with a prescription and can cause serious side effects. If you or someone you know has MS, you should always see a doctor and get thorough advice.
Does Copaxone need to be refrigerated?
If you have been prescribed Copaxone injections, your doctor or pharmacist will have informed you about the special storage conditions for Copaxone. Copaxone is a biologic and, like other medications of this type including insulin , Ozempic and Mounjaro , must be kept refrigerated to maintain effectiveness.
Does Copaxone need to be stored in the refrigerator?
According to Teva GmbH , the manufacturer of Copaxone, the syringe must be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C until use.
It is recommended that you take the syringe out of the refrigerator about 15-30 minutes before use to allow it to warm up a little. This can minimize any pain and discomfort during administration.
How long can Copaxone be stored unrefrigerated?
Copaxone syringes, once removed from the refrigerator, can be stored at room temperature up to 30°C for a maximum of one month .
It is very important to ensure that the temperature does not exceed 30°C, even for a short moment. As mentioned above, Copaxone is very sensitive to temperature. This means that if the active ingredient is exposed to high temperatures, even for a short time, the medication can quickly lose its effectiveness.
Once the 30 days outside the refrigerator have passed, you should definitely not use your Copaxone syringe . Safety and effectiveness can no longer be guaranteed at this point.
The manufacturer also warns against freezing. Just as it is sensitive to high temperatures, Copaxone is also very sensitive to temperatures that are too cold. You should never use a Copaxone syringe that has been frozen, even if it has been thawed.
Traveling with Copaxone
If multiple sclerosis is a challenge in everyday life, you have to be even more careful when traveling. You have to plan carefully and always be prepared for emergencies , as you never know when symptoms will appear. You also have to make sure that your medication is kept cool while you are traveling.
Two of the most common situations in which you need to pay special attention to storage temperature when traveling with Copaxone:
- If you live or are traveling to a place where the outside temperature exceeds 30°C , you will need a cooler bag to keep your Copaxone injections cool and safe. Depending on the length of the trip, it is important to choose the right cooler bag.
- If you are traveling for more than 30 days , you will need a portable refrigerator to keep your Copaxone syringes cool and safe.
Again, it's all just a matter of planning! We have the perfect solution for you: 4AllFamily's medical portable refrigerators.
4AllFamily Copaxone cooler bag
4AllFamily develops travel coolers for people whose lives and well-being depend on chilled medications such as Copaxone. We have a diverse range from smaller, thermos-like cooling bottles to powerful travel refrigerators.
Depending on your personal preferences or type of travel, we will help you find the perfect portable cooling solution for your medications.
A popular variant from 4AllFamily is the Voyager . Especially if you need to transport a lot of Copaxone syringes , the Voyager with its large capacity is ideal. It works with three different cooling methods to adapt to any travel situation - from luxurious to adventurous trips:
- USB power + ice pack method: Maintains refrigerator temperature for up to 50 hours, even when outside temperatures reach 40°C (104°F).
- Ice pack only method (without electricity): Your Copaxone syringes will stay safely cooled for up to 28 hours.
- USB power method only (without ice packs): The travel fridge maintains a constant refrigerator temperature as long as the outside temperature is not higher than 35°C (95°F).
If you are just going on a short trip and are away for a few days, you don't necessarily need to keep your Copaxone syringes cool. It is enough to just protect them from excessive heat . In such a case, the Companion insulated cooler bag is ideal for you.
All of our portable travel cooler bags are approved for air travel , so you can easily carry your syringes chilled in your hand luggage.
Check out our full catalog for many more cooling options! We're here to help. If you have any questions or concerns about our products, leave a comment or contact us directly.
Similar article :Keeping medications cool when traveling: cool bags, cooled medications on airplanes, hand luggage and much more!
Copaxone vs. Avonex vs. Kesimpta vs. Betaseron
In addition to Copaxone, there are other treatment options for MS. Avonex, Kesimpta and Betaseron are other very common medications.
All four are often compared with each other, but differ in their mode of action , active ingredients, administration methods, dosages and side effects:
- Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is injected subcutaneously, i.e. under the skin. It is prescribed in cases of relapsing forms of MS and changes the immune system to reduce inflammation and protect myelin. Depending on the prescription, the injections should be given either three times a day or three times a week.
- Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is injected directly into the muscle. Like Copaxone, it is injected in the relapsing forms of MS, but only once a week. It regulates inflammation and helps regulate the immune system to prevent further damage to the central nervous system.
- Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is a relatively new drug that is also used to treat relapsing forms of MS, including relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Like Copaxone, it is injected subcutaneously. The big difference, however, is that after an initial adjustment period, it only needs to be injected once a month. Kesimpta is a CD20-targeted cytolytic antibody that depletes certain B cells involved in the immune response in MS.
- Betaferon (interferon beta-1b) is similar to Avonex and is also used for the relapsing forms of MS. It usually needs to be injected under the skin every two days.
Which medication is right for you depends on various factors and should only be decided by a doctor who specializes in MS .
Would you like to share your experience with us? Do you use Copaxone? Have you ever traveled with your injections?
