ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS. The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:Immediate Post-Injection Reaction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Chest Pain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Lipoatrophy and Skin Necrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Potential Effects on Immune Response [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Hepatic Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] Immediate Post-Injection Reaction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Chest Pain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Lipoatrophy and Skin Necrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Potential Effects on Immune Response [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Hepatic Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] In controlled studies of COPAXONE 20 mg/mL, most common adverse reactions (>=10% and >=1.5 times higher than placebo) were: injection site reactions, vasodilatation, rash, dyspnea, and chest pain (6.1) In controlled study of COPAXONE 40 mg/mL, most common adverse reactions (>=10% and >=1.5 times higher than placebo) were: injection site reactions (6.1)To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Teva Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-483-8279 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.. In controlled studies of COPAXONE 20 mg/mL, most common adverse reactions (>=10% and >=1.5 times higher than placebo) were: injection site reactions, vasodilatation, rash, dyspnea, and chest pain (6.1) In controlled study of COPAXONE 40 mg/mL, most common adverse reactions (>=10% and >=1.5 times higher than placebo) were: injection site reactions (6.1). 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience. Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.Incidence in Controlled Clinical TrialsCOPAXONE 20 mg per mL per dayAmong 563 patients treated with COPAXONE in blinded placebo-controlled trials, approximately 5% of the subjects discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions most commonly associated with discontinuation were: injection site reactions, dyspnea, urticaria, vasodilatation, and hypersensitivity. The most common adverse reactions were: injection site reactions, vasodilatation, rash, dyspnea, and chest pain.Table lists signs and symptoms that occurred in at least 2% of patients treated with COPAXONE 20 mg per mL in the placebo-controlled trials. These signs and symptoms were numerically more common in patients treated with COPAXONE than in patients treated with placebo. Adverse reactions were usually mild in intensity.Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Controlled Clinical Trials with an Incidence >=2% of Patients and More Frequent with COPAXONE (20 mg per mL Daily) than with Placebo COPAXONE 20 mg/mL (n=563) Placebo (n=564) Blood And Lymphatic System Disorders Lymphadenopathy 3 Cardiac Disorders Palpitations 4 Tachycardia 2 Eye Disorders Eye Disorder 1 Diplopia 2 Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea 15 11 Vomiting 4 Dysphagia 1 General Disorders And Administration Site Conditions Injection Site Erythema 43 10 Injection Site Pain 40 20 Injection Site Pruritus 27 Injection Site Mass 26 Asthenia 22 21 Pain 20 17 Injection Site Edema 19 Chest Pain 13 Injection Site Inflammation 1 Edema 2 Injection Site Reaction 1 Pyrexia 5 Injection Site Hypersensitivity 0 Local Reaction 1 Chills 1 Face Edema 1 Edema Peripheral 2 Injection Site Fibrosis 1 Injection Site Atrophy 0 Immune System Disorders Hypersensitivity 2 Infections And Infestations Infection 30 28 Influenza 14 13 Rhinitis 5 Bronchitis 5 Gastroenteritis 4 Vaginal Candidiasis 2 Metabolism And Nutrition Disorders Weight Increased 1 Musculoskeletal And Connective Tissue Disorders Back Pain 12 10 Neoplasms Benign, Malignant And Unspecified (Incl Cysts And Polyps) Benign Neoplasm of Skin 1 Nervous System Disorders Tremor 2 Migraine 2 Syncope 2 Speech Disorder 1 Psychiatric Disorders Anxiety 13 10 Nervousness 1 Renal And Urinary Disorders Micturition Urgency 4 Respiratory, Thoracic And Mediastinal Disorders Dyspnea 14 Cough 5 Laryngospasm 1 Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash 19 11 Hyperhidrosis 5 Pruritus 4 Urticaria 1 Skin Disorder 1 Vascular Disorders Vasodilatation 20 Injection site atrophy comprises terms relating to localized lipoatrophy at injection siteAdverse reactions which occurred only in to more subjects in the COPAXONE group than in the placebo group (less than 1% difference), but for which relationship to COPAXONE could not be excluded, were arthralgia and herpes simplex.Laboratory analyses were performed on all patients participating in the clinical program for COPAXONE. Clinically-significant laboratory values for hematology, chemistry, and urinalysis were similar for both COPAXONE and placebo groups in blinded clinical trials. In controlled trials one patient discontinued treatment due to thrombocytopenia (16 x109/L), which resolved after discontinuation of treatment.Data on adverse reactions occurring in the controlled clinical trials of COPAXONE 20 mg per mL were analyzed to evaluate differences based on sex. No clinically-significant differences were identified. Ninety-six percent of patients in these clinical trials were Caucasian. The majority of patients treated with COPAXONE were between the ages of 18 and 45. Consequently, data are inadequate to perform an analysis of the adverse reaction incidence related to clinically-relevant age subgroups. Other Adverse ReactionsIn the paragraphs that follow, the frequencies of less commonly reported adverse clinical reactions are presented. Because the reports include reactions observed in open and uncontrolled premarketing studies (n= 979), the role of COPAXONE in their causation cannot be reliably determined. Furthermore, variability associated with adverse reaction reporting, the terminology used to describe adverse reactions, etc., limit the value of the quantitative frequency estimates provided. Reaction frequencies are calculated as the number of patients who used COPAXONE and reported reaction divided by the total number of patients exposed to COPAXONE. All reported reactions are included except those already listed in the previous table, those too general to be informative, and those not reasonably associated with the use of the drug. Reactions are further classified within body system categories and enumerated in order of decreasing frequency using the following definitions: Frequent adverse reactions are defined as those occurring in at least 1/100 patients and infrequent adverse reactions are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1,000 patients.Body as Whole:Frequent: AbscessInfrequent: Injection site hematoma, moon face, cellulitis, hernia, injection site abscess, serum sickness, suicide attempt, injection site hypertrophy, injection site melanosis, lipoma, and photosensitivity reaction.Cardiovascular:Frequent: Hypertension.Infrequent: Hypotension, midsystolic click, systolic murmur, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, fourth heart sound, postural hypotension, and varicose veins.Digestive:Infrequent: Dry mouth, stomatitis, burning sensation on tongue, cholecystitis, colitis, esophageal ulcer, esophagitis, gastrointestinal carcinoma, gum hemorrhage, hepatomegaly, increased appetite, melena, mouth ulceration, pancreas disorder, pancreatitis, rectal hemorrhage, tenesmus, tongue discoloration, and duodenal ulcer.Endocrine: Infrequent: Goiter, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism.Gastrointestinal:Frequent: Bowel urgency, oral moniliasis, salivary gland enlargement, tooth caries, and ulcerative stomatitis.Hemic and Lymphatic:Infrequent: Leukopenia, anemia, cyanosis, eosinophilia, hematemesis, lymphedema, pancytopenia, and splenomegaly.Metabolic and Nutritional:Infrequent: Weight loss, alcohol intolerance, Cushings syndrome, gout, abnormal healing, and xanthoma.Musculoskeletal:Infrequent: Arthritis, muscle atrophy, bone pain, bursitis, kidney pain, muscle disorder, myopathy, osteomyelitis, tendon pain, and tenosynovitis.Nervous:Frequent: Abnormal dreams, emotional lability, and stupor.Infrequent: Aphasia, ataxia, convulsion, circumoral paresthesia, depersonalization, hallucinations, hostility, hypokinesia, coma, concentration disorder, facial paralysis, decreased libido, manic reaction, memory impairment, myoclonus, neuralgia, paranoid reaction, paraplegia, psychotic depression, and transient stupor.Respiratory:Frequent: Hyperventilation and hay fever.Infrequent: Asthma, pneumonia, epistaxis, hypoventilation, and voice alteration.Skin and Appendages:Frequent: Eczema, herpes zoster, pustular rash, skin atrophy, and warts.Infrequent: Dry skin, skin hypertrophy, dermatitis, furunculosis, psoriasis, angioedema, contact dermatitis, erythema nodosum, fungal dermatitis, maculopapular rash, pigmentation, benign skin neoplasm, skin carcinoma, skin striae, and vesiculobullous rash.Special Senses:Frequent: Visual field defect.Infrequent: Dry eyes, otitis externa, ptosis, cataract, corneal ulcer, mydriasis, optic neuritis, photophobia, and taste loss.Urogenital:Frequent: Amenorrhea, hematuria, impotence, menorrhagia, suspicious papanicolaou smear, urinary frequency, and vaginal hemorrhage.Infrequent: Vaginitis, flank pain (kidney), abortion, breast engorgement, breast enlargement, carcinoma in situ cervix, fibrocystic breast, kidney calculus, nocturia, ovarian cyst, priapism, pyelonephritis, abnormal sexual function, and urethritis.COPAXONE 40 mg per mL three times per weekAmong 943 patients treated with COPAXONE 40 mg per mL three times per week in blinded, placebo-controlled trial, approximately 3% of the subjects discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. The most common adverse reactions were injection site reactions, which were also the most common cause of discontinuation.Table lists signs and symptoms that occurred in at least 2% of patients treated with COPAXONE 40 mg per mL in the blinded, placebo-controlled trial. These signs and symptoms were numerically more common in patients treated with COPAXONE 40 mg per mL than in patients treated with placebo. Adverse reactions were usually mild in intensity.Table 2: Adverse Reactions in Controlled Clinical Trial with an Incidence >=2% of Patients and More Frequent with COPAXONE (40 mg per mL Three Times per Week) than with Placebo COPAXONE 40 mg/mL (n=943) Placebo (n=461) General Disorders And Administration Site Conditions Injection Site Erythema 22 Injection Site Pain 10 Injection Site Mass 0 Injection Site Pruritus 0 Injection Site Edema 0 Pyrexia 2 Influenza-like Illness 2 Injection Site Inflammation 0 Chills 0 Chest Pain 1 Infections And Infestations Nasopharyngitis 11 Respiratory Tract Infection Viral 2 Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders Dyspnea 0 Vascular Disorders Vasodilatation 0 Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea 1 Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Erythema 0 Rash 1 No new adverse reactions appeared in subjects treated with COPAXONE 40 mg per mL three times per week as compared to subjects treated with COPAXONE 20 mg per mL per day in clinical trials and during postmarketing experience. Data on adverse reactions occurring in the controlled clinical trial of COPAXONE 40 mg per mL were analyzed to evaluate differences based on sex. No clinically significant differences were identified. Ninety-eight percent of patients in this clinical trial were Caucasian and the majority were between the ages of 18 and 50. Consequently, data are inadequate to perform an analysis of the adverse reaction incidence related to clinically-relevant age groups.. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience. The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of COPAXONE. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish causal relationship to drug exposure.Body as Whole: sepsis; SLE syndrome; hydrocephalus; enlarged abdomen; allergic reaction; anaphylactoid reactionCardiovascular System: thrombosis; peripheral vascular disease; pericardial effusion; myocardial infarct; deep thrombophlebitis; coronary occlusion; congestive heart failure; cardiomyopathy; cardiomegaly; arrhythmia; angina pectorisDigestive System: tongue edema; stomach ulcer; hemorrhage; eructationHemic and Lymphatic System: thrombocytopenia; lymphoma-like reaction; acute leukemiaHepatobiliary Disorders: cholelithiasis; liver function abnormality; cirrhosis of the liver; hepatitis; hepatic injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: hypercholesterolemiaMusculoskeletal System: rheumatoid arthritis; generalized spasmNervous System: myelitis; meningitis; CNS neoplasm; cerebrovascular accident; brain edema; abnormal dreams; aphasia; convulsion; neuralgiaRespiratory System: pulmonary embolus; pleural effusion; carcinoma of lungSpecial Senses: glaucoma; blindnessUrogenital System: urogenital neoplasm; urine abnormality; ovarian carcinoma; nephrosis; kidney failure; breast carcinoma; bladder carcinoma; urinary frequency.

CARCINOGENESIS & MUTAGENESIS & IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY SECTION.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility. CarcinogenesisIn 2-year carcinogenicity study, mice were administered up to 60 mg/kg/day glatiramer acetate by subcutaneous injection (up to 15 times the human therapeutic dose of 20 mg/day on mg/m2 basis). No increase in systemic neoplasms was observed. In males receiving the 60-mg/kg/day dose, there was an increased incidence of fibrosarcomas at the injection sites. These sarcomas were associated with skin damage precipitated by repetitive injections of an irritant over limited skin area. In 2-year carcinogenicity study, rats were administered up to 30 mg/kg/day glatiramer acetate by subcutaneous injection (up to 15 times the human therapeutic dose on mg/m2 basis). No increase in neoplasms was observed. MutagenesisGlatiramer acetate was not mutagenic in in vitro (Ames test, mouse lymphoma tk) assays. Glatiramer acetate was clastogenic in two separate in vitro chromosomal aberration assays in cultured human lymphocytes but not clastogenic in an in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.Impairment of FertilityWhen glatiramer acetate was administered by subcutaneous injection prior to and during mating (males and females) and throughout gestation and lactation (females) at doses up to 36 mg/kg/day (18 times the human therapeutic dose on mg/m2 basis) no adverse effects were observed on reproductive or developmental parameters.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION.

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. 12.1 Mechanism of Action. The mechanism(s) by which glatiramer acetate exerts its effects in patients with MS are not fully understood. However, glatiramer acetate is thought to act by modifying immune processes that are believed to be responsible for the pathogenesis of MS. This hypothesis is supported by findings of studies that have been carried out to explore the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, condition induced in animals through immunization against central nervous system derived material containing myelin and often used as an experimental animal model of MS. Studies in animals and in vitro systems suggest that upon its administration, glatiramer acetate-specific suppressor T-cells are induced and activated in the periphery. Because glatiramer acetate can modify immune functions, concerns exist about its potential to alter naturally-occurring immune responses. There is no evidence that glatiramer acetate does this, but this has not been systematically evaluated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics. Results obtained in pharmacokinetic studies performed in humans (healthy volunteers) and animals support that substantial fraction of the therapeutic dose delivered to patients subcutaneously is hydrolyzed locally. Larger fragments of glatiramer acetate can be recognized by glatiramer acetate-reactive antibodies. Some fraction of the injected material, either intact or partially hydrolyzed, is presumed to enter the lymphatic circulation, enabling it to reach regional lymph nodes, and some may enter the systemic circulation intact.

CLINICAL STUDIES SECTION.

14 CLINICAL STUDIES. Evidence supporting the effectiveness of COPAXONE derives from five placebo-controlled trials, four of which used COPAXONE dose of 20 mg per mL per day and one of which used COPAXONE dose of 40 mg per mL three times per week.COPAXONE 20 mg per mL per day Study was performed at single center. Fifty patients were enrolled and randomized to receive daily doses of either COPAXONE, 20 mg per mL subcutaneously, or placebo (COPAXONE: n=25; placebo: n=25). Patients were diagnosed with RRMS by standard criteria, and had at least exacerbations during the years immediately preceding enrollment. Patients were ambulatory, as evidenced by score of no more than on the Kurtzke Disability Scale Score (DSS), standard scale ranging from 0-Normal to 10-Death due to MS. score of is defined as one at which patient is still ambulatory with assistance; score of means the patient must use wheelchair. Patients were examined every months for years, as well as within several days of presumed exacerbation. To confirm an exacerbation, blinded neurologist had to document objective neurologic signs, as well as document the existence of other criteria (e.g., the persistence of the neurological signs for at least 48 hours).The protocol-specified primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients in each treatment group who remained exacerbation free for the years of the trial, but two other important outcomes were also specified as endpoints: the frequency of attacks during the trial, and the change in the number of attacks compared with the number which occurred during the previous years.Table presents the values of the three outcomes described above, as well as several protocol-specified secondary measures. These values are based on the intent-to-treat population (i.e., all patients who received at least dose of treatment and who had at least on-treatment assessment):Table 3: Study Efficacy Results COPAXONE 20 mg/mL (n=25) Placebo (n=25) P-Value Relapse-Free Patients 14/25 (56%) 7/25 (28%) 0.085 Mean Relapse Frequency 0.6/2 years 2.4/2 years 0.005 Reduction in Relapse Rate Compared to Prestudy 3.2 1.6 0.025 Median Time to First Relapse (days) >700 150 0.03 of Progression-Free Patients 20/25 (80%) 13/25 (52%) 0.07 Progression was defined as an increase of at least point on the DSS, persisting for at least consecutive months.Study was multicenter trial of similar design which was performed in 11 US centers. total of 251 patients (COPAXONE: n=125; placebo: n=126) were enrolled. The primary outcome measure was the Mean 2-Year Relapse Rate. Table presents the values of this outcome for the intent-to-treat population, as well as several secondary measures:Table 4: Study Efficacy Results COPAXONE 20 mg/mL (n=125) Placebo (n=126) P-Value Mean No. of Relapses 1.19/2 years 1.68 /2 years 0.055 Relapse-Free Patients 42/125 (34%) 34/126 (27%) 0.25 Median Time to First Relapse (days) 287 198 0.23 of Progression-Free Patients 98/125 (78%) 95/126 (75%) 0.48 Mean Change in DSS -0.05 +0.21 0.023 In both studies, COPAXONE exhibited clear beneficial effect on relapse rate, and it is based on this evidence that COPAXONE is considered effective.In Study 3, 481 patients who had recently (within 90 days) experienced an isolated demyelinating event and who had lesions typical of multiple sclerosis on brain MRI were randomized to receive either COPAXONE 20 mg per mL (n=243) or placebo (n=238). The primary outcome measure was time to development of second exacerbation. Patients were followed for up to three years or until they reached the primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes were brain MRI measures, including number of new T2 lesions and T2 lesion volume.Time to development of second exacerbation was significantly delayed in patients treated with COPAXONE compared to placebo (Hazard Ratio 0.55; 95% confidence interval 0.40 to 0.77; Figure 1). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of patients developing relapse within 36 months were 42.9% in the placebo group and 24.7% in the COPAXONE group.Figure 1: Time to Second ExacerbationPatients treated with COPAXONE demonstrated fewer new T2 lesions at the last observation (rate ratio 0.41; confidence interval 0.28 to 0.59; < 0.0001). Additionally, baseline-adjusted T2 lesion volume at the last observation was lower for patients treated with COPAXONE (ratio of 0.89; confidence interval 0.84 to 0.94; = 0.0001).Study was multinational study in which MRI parameters were used both as primary and secondary endpoints. total of 239 patients with RRMS (COPAXONE: n=119; and placebo: n=120) were randomized. Inclusion criteria were similar to those in the second study with the additional criterion that patients had to have at least one Gd-enhancing lesion on the screening MRI. The patients were treated in double-blind manner for nine months, during which they underwent monthly MRI scanning. The primary endpoint for the double-blind phase was the total cumulative number of T1 Gd-enhancing lesions over the nine months. Table summarizes the results for the primary outcome measure monitored during the trial for the intent-to-treat cohort.Table 5: Study MRI Results COPAXONE 20 mg/mL (n=119) Placebo (n=120) P-Value Medians of the Cumulative Number of T1 Gd-Enhancing Lesions 11 17 0.0030 Figure displays the results of the primary outcome on monthly basis.Figure 2: Median Cumulative Number of Gd-Enhancing LesionsCOPAXONE 40 mg per mL three times per weekStudy was double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational study with total of 1404 patients with RRMS randomized in 2:1 ratio to receive either COPAXONE 40 mg per mL (n=943) or placebo (n=461) three times week for 12 months. Patients had median of relapses in the years prior to screening and had not received any interferon-beta for at least months prior to screening. Baseline EDSS scores ranged from to 5.5 with median of 2.5. Neurological evaluations were performed at baseline, every three months, and at unscheduled visits for suspected relapse or early termination. MRI was performed at baseline, months and 12, or early termination. total of 91% of those assigned to COPAXONE and 93% of those assigned to placebo completed treatment at 12 months.The primary outcome measure was the total number of confirmed relapses (persistence of neurological symptoms for at least 48 hours confirmed on examination with objective signs). The effect of COPAXONE on several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) variables, including number of new or enlarging T2 lesions and number of enhancing lesions on T1-weighted images, was also measured at months and 12. Table presents the results for the intent-to-treat population.Table 6: Study Efficacy and MRI Results COPAXONE 40 mg/mL (n=943) Placebo (n=461) P-Value Clinical Endpoints Number of confirmed relapses during the 12-month placebo-controlled phase Adjusted Mean Estimates Relative risk reduction 0.331 34% 0.505 <0.0001 MRI Endpoints Cumulative number of new or enlarging T2 lesions at Months and12 Adjusted Mean Estimates Relative risk reduction 3.650 35% 5.592 <0.0001 Cumulative number of enhancing lesions on T1-weighted images at Months and 12 Adjusted Mean Estimates Relative risk reduction 0.905 45% 1.639 <0.0001 image01. image02.

CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS. COPAXONE is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to glatiramer acetate or mannitol. Known hypersensitivity to glatiramer acetate or mannitol (4).

DESCRIPTION SECTION.

11 DESCRIPTION. Glatiramer acetate, the active ingredient of COPAXONE, consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides, containing four naturally occurring amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine with an average molar fraction of 0.141, 0.427, 0.095, and 0.338, respectively. The average molecular weight of glatiramer acetate is 5,000 9,000 daltons. Glatiramer acetate is identified by specific antibodies.Chemically, glatiramer acetate is designated L-glutamic acid polymer with L-alanine, L-lysine and L-tyrosine, acetate (salt). Its structural formula is: (Glu, Ala, Lys, Tyr)xxCH3COOH (C5H9NO4C3H7NO2C6H14N2O2C9H11NO3)xxC2H4O2 CAS 147245-92-9COPAXONE is clear, colorless to slightly yellow, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution for subcutaneous injection. Each mL of COPAXONE solution contains 20 mg or 40 mg of glatiramer acetate and the following inactive ingredient: 40 mg of mannitol. The pH of the solutions is approximately 5.5 to 7.0. The biological activity of glatiramer acetate is determined by its ability to block the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. For subcutaneous injection only; doses are not interchangeable (2.1)COPAXONE 20 mg/mL per day (2.1)COPAXONE 40 mg/mL three times per week (2.1)Before use, allow the solution to warm to room temperature (2.2). For subcutaneous injection only; doses are not interchangeable (2.1). COPAXONE 20 mg/mL per day (2.1). COPAXONE 40 mg/mL three times per week (2.1). Before use, allow the solution to warm to room temperature (2.2). 2.1 Recommended Dose. COPAXONE is for subcutaneous use only using the prefilled syringe or an optional injection device [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Do not administer intravenously. The dosing schedule depends on the product strength that is selected. The recommended doses are:COPAXONE 20 mg per mL: administer once per dayor COPAXONE 40 mg per mL: administer three times per week and at least 48 hours apartCOPAXONE 20 mg per mL and COPAXONE 40 mg per mL are not interchangeable.. COPAXONE 20 mg per mL: administer once per dayor COPAXONE 40 mg per mL: administer three times per week and at least 48 hours apart. 2.2 Instructions for Use. Remove one blister-packaged prefilled syringe from the refrigerated carton. Let the prefilled syringe stand at room temperature for 20 minutes to allow the solution to warm to room temperature. Visually inspect the syringe for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The solution in the syringe should appear clear, colorless to slightly yellow. If particulate matter or discoloration is observed, discard the syringe.Areas for subcutaneous self-injection include arms, abdomen, hips, and thighs. The prefilled syringe is for single use only. Discard unused portions.If using an optional autoinjector for administration, ensure the device is compatible for use with TEVAs COPAXONE [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)]. Refer to the autoinjector labeling to determine which device to use with COPAXONE and for information regarding instructions for use. Using an autoinjector that is not compatible for use with TEVAs COPAXONE may increase the risk for medication errors, such as dose omission or administration of partial dose.

DOSAGE FORMS & STRENGTHS SECTION.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS. Injection: 20 mg per mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with white plunger. For subcutaneous use only.Injection: 40 mg per mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with blue plunger. For subcutaneous use only.. Injection: 20 mg per mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with white plunger. For subcutaneous use only.. Injection: 40 mg per mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with blue plunger. For subcutaneous use only.. Injection: 20 mg/mL in single-dose prefilled syringe with white plunger (3)Injection: 40 mg/mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with blue plunger (3) Injection: 20 mg/mL in single-dose prefilled syringe with white plunger (3). Injection: 40 mg/mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with blue plunger (3).

DRUG INTERACTIONS SECTION.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS. Interactions between COPAXONE and other drugs have not been fully evaluated. Results from existing clinical trials do not suggest any significant interactions of COPAXONE with therapies commonly used in MS patients, including the concurrent use of corticosteroids for up to 28 days. COPAXONE has not been formally evaluated in combination with interferon beta.

GERIATRIC USE SECTION.

8.5 Geriatric Use. COPAXONE has not been studied in elderly patients.

HOW SUPPLIED SECTION.

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING. COPAXONE (glatiramer acetate injection) is clear, colorless to slightly yellow, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution supplied as:20 mg per mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with white plunger, in individual blister packages supplied in 30-count cartons (NDC 68546-317-30).40 mg per mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with blue plunger, in individual blister packages supplied in 12-count cartons (NDC 68546-325-12).An optional autoinjector is available by prescription separately [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Ensure TEVAs COPAXONE is used with compatible autoinjector if an optional autoinjector is prescribed [see Patient Counseling Information (17)].Store COPAXONE refrigerated at 2C to 8C (36F to 46F). If needed, the patient may store COPAXONE at room temperature, 15C to 30C (59F to 86F), for up to one month, but refrigeration is preferred. Avoid exposure to higher temperatures or intense light. Do not freeze COPAXONE. If COPAXONE syringe freezes, it should be discarded.. 20 mg per mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with white plunger, in individual blister packages supplied in 30-count cartons (NDC 68546-317-30).. 40 mg per mL in single-dose, prefilled syringe with blue plunger, in individual blister packages supplied in 12-count cartons (NDC 68546-325-12).

INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE. COPAXONE is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.. COPAXONE is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults (1).

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS SECTION.

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION. Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information and Instructions for Use).Optional AutoinjectorAdvise patients with new or existing glatiramer acetate prescriptions to consult their pharmacist or healthcare provider about using an optional prescribed compatible autoinjector device. Advise patients that not all optional prescribed autoinjectors are compatible with all glatiramer acetate products and using an autoinjector that is not compatible may increase the risk for medication errors, such as missing dose or administration of partial dose.Immediate Post-Injection ReactionAdvise patients that COPAXONE may cause various symptoms after injection, including flushing, chest pain, palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, dyspnea, constriction of the throat, and urticaria. These symptoms occur within seconds to minutes after injection and are generally transient and self-limited and do not require specific treatment. Inform patients that these symptoms may occur early or may have their onset several months after the initiation of treatment. patient may experience one or several episodes of these symptoms. Chest PainAdvise patients that they may experience transient chest pain either as part of the Immediate Post-Injection Reaction or in isolation. Inform patients that the pain should be transient. Some patients may experience more than one such episode, usually beginning at least one month after the initiation of treatment. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience chest pain of unusual duration or intensity.Lipoatrophy and Skin Necrosis at Injection SiteAdvise patients that localized lipoatrophy, and rarely, skin necrosis may occur at injection sites. Instruct patients to follow proper injection technique and to rotate injection areas and sites with each injection to minimize these risks.Hepatic InjuryAdvise patients that hepatic injury, including hepatic failure and hepatitis with jaundice, has been reported with the use of COPAXONE. Educate patients about the signs and symptoms of hepatic injury and instruct patients to report them immediately to their healthcare provider [see Warning and Precautions (5.5)]. PregnancyInstruct patients that if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking COPAXONE they should inform their physician [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. LactationAdvise patients to notify their healthcare provider if they are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed during COPAXONE therapy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)]. Instructions for UseInstruct patients to read the COPAXONE Patient Information leaflet carefully. COPAXONE 20 mg per mL and COPAXONE 40 mg per mL are not interchangeable. COPAXONE 20 mg per mL is administered daily and COPAXONE 40 mg per mL is administered three times per week. Caution patients to use aseptic technique. The first injection should be performed under the supervision of health care professional. Instruct patients to rotate injection areas and sites with each injection. Caution patients against the reuse of needles or syringes. Instruct patients in safe disposal procedures.Storage ConditionsAdvise patients that the recommended storage condition for COPAXONE is refrigeration at 36oF to 46oF (2oC to 8oC). If needed, the patient may store COPAXONE at room temperature, 59oF to 86oF (15oC to 30oC), for up to one month, but refrigeration is preferred. COPAXONE should not be exposed to higher temperatures or intense light. Do not freeze COPAXONE.Marketed by: Teva Neuroscience, Inc., Parsippany, NJ 07054Distributed by: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Parsippany, NJ 07054(C)2022 Teva Neuroscience, Inc.COP-008 logo.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE SECTION.

2.2 Instructions for Use. Remove one blister-packaged prefilled syringe from the refrigerated carton. Let the prefilled syringe stand at room temperature for 20 minutes to allow the solution to warm to room temperature. Visually inspect the syringe for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The solution in the syringe should appear clear, colorless to slightly yellow. If particulate matter or discoloration is observed, discard the syringe.Areas for subcutaneous self-injection include arms, abdomen, hips, and thighs. The prefilled syringe is for single use only. Discard unused portions.If using an optional autoinjector for administration, ensure the device is compatible for use with TEVAs COPAXONE [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)]. Refer to the autoinjector labeling to determine which device to use with COPAXONE and for information regarding instructions for use. Using an autoinjector that is not compatible for use with TEVAs COPAXONE may increase the risk for medication errors, such as dose omission or administration of partial dose.

LACTATION SECTION.

8.2 Lactation. Risk SummaryThere are no data on the presence of glatiramer acetate in human milk, the effects on breastfed infants, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mothers clinical need for COPAXONE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from COPAXONE or from the underlying maternal condition.

MECHANISM OF ACTION SECTION.

12.1 Mechanism of Action. The mechanism(s) by which glatiramer acetate exerts its effects in patients with MS are not fully understood. However, glatiramer acetate is thought to act by modifying immune processes that are believed to be responsible for the pathogenesis of MS. This hypothesis is supported by findings of studies that have been carried out to explore the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, condition induced in animals through immunization against central nervous system derived material containing myelin and often used as an experimental animal model of MS. Studies in animals and in vitro systems suggest that upon its administration, glatiramer acetate-specific suppressor T-cells are induced and activated in the periphery. Because glatiramer acetate can modify immune functions, concerns exist about its potential to alter naturally-occurring immune responses. There is no evidence that glatiramer acetate does this, but this has not been systematically evaluated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY SECTION.

13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY. 13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility. CarcinogenesisIn 2-year carcinogenicity study, mice were administered up to 60 mg/kg/day glatiramer acetate by subcutaneous injection (up to 15 times the human therapeutic dose of 20 mg/day on mg/m2 basis). No increase in systemic neoplasms was observed. In males receiving the 60-mg/kg/day dose, there was an increased incidence of fibrosarcomas at the injection sites. These sarcomas were associated with skin damage precipitated by repetitive injections of an irritant over limited skin area. In 2-year carcinogenicity study, rats were administered up to 30 mg/kg/day glatiramer acetate by subcutaneous injection (up to 15 times the human therapeutic dose on mg/m2 basis). No increase in neoplasms was observed. MutagenesisGlatiramer acetate was not mutagenic in in vitro (Ames test, mouse lymphoma tk) assays. Glatiramer acetate was clastogenic in two separate in vitro chromosomal aberration assays in cultured human lymphocytes but not clastogenic in an in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.Impairment of FertilityWhen glatiramer acetate was administered by subcutaneous injection prior to and during mating (males and females) and throughout gestation and lactation (females) at doses up to 36 mg/kg/day (18 times the human therapeutic dose on mg/m2 basis) no adverse effects were observed on reproductive or developmental parameters.

PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL.

Package/Label Display Panel, 20 mg/mL. NDC 68546-317-30 ONCE DAILY COPAXONE(R) (glatiramer acetate injection) 20 mg/mL Rx Only30 Single-Dose Pre-Filled SyringesEach pre-filled syringe contains mL COPAXONE(R) solution of: glatiramer acetate 20 mg; mannitol 40 mg (inactive ingredient) FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION ONLY Marketed by: Teva Neuroscience, Inc., Parsippany, NJ 07054Distributed by: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Parsippany NJ, 07054Product of Israel. 20mg carton.

PEDIATRIC USE SECTION.

8.4 Pediatric Use. The safety and effectiveness of COPAXONE have not been established in patients under 18 years of age.

PHARMACOKINETICS SECTION.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics. Results obtained in pharmacokinetic studies performed in humans (healthy volunteers) and animals support that substantial fraction of the therapeutic dose delivered to patients subcutaneously is hydrolyzed locally. Larger fragments of glatiramer acetate can be recognized by glatiramer acetate-reactive antibodies. Some fraction of the injected material, either intact or partially hydrolyzed, is presumed to enter the lymphatic circulation, enabling it to reach regional lymph nodes, and some may enter the systemic circulation intact.

PREGNANCY SECTION.

8.1 Pregnancy. Risk SummaryAvailable human data on the use of COPAXONE in pregnant women are not sufficient to support conclusions about drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. Administration of glatiramer acetate by subcutaneous injection to pregnant rats and rabbits resulted in no adverse effects on embryofetal or offspring development (see Data). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.DataHuman DataThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies of COPAXONE in pregnant women. The available postmarketing reports, case series, and small cohort studies do not provide sufficient information to support conclusions about drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. Animal DataIn rats or rabbits receiving glatiramer acetate by subcutaneous injection during the period of organogenesis, no adverse effects on embryofetal development were observed at doses up to 37.5 mg/kg/day (18 and 36 times, respectively, the therapeutic human dose of 20 mg/day on mg/m2 basis). In rats receiving subcutaneous glatiramer acetate at doses of up to 36 mg/kg from day 15 of pregnancy throughout lactation, no significant effects on delivery or on offspring growth and development were observed.

RECENT MAJOR CHANGES SECTION.

RECENTMAJOR CHANGES. Warnings and Precautions, Post-Injection Reaction (5.1) 1/2018 Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.2) 1/2022.

SPL PATIENT PACKAGE INSERT SECTION.

Patient Information. COPAXONE (co-PAX-own)(glatiramer acetate injection)for subcutaneous useRead this Patient Information before you start using COPAXONE and each time you get refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. What is COPAXONECOPAXONE is prescription medicine that is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.It is not known if COPAXONE is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age. Who should not use COPAXONEDo not use COPAXONE if you are allergic to glatiramer acetate, mannitol or any of the ingredients in COPAXONE. See the end of this leaflet for complete list of the ingredients in COPAXONE.What should tell my doctor before using COPAXONEBefore you use COPAXONE, tell your doctor if you:are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COPAXONE will harm your unborn baby.are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if COPAXONE passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while using COPAXONE.Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.COPAXONE may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how COPAXONE works.Know the medicines you take. Keep list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get new medicine.How should use COPAXONEFor detailed instructions, see the Instructions for Use at the end of this leaflet for complete information on how to use COPAXONE.Your doctor will tell you how much COPAXONE to use and when to use it. COPAXONE is given by injection under your skin (subcutaneously). Use COPAXONE exactly as your doctor tells you to use it. Since every body type is different, talk with your doctor about the injection areas that are best for you. You should receive your first dose of COPAXONE with doctor or nurse present. This might be at your doctors office or with visiting home health nurse who will teach you how to give your COPAXONE injections.COPAXONE can be given using prefilled syringe or an optional autoinjector that your healthcare provider may prescribe separately for use with COPAXONE. If you use an autoinjector to give COPAXONE:Check with your healthcare provider when you fill or refill your medicine. Make sure the autoinjector you have is the right one for your COPAXONE. Not all optional autoinjectors can be used with all glatiramer acetate products. If you use the wrong autoinjector, you might not get enough medicine from your dose.Read your autoinjector Instructions for Use and talk to your healthcare provider about the best way for you to use COPAXONE.What are the possible side effects of COPAXONECOPAXONE may cause serious side effects, including:Immediate Post-Injection Reactions. Serious side effects may happen right after or within minutes after you inject COPAXONE at any time during your course of treatment. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these immediate post-injection reaction symptoms including:redness to your cheeks or other parts of the body (flushing)chest painfast heart beatanxietybreathing problems or tightness in your throatswelling, rash, hives, or itching If you have symptoms of an immediate post-injection reaction, do not give yourself more injections until doctor tells you to.Chest Pain. You can have chest pain as part of an immediate post-injection reaction or by itself. This type of chest pain usually lasts few minutes and can begin around month after you start using COPAXONE. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain while using COPAXONE.Damage to your skin. Damage to the fatty tissue just under your skins surface (lipoatrophy) and, rarely, death of your skin tissue (necrosis) can happen when you use COPAXONE. Damage to the fatty tissue under your skin can cause dent at the injection site that may not go away. You can reduce your chance of developing these problems by:following your doctors instructions for how to use COPAXONE choosing different injection area each time you use COPAXONE. See Step in the Instructions for Use, Choose your injection area. Liver problems. Liver problems, including liver failure, can occur with COPAXONE. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms, such as:nausealoss of appetitetiredness dark colored urine and pale stoolsyellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyebleeding more easily than normalconfusionsleepiness The most common side effects of COPAXONE include:skin problems at your injection site including:rednesspainswellingitchinglumps rashshortness of breathflushing (vasodilation)Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.These are not all the possible side effects of COPAXONE. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. How should store COPAXONEStore COPAXONE in the refrigerator between 36F to 46F (2C to 8C).When you are not able to refrigerate COPAXONE, you may store it for up to month at room temperature between 59F to 86F (15C to 30C). Protect COPAXONE from light or high temperature.Do not freeze COPAXONE syringes. If syringe freezes, throw it away in sharps disposal container. See Step 13 in the Instructions for Use, Dispose of your needles and syringes. Keep COPAXONE and all medicines out of the reach of children.General information about the safe and effective use of COPAXONE.Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in Patient Information Leaflet. Do not use COPAXONE for condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give COPAXONE to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you have. It may harm them.This Patient Information Leaflet summarizes the most important information about COPAXONE. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about COPAXONE that is written for health professionals.For more information, go to www.copaxone.com or call 1-800-887-8100.What are the ingredients in COPAXONEActive ingredient: glatiramer acetateInactive ingredients: mannitolCOPPL-006Revised: January 2022. Do not use COPAXONE if you are allergic to glatiramer acetate, mannitol or any of the ingredients in COPAXONE. See the end of this leaflet for complete list of the ingredients in COPAXONE.. are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COPAXONE will harm your unborn baby.. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if COPAXONE passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while using COPAXONE.. For detailed instructions, see the Instructions for Use at the end of this leaflet for complete information on how to use COPAXONE.. Your doctor will tell you how much COPAXONE to use and when to use it. COPAXONE is given by injection under your skin (subcutaneously). Use COPAXONE exactly as your doctor tells you to use it. Since every body type is different, talk with your doctor about the injection areas that are best for you. You should receive your first dose of COPAXONE with doctor or nurse present. This might be at your doctors office or with visiting home health nurse who will teach you how to give your COPAXONE injections.. COPAXONE can be given using prefilled syringe or an optional autoinjector that your healthcare provider may prescribe separately for use with COPAXONE. Check with your healthcare provider when you fill or refill your medicine. Make sure the autoinjector you have is the right one for your COPAXONE. Not all optional autoinjectors can be used with all glatiramer acetate products. If you use the wrong autoinjector, you might not get enough medicine from your dose.. Read your autoinjector Instructions for Use and talk to your healthcare provider about the best way for you to use COPAXONE.. Immediate Post-Injection Reactions. Serious side effects may happen right after or within minutes after you inject COPAXONE at any time during your course of treatment. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these immediate post-injection reaction symptoms including:redness to your cheeks or other parts of the body (flushing)chest painfast heart beatanxietybreathing problems or tightness in your throatswelling, rash, hives, or itching redness to your cheeks or other parts of the body (flushing). chest pain. fast heart beat. anxiety. breathing problems or tightness in your throat. swelling, rash, hives, or itching. Chest Pain. You can have chest pain as part of an immediate post-injection reaction or by itself. This type of chest pain usually lasts few minutes and can begin around month after you start using COPAXONE. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain while using COPAXONE.. Damage to your skin. Damage to the fatty tissue just under your skins surface (lipoatrophy) and, rarely, death of your skin tissue (necrosis) can happen when you use COPAXONE. Damage to the fatty tissue under your skin can cause dent at the injection site that may not go away. You can reduce your chance of developing these problems by:following your doctors instructions for how to use COPAXONE choosing different injection area each time you use COPAXONE. See Step in the Instructions for Use, Choose your injection area. following your doctors instructions for how to use COPAXONE choosing different injection area each time you use COPAXONE. See Step in the Instructions for Use, Choose your injection area.. Liver problems. Liver problems, including liver failure, can occur with COPAXONE. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms, such as:nausealoss of appetitetiredness dark colored urine and pale stoolsyellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyebleeding more easily than normalconfusionsleepiness nausea. loss of appetite. tiredness dark colored urine and pale stools. yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eye. bleeding more easily than normal. confusion. sleepiness. skin problems at your injection site including:rednesspainswellingitchinglumps redness. pain. swelling. itching. lumps rash. shortness of breath. flushing (vasodilation). Store COPAXONE in the refrigerator between 36F to 46F (2C to 8C).. When you are not able to refrigerate COPAXONE, you may store it for up to month at room temperature between 59F to 86F (15C to 30C). Protect COPAXONE from light or high temperature.. Do not freeze COPAXONE syringes. If syringe freezes, throw it away in sharps disposal container. See Step 13 in the Instructions for Use, Dispose of your needles and syringes.

SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION.

2.1 Recommended Dose. COPAXONE is for subcutaneous use only using the prefilled syringe or an optional injection device [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Do not administer intravenously. The dosing schedule depends on the product strength that is selected. The recommended doses are:COPAXONE 20 mg per mL: administer once per dayor COPAXONE 40 mg per mL: administer three times per week and at least 48 hours apartCOPAXONE 20 mg per mL and COPAXONE 40 mg per mL are not interchangeable.. COPAXONE 20 mg per mL: administer once per dayor COPAXONE 40 mg per mL: administer three times per week and at least 48 hours apart.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS SECTION.

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS. 8.1 Pregnancy. Risk SummaryAvailable human data on the use of COPAXONE in pregnant women are not sufficient to support conclusions about drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. Administration of glatiramer acetate by subcutaneous injection to pregnant rats and rabbits resulted in no adverse effects on embryofetal or offspring development (see Data). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.DataHuman DataThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies of COPAXONE in pregnant women. The available postmarketing reports, case series, and small cohort studies do not provide sufficient information to support conclusions about drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. Animal DataIn rats or rabbits receiving glatiramer acetate by subcutaneous injection during the period of organogenesis, no adverse effects on embryofetal development were observed at doses up to 37.5 mg/kg/day (18 and 36 times, respectively, the therapeutic human dose of 20 mg/day on mg/m2 basis). In rats receiving subcutaneous glatiramer acetate at doses of up to 36 mg/kg from day 15 of pregnancy throughout lactation, no significant effects on delivery or on offspring growth and development were observed.. 8.2 Lactation. Risk SummaryThere are no data on the presence of glatiramer acetate in human milk, the effects on breastfed infants, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mothers clinical need for COPAXONE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from COPAXONE or from the underlying maternal condition.. 8.4 Pediatric Use. The safety and effectiveness of COPAXONE have not been established in patients under 18 years of age.. 8.5 Geriatric Use. COPAXONE has not been studied in elderly patients.. 8.6 Use in Patients with Impaired Renal Function. The pharmacokinetics of glatiramer acetate in patients with impaired renal function have not been determined.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS SECTION.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Immediate Post-Injection Reaction (flushing, chest pain, palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, dyspnea, throat constriction, and/or urticaria), may occur within seconds to minutes after injection and are generally transient and self-limiting (5.1)Chest pain, usually transient (5.2) Lipoatrophy and skin necrosis may occur. Instruct patients in proper injection technique and to rotate injection sites (5.3)COPAXONE can modify immune response (5.4)Hepatic Injury: if signs or symptoms of hepatic dysfunction occur, consider discontinuing COPAXONE (5.5). Immediate Post-Injection Reaction (flushing, chest pain, palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, dyspnea, throat constriction, and/or urticaria), may occur within seconds to minutes after injection and are generally transient and self-limiting (5.1). Chest pain, usually transient (5.2) Lipoatrophy and skin necrosis may occur. Instruct patients in proper injection technique and to rotate injection sites (5.3). COPAXONE can modify immune response (5.4). Hepatic Injury: if signs or symptoms of hepatic dysfunction occur, consider discontinuing COPAXONE (5.5). 5.1 Immediate Post-Injection Reaction. Approximately 16% of patients exposed to COPAXONE 20 mg per mL in the placebo-controlled trials compared to 4% of those on placebo, and approximately 2% of patients exposed to COPAXONE 40 mg per mL in placebo-controlled trial compared to none on placebo, experienced constellation of symptoms that may occur immediately (within seconds to minutes, with the majority of symptoms observed within hour) after injection and included at least two of the following: flushing, chest pain, palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, dyspnea, constriction of the throat, and urticaria. In general, these symptoms have their onset several months after the initiation of treatment, although they may occur earlier, and given patient may experience one or several episodes of these symptoms. Whether or not any of these symptoms actually represent specific syndrome is uncertain. Typically, the symptoms were transient and self-limited and did not require treatment; however, there have been reports of patients with similar symptoms who received emergency medical care. Whether an immunologic or nonimmunologic mechanism mediates these episodes, or whether several similar episodes seen in given patient have identical mechanisms, is unknown.. 5.2 Chest Pain. Approximately 13% of COPAXONE 20 mg per mL patients in the placebo-controlled studies compared to 6% of placebo patients, and approximately 2% of patients exposed to COPAXONE 40 mg per mL in placebo-controlled trial compared to 1% of placebo patients, experienced at least one episode of transient chest pain. While some of these episodes occurred in the context of the Immediate Post-Injection Reaction described above, many did not. The temporal relationship of this chest pain to an injection was not always known. The pain was usually transient, often unassociated with other symptoms, and appeared to have no clinical sequelae. Some patients experienced more than one such episode, and episodes usually began at least month after the initiation of treatment. The pathogenesis of this symptom is unknown.. 5.3 Lipoatrophy and Skin Necrosis. At injection sites, localized lipoatrophy and, rarely, injection site skin necrosis may occur. Lipoatrophy occurred in approximately 2% of patients exposed to COPAXONE 20 mg per mL in the placebo-controlled trials compared to none on placebo, and 0.5% of patients exposed to COPAXONE 40 mg per mL in single placebo-controlled trial and none on placebo. Skin necrosis has only been observed in the postmarketing setting. Lipoatrophy may occur at various times after treatment onset (sometimes after several months) and is thought to be permanent. There is no known therapy for lipoatrophy. To assist in possibly minimizing these events, the patient should be advised to follow proper injection technique and to rotate injection sites with each injection.. 5.4 Potential Effects on Immune Response. Because COPAXONE can modify immune response, it may interfere with immune functions. For example, treatment with COPAXONE may interfere with the recognition of foreign antigens in way that would undermine the bodys tumor surveillance and its defenses against infection. There is no evidence that COPAXONE does this, but there has not been systematic evaluation of this risk. Because COPAXONE is an antigenic material, it is possible that its use may lead to the induction of host responses that are untoward, but systematic surveillance for these effects has not been undertaken.Although COPAXONE is intended to minimize the autoimmune response to myelin, there is the possibility that continued alteration of cellular immunity due to chronic treatment with COPAXONE may result in untoward effects. Glatiramer acetate-reactive antibodies are formed in most patients receiving glatiramer acetate. Studies in both the rat and monkey have suggested that immune complexes are deposited in the renal glomeruli. Furthermore, in controlled trial of 125 RRMS patients given COPAXONE 20 mg per mL, subcutaneously every day for years, serum IgG levels reached at least times baseline values in 80% of patients by months of initiation of treatment. By 12 months of treatment, however, 30% of patients still had IgG levels at least times baseline values, and 90% had levels above baseline by 12 months. The antibodies are exclusively of the IgG subtype and predominantly of the IgG-1 subtype. No IgE type antibodies could be detected in any of the 94 sera tested; nevertheless, anaphylaxis can be associated with the administration of most any foreign substance, and therefore, this risk cannot be excluded.. 5.5 Hepatic Injury. Cases of hepatic injury, some severe, including liver failure and hepatitis with jaundice, have been reported with COPAXONE. Hepatic injury has occurred from days to years after initiating treatment with COPAXONE. If signs or symptoms of liver dysfunction occur, consider discontinuation of COPAXONE.