Compare Avonex vs. Copaxone
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers the frequency of multiple sclerosis exacerbations.
Avonex (Interferon Beta-1A) is an injectable medicine effective for relapsing, remitting MS and has manageable side effects and weekly dosing.
●●●●●
2.7/ 5 average rating with 33 reviewsforAvonex
Lowers the frequency of multiple sclerosis exacerbations.
Copaxone (Glatiramer) is an injectable medicine that's effective for relapsing, remitting MS. It has fewer side effects than other meds, but the self-injections are needed frequently.
●●●●●
3.2/ 5 average rating with 30 reviewsforCopaxone
Upsides
- One of the main treatments for relapsing MS that has been around for many years.
- Injections are given weekly, and not daily like other MS medications.
- Helps reduce the frequency of MS relapse episodes.
- Flu-like reactions are the most common side effects and usually go away with continued treatment or can be avoided by using over-the-counter pain and fever-reducing medicines before the injection (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen).
- One of the main treatments for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) that has been around for many years.
- Helps reduce the frequency of MS relapse episodes.
- Fewer side effects than other injectable MS medicines, like interferons.
- Can be helpful in maintaining nerve functions.
- Likely safe to use during pregnancy.
- Copaxone (Glatiramer) is a possible treatment for primary-progressive MS (PPMS) even though the clinical evidence is not conclusive (there are currently no approved treatments for PPMS).
Downsides
- Injection site reactions are common, ranging from localized pain, redness, and swelling to severe skin dryness.
- Flu-like symptoms are common after interferon injections.
- It's not clear what type of problems occur if taken during pregnancy.
- Blood testing is required before and during use of Avonex (Interferon Beta-1A).
- May not be as effective as other interferons.
- Requires injections, either day or every other day (but no more than three times a week), depending on the dose you're taking.
- Injection site reactions are common with pain, redness, swelling, and lipoatrophy (loss of fat under the skin where the injection is made).
- Doesn't stop the progression of MS.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Injection
- Injection
Price
Lowest price
$7237.63
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$1953.29
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
33 reviews so far
36%
saidit'sworth it
24%
saiditworked well
33%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Avonex (Interferon Beta-1A)?
Leave a review30 reviews so far
50%
saidit'sworth it
37%
saiditworked well
27%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Copaxone (Glatiramer)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
29possible side effects
- Headache57%
- Flu-like symptoms49%
- Myalgia28%
- Asthenia24%
- Pain23%
- Nausea23%
- Fever20%
- Chills19%
- Depression18%
- Urinary tract infection17%
- Dizziness14%
- Upper respiratory tract infection14%
- Sinusitis14%
- Arthralgia9%
- Abdominal pain8%
- Injection site pain8%
- Bronchitis8%
- Infection7%
- Injuction site inflammation6%
- Injection site ecchymosis6%
- Chest pain5%
- Migraine5%
- Alopecia4%
- Eye disorder4%
- Anemia4%
- Injection site reaction3%
- Toothache3%
- Urine constituents abnormal3%
- Vasodilation2%
The Copaxone (Glatiramer) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- History of depression or mental illness
- Serious allergic reaction
- Allergy to albumin
- Prolonged use of Avonex (Interferon Beta-1A)
- Liver damage
- Alcohol use
- Taking drugs that are liver toxic
- History of liver disease
- Injection site reaction
- Heart problems
- History of heart disease
- Immune reactions
- Albumin in the product
- Seizures
- History of seizures
- Risk to fetus
- Women of childbearing age
- Bone marrow suppression
- Injection reaction
- Skin damage
- Chest pain
- Immunosuppression
- Risk to fetus