Concern for my Friend

[peggyreed22]

My friend reduced her dose of Copaxone to 10mg instead of 20, a day about a month ago to try and save money.  I told her I thought that was playing with fire and she might come to regret it down the road.  Will this hurt her in the long run or is half a dose sufficient?  She's been on Copaxone for at least 5 years.

[peggyreed22]

She was doing every other day shots of 20 mg instead of daily doses; but she has gone back to her regular 20 mg a day since I have been so worried about her cutting back.  I am so grateful  to all who responded about assistance and I will be helping her to contact Shared Solutions for help.  Thanks to all of you!

[peggyreed22]

Thank you so much for the information.  I will definitely help her contact Shared Solutions for some assistance.

[peggyreed22]

Thank you for your information, I'll have her contact the drug company for assistance and she is back on a full dose daily because of my concerns.  Thanks again.

[twopack]

I'd be wondering how she is dividing and injecting for 10mg doses.  Copaxone only comes in 20mg pre-filled syringes with an attached needle.  There is no acceptable way to divide the dose while maintaining enough cleanliness to prevent complications from contamination.

I believe there has been some talk about the possibilities of Copaxone retaining effectiveness with every other day dosing but this does NOT have official sanction as far as I know.  Even so, daily half-dosing can't necessarily be compared side-by-side to every other day full dosing.

I believe you are right that she will regret this strategy at some point - because of unnecessary symptom flares, unnecessary injection related infection or some other complication of 'off-label' self administration.

Others here are right about the many assistance programs available for disease modifying drug treatments.  Please urge your friend to contact Shared Solutions or her MS treatment provider for the help she needs.

And thank YOU for advocating for your friend!
Mary

[jensequitur]

I got on the financial assistance plan for Copaxone, and when I switched to Betaseron, they were able to give me the same deal.

[JaneK1975]

Your friend may already have a plan in place, with this reduction being temporary while she gets an insurance issue worked out,... but it would be nice of you to ask her whether she has spoken to Shared Solutions (the company that manages Copaxone distribution) about her current insurance status to see if they can help.

Shared Solutions has various financial assistance programs available, including copy assistance for anyone who is insured but has a copy over $35 per month (I use that one myself). If she has no insurance at all, a call to the National MS Society may help her find some assistance from private sources.

I imagine the other DMD's have similar programs, so she might even be able to look into switching to Avonex or Rebif or some other DMD if she needs to so that she can stay optimally protected.

Best wishes,
Jane

[SarahL2491]

I got this quote from a pharmacist.  Other than that I don't know but I don't think its a good idea to cut the dose.


copaxone. Unfortunately, this is a difficult situation and a difficult question to answer. It is not recommended to use these medications in any way except for their approved dosage. If the cost of the medication is the issue,contact the drug companies.

Most of the drug companies have wonderful cost assistance programs now.  Even Tysabri is offering a $30 a month plan.......Good luck but I hope you talk her out of it.