Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is a brand-name injection that’s prescribed for certain types of multiple sclerosis (MS). Copaxone isn’t known to interact with other drugs, alcohol, or supplements. However, the drug has certain health-related interactions.

Copaxone is prescribed for adults to treat:

An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

By learning about possible Copaxone interactions, you can work with your doctor to ensure Copaxone will be safe and effective for you to use. For additional information about Copaxone, including details about its uses, see this Copaxone overview article.

Boxed warning: Risk of anaphylaxis

Copaxone has a boxed warning about the risk of anaphylaxis, a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Reports of anaphylaxis during Copaxone treatment occurred after the drug became available for use. Anaphylaxis was fatal in some cases. It can occur any time after starting Copaxone treatment, such as right after the first dose up to years after the start of treatment. In most cases, anaphylaxis occurred within the first hour of having the Copaxone injection.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis that you should be aware of include:
• trouble breathing
• chest discomfort
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat
• itchy, discolored, or irritated skin
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Certain signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may overlap with injection site reactions. (See this Copaxone side effects article for more details about injection site reactions.)

If you experience any of the symptoms above, immediately seek emergency medical help by calling 911 or your local emergency number. Your doctor will stop treatment with Copaxone if you have this reaction to the drug. If you’ve had allergic reactions to Copaxone before, your doctor won’t prescribe you this medication. For more information on this warning, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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Copaxone isn’t known to interact with other medications. However, this doesn’t mean interactions cannot occur. For example, other drugs may be approved in the future that may have interactions with Copaxone.

Before you start treatment with Copaxone, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Copaxone interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Copaxone and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Copaxone due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. A contraindication of Copaxone includes:

Having had an allergic reaction to Copaxone or any of its ingredients

If you have had an allergic reaction to Copaxone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Copaxone. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Copaxone, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. Copaxone has a boxed warning for the risk of anaphylaxis, a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed warning” section at the beginning of the article. Your doctor can determine whether to prescribe Copaxone.

There aren’t any known interactions between Copaxone and alcohol. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Copaxone treatment.

This is because drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of Copaxone’s side effects. Examples include nausea or flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color).

If you consume alcohol during Copaxone treatment, these side effects may be more likely to occur. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during Copaxone treatment, talk with your doctor.

Copaxone may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Copaxone.

Copaxone interactions with supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Copaxone interactions with herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Copaxone. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Copaxone treatment.

Copaxone interactions with vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Copaxone. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Copaxone.

Copaxone interactions with food

There were no reports of food interactions with Copaxone. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Copaxone, talk with your doctor.

Copaxone interactions with vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Copaxone and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Copaxone interactions with lab tests

Copaxone isn’t known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

COPAXONE INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Copaxone. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Copaxone. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Copaxone treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Copaxone. Before you start treatment with this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Copaxone may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Copaxone include:

  • Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Copaxone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Copaxone. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
  • Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Copaxone while breastfeeding. There isn’t enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Copaxone. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed a child who is breastfed.
  • Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Copaxone is safe to use while pregnant. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Copaxone. They can advise the right treatment plan for you.

Note: Copaxone has a boxed warning for the risk of anaphylaxis, a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Boxed warning” section at the beginning of the article.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Copaxone. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

  • Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
  • Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
  • Create a medication listTrusted Source, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Copaxone label and other paperworkTrusted Source that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Copaxone doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Copaxone by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.