Compare Avonex vs. Copaxone
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers the frequency of multiple sclerosis flares and delays disabilty.
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) helps manage multiple sclerosis by reducing flare ups and increasing periods of remission in between, but it may not work for all people.
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2.7/ 5 average rating with 33 reviewsforAvonex
Reduces clinical episodes of multiple sclerosis.
Copaxone (glatiramer) is safer than interferons at reducing multiple sclerosis episodes.
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3.2/ 5 average rating with 30 reviewsforCopaxone
Upsides
- Avonex (interferon beta-1a) decreased MS exacerbations and delayed progression.
- Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is a first-choice treatment for relapsing MS.
- Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is safer and provides more convenient dosing (once a week) than some alternative injectable medicines.
- Copaxone (glatiramer) does not cause fatigue and flu-like symptoms unlike interferons.
- Copaxone (glatiramer) is relatively safe compared to injectable medicines that are associated with serious side-effects for multiple sclerosis.
Downsides
- Generic is not available, so Avonex (interferon beta-1a) can be expensive.
- Only available as an injection.
- Can worsen heart function and depression.
- Injections are given 3 times per week, which may not be comfortable for some people.
- Not as effective as other injectable medicines for multiple sclerosis.
- Available as a generic version, but may still be expensive.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Injection
- Injection
Price
Lowest price
$6864.89
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$1953.29
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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%
- Muscle pain28%
- Weakness24%
- Pain23%
- Nausea23%
- Fever20%
- Chills19%
- Depression18%
- Bladder infection17%
- Dizziness14%
- Nose or throat infection14%
- Sinus infection14%
- Joint pain9%
- Stomach pain8%
- Injection site pain8%
- Bronchitis8%
- Infection7%
- Injection site inflammation6%
- Injection site bruising6%
- Chest pain5%
- Migraine5%
- Hair loss4%
- Eye disorder4%
- Low iron4%
- Injection site reaction3%
- Toothache3%
- Abnormal components in urine3%
- Dilation of blood vessels2%
53possible side effects
- Redness at injection site43%
- Pain at injection site40%
- Infection30%
- Itching at injection site27%
- Lump at injection site26%
- Weakness22%
- Pain20%
- Dilation of blood vessels20%
- Swelling at injection site19%
- Rash19%
- Nausea15%
- Flu14%
- Shortness of breath14%
- Chest pain13%
- Anxiety13%
- Back Pain12%
- Heart palpitations9%
- Inflammation at injection site9%
- Swelling8%
- Injection site reaction8%
- Swollen lymph nodes7%
- Vomiting7%
- Stuffy nose7%
- Exessive sweating7%
- Fever6%
- Inflammation of the airways6%
- Stomach flu6%
- Cough6%
- Racing heart5%
- Increased urination5%
- Itching5%
- Injection site allergy4%
- Vaginal yeast infection4%
- Tremor4%
- Migraine4%
- Eye movement disorder3%
- Double vision3%
- Local reaction3%
- Chills3%
- Face swelling3%
- Swelling of the limbs3%
- Allergic reaction3%
- Weight gain3%
- Fainting or lightheadedness3%
- Hives3%
- Skin irritation3%
- Pain with swallowing2%
- Injection site tissue hardening2%
- Injection site tissue wasting2%
- Non-cancerous skin tumor2%
- Speech problems2%
- Nervousness2%
- Vocal cords spasm2%
Risks and risk factors
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- History of depression or mental illness
- Liver damage
- Alcohol use
- Taking other medicines that cause liver injury
- History of liver disease
- Risk of worsening heart function
- History of heart failure
- Injection site reaction
- Seizures
- History of seizures
- Low blood counts
- Injection reaction
- Skin damage
- Weakened immune system