Does anyone take Generic Copaxone?

[stella_jean]

Freezing and chills after injection

Well, it was bound to happen. My insurance threw down the gauntlet and forced my hand at taking the generic. My neuro called in Mylan Glatiramer Acetate. Getting off the ground with this stuff was a nightmare, not nearly as smooth as Copaxone. I had to hand hold the whole process the whole way. I had to ensure the specialty pharmacy had a pre-authorization for both the injections and the injection device. That was early January. I got the medication first.

I finally got the injection device, but not before my nurse neighbor taught me how to manually inject. So, now I manually inject, because the injection device is actually more complicated than it's worth. I have to make an appointment for injection training, but had bronchitis for a month, so I told her to postpone. A couple things: I am shocked to say this, but I have had NO LUMPS, NO ITCHING from this generic. I had a site reaction each Copaxone injection, but NOTHING with this one. I was shocked. I still get the chills after I inject, but that happened with Copaxone anyhow. I am a month in, and praying I do not develop an allergy to this medication. Right now,

I am battling with the specialty pharmacy as they are trying to collect $3k from me, even thought I have spoken to them 3x about the copay assistance that was verified already. The level of service is not as good as Copaxone, and the process seems fractured and disorganized, but I am pleased with the lack of itching and lumps.

LesaL77 I had been suffering with the "freezing" episodes for 2 years. First on Copaxone, then Glatiramer. The pre-filled syringes are packed with a little bit of air in them. I discovered if I press the plunger and expel the air bubble before injecting, I do not have the freezing attacks after injection. Worth a try.

Talk to your doctor first, if you are unsure about doing this

[stella_jean]

Leenyi, Thank you for your support.I had been taking Copaxone successfully since 2006? I had a few relapses on Copaxone, only 2 sent me to the hospital. Others were more mild. I had to switch to generic 13 months ago. I have had periods of increased pain and double-vision, but they only lasted about a week in the past. Since the middle of January I have had lots of pain. Trigeminal neuralgia on both sides of my head. My double vision has been more troublesome. This is breakthrough double-vision, as I have prisms in my glasses to eliminate it. It is more disorienting. I have almost fallen many times. I am not sure I can blame this on the generic. I have also been sick for 2 months off and on with upper respiratory infections.

[Leenyi]

Wow Stella Jean I'm so sorry that you're having problems!

How long were you on copaxone before they made you switch?
It does seem a little suspension that you are having problems now! Were you having relapses on the copaxone?

I hope you're relapse ends soon!

[stella_jean]

Generic Copaxone

I have been taking Glatiramer Acetate for the past 13 months. I hadn't noticed any difference from the Copaxone I had taken for many years. But a month ago, I started a flare. It is still ongoing. Never had a flare last this long before. Don't know if this is natural progression or due to the difference in medications. It was necessary to change meds due to a change in my insurance.

[MS TOO]

My HMO, Kaiser, switched me to the generic after my labs on Tecfidera indicated my white blood cell counts were dropping off. I had been on Copaxone for 6 or 7 years before trying Tecfidera for a little over a year. Since starting on the generic I have not had any issues. I think the formulation must be identical or nearly identical as I have not noticed any difference and no new lesions!

[Mamabug]

Anyone else have a story to share about effectiveness?

Thanks for resurrecting the thread. Knowing how effective the generic copaxone is is probably relevant for a few of us who might be in that boat someday.

[smiles]

Effectiveness of Generic vs Copaxone

Well, it was bound to happen. My insurance threw down the gauntlet and forced my hand at taking the generic.

6 months later, how is it working for you? I am in the same boat starting in Jan. I don't have a problem with it as long as it works as well. I have excellent results for almost 20 years and don't want to find out the hard way!

I have other generics work great and some really bad.

Anyone else have a story to share about effectiveness?

[Nenative]

New Insurance United Healthcare denying brand Copaxone

New insurance in Sept. 2018. They wanted me to switch to generic. I didn't want to and my doctor did not want me to. Somehow he was able to convince them for me to stay on it. I got a letter from them stating I was approved until 2023.
On 21st of March I receive a phone call from pharmacy saying insurance plan no longer covers copaxone. They say my dr can appeal again which he did. It is now the 26th of March still no resolution....
I have been on Copaxone with no major relapses since Nov. 2008....I know no other ms drug.
I am mad, sad, and scared with the thought of taking generic..
Someone please tell me they also had to switch. Please tell me you remain stable on the generic. I am most certain big insurance company is going to win this time.
So not right that my health and livelihood can be dictated by insurance an company...

[LisaL77]

2019 my insurance directed me to the generic

Well, it was bound to happen. My insurance threw down the gauntlet and forced my hand at taking the generic. My neuro called in Mylan Glatiramer Acetate. Getting off the ground with this stuff was a nightmare, not nearly as smooth as Copaxone. I had to hand hold the whole process the whole way. I had to ensure the specialty pharmacy had a pre-authorization for both the injections and the injection device. That was early January. I got the medication first.

I finally got the injection device, but not before my nurse neighbor taught me how to manually inject. So, now I manually inject, because the injection device is actually more complicated than it's worth. I have to make an appointment for injection training, but had bronchitis for a month, so I told her to postpone. A couple things: I am shocked to say this, but I have had NO LUMPS, NO ITCHING from this generic. I had a site reaction each Copaxone injection, but NOTHING with this one. I was shocked. I still get the chills after I inject, but that happened with Copaxone anyhow. I am a month in, and praying I do not develop an allergy to this medication. Right now,

I am battling with the specialty pharmacy as they are trying to collect $3k from me, even thought I have spoken to them 3x about the copay assistance that was verified already. The level of service is not as good as Copaxone, and the process seems fractured and disorganized, but I am pleased with the lack of itching and lumps.

[its2much]

Email this morning from MSAA

Email this morning from MSAA indicating that the FDA approved generic Copaxone 40mg on February 13th....

[Leenyi]

My pharmacy asked when I filled my copaxone last week. I said no because my doctor doesn't want me to. Are the generics just hitting the market? I've been wondering when someone was going to put pressure on me to switch.

[its2much]

My Pharmacy Asks

me if I want the generic. They have been for a few months. I decline. Holding my breath that insurance won't make the decision for me.

[blueyes95]

No one even told me I was going to be getting switched to the generic, it just happened. I thought that was my insurance dictating what I would be taking, but when I call to get my next refill I will be letting them know that I want to be put back on the original Copaxone. Thank You Mamabug for the info.

[Mamabug]

I was automatically switched to the generic 40 mg version of Copaxone and I'm not sure if I'm liking it. Could I have my neuro request to switch me back to the original? I guess I'll ask since I'm seeing her later this month.

My pharmacy switched me to generic, too, when I called to refill my rx in December. After we went through the whole switch, and I finally asked why I was being switched (ie: was it an insurance issue, etc), they told me I didn't have to switch -- that it was up to me. I don't feel like it was explained well at the beginning of the call. I didn't realize it was a choice.

So, I had them switch me back, right there on the same phone call. It might just be that whoever you talked to on the phone didn't explain it well, blueyes. Perhaps it is your choice, like it was for me.

[blueyes95]

I didn't know there was an option

I was automatically switched to the generic 40 mg version of Copaxone and I'm not sure if I'm liking it. Could I have my neuro request to switch me back to the original? I guess I'll ask since I'm seeing her later this month.