If you have certain types of multiple sclerosis (MS) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), your doctor might suggest Copaxone as a treatment option for you. It’s a prescription medication used to treat the following conditions in adults:

The active drug in Copaxone is glatiramer acetate. This is the ingredient that makes Copaxone work. It belongs to a group of drugs called immunomodulators, which work with your immune system.

Copaxone comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin.

This article describes the dosages of Copaxone, as well as its strengths and how to inject it. To learn more about Copaxone, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Copaxone’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Copaxone, always inject the dosage your doctor prescribes.

You can read about the usual dosages of Copaxone below. But your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

What is Copaxone’s form?

Copaxone comes as a single-dose, prefilled syringe with 1 milliliter (mL) of liquid solution. It’s given as an injection under your skin.

The manufacturer also makes an automatic injector device called autoject2 for glass syringe. You can use this device if you have concerns about giving yourself injections.

What strengths does Copaxone come in?

Copaxone comes in two strengths:

  • 20 milligrams (mg)/mL
  • 40 mg/mL

What are the usual dosages of Copaxone?

The information below describes Copaxone dosages that are commonly used or recommended.

Dosing schedule for clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)

The dose for clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is usually the same as the dose for MS. But be sure to inject the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The dosing schedule for CIS is as follows:

  • If your doctor prescribes the 20 mg/mL syringe, you’ll inject Copaxone 20 mg under your skin once daily.
  • If your doctor prescribes the 40 mg/mL syringe, you’ll inject Copaxone 40 mg under your skin three times per week. If possible, try to inject your doses on the same 3 days each week, such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Make sure to wait at least 48 hours between doses.

Dosing schedule for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)

The dose for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is usually the same as the dose for active secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and CIS. But be sure to inject the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The dosing schedule for RRMS is as follows:

  • If your doctor prescribes the 20-mg/mL syringe, you’ll inject Copaxone 20 mg under your skin once daily.
  • If your doctor prescribes the 40-mg/mL syringe, you’ll inject Copaxone 40 mg under your skin three times per week. If possible, try to inject your doses on the same 3 days each week, such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Make sure to wait at least 48 hours between doses.

Dosing schedule for active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)

The dose for SPMS is usually the same as the dose for RRMS and CIS. But be sure to inject the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The dosing schedule for SPMS is as follows:

  • If your doctor prescribes the 20-mg/mL syringe, you’ll inject Copaxone 20 mg under your skin once daily.
  • If your doctor prescribes the 40-mg/mL syringe, you’ll inject Copaxone 40 mg under your skin three times per week. If possible, try to inject your doses on the same three days each week, such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Make sure to wait at least 48 hours between doses.

Is Copaxone used long term?

Yes, Copaxone is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use Copaxone long term.

If you forget your 20-mg daily Copaxone dose, inject it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, just wait until the next dose. Do not inject two doses at once.

If you forget your 40-mg (three times weekly) Copaxone dose, inject it as soon as you remember. Then wait at least 48 hours before injecting your next dose. You can resume your normal dosing schedule the following week, as long as you wait at least 48 hours between doses.

Call your doctor if you’re unsure of when to inject your next dose of Copaxone after missing a dose.

If you need help remembering to inject your dose of Copaxone on time, try the manufacturer’s injection tracker. You can also try a medication reminder, such as setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

The dosage of Copaxone your doctor prescribes may depend on several factors, including the type and severity of the condition being treated.

Copaxone is given as an injection under your skin. You’ll usually get your first dose of Copaxone from a healthcare professional. They’ll show you how to inject the medication correctly.

Copaxone should be stored in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C). When you’re ready to inject your dose, remove the single-dose syringe from the refrigerator. Let it stay at room temperature for about 20 minutes. The solution should look clear or slightly yellow, and it should be easy to see through. You should safely discard any dose that doesn’t look right.

You can inject Copaxone into your belly, thighs, or the upper part of your hips. If a caregiver is doing the injection for you, they can also use the back of your upper arm. Try to switch between several injection sites to let prior ones heal before injecting again in these areas. For detailed instructions on how to inject Copaxone, visit the manufacturer’s website.

For information on Copaxone expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t. Your pharmacist may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s blister package.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Copaxone for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Copaxone without your doctor’s recommendation. Only inject Copaxone exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Will I get the 20-mg dose or the 40-mg dose of Copaxone?
  • Will my Copaxone dosage change if my symptoms get better?
  • How can I make sure that I’m safely injecting doses of Copaxone?

For news on treatments, and information from others living with multiple sclerosis, sign up for Healthline’s MS newsletter. You can also find support and advice from our Bezzy multiple sclerosis community.

Q:

Will my Copaxone dosage affect my risk of having a skin reaction at the site where I inject the drug?

Anonymous

A:

Not necessarily. Injection site reactions were common in studies of both the 20-milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) and 40-mg/mL doses of Copaxone. Examples include pain, itching, and swelling around the area where Copaxone is injected.

To reduce your risk of injection site reactions with Copaxone, it’s important to rotate your injection sites. This means you should inject Copaxone into a different area of the body for each dose. You can inject Copaxone into your thighs, belly, or upper hips. A caregiver can also inject Copaxone into the back of your upper arms.

If you’re concerned about your risk of side effects with Copaxone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see this article.

Amber Watson, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.