This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi all...

I have a quick question. Does Lipoatrophy always occur with using Copaxone? I know SS recomends rotating injecting sites, but does following their guidlines always prevent lipoatrophy from occuring or is it total luck? Any input would be very appreciated. thanks!

A few years ago, the University of Ottawa, (I think it was them) ran a study and discovered that about 45% (Again, I'm not totally sure of that number) ended up getting Lipoatrohphy from Copaxone use. They made the statement that this was by far much too high an incidence and Teva, the manufacturer, should be advising Copaxone users and providing them with more assistance in this area. Supposedly, when patients called Teva and told them of the problem, they got little more than a shrug of the shoulders!!

Some patients don't seem to have much of a problem and others end up with disfigured areas where they inject. Rotation in this situation doesn't seem to help all that much. I've read that this disfiguration doesn't go away much if at all.

I know that I reported this trial information on THsIsMs at the time so it's on this site somewhere.

Harry

It is not guaranteed that you'll have lipoatrophy. I read a study once where certain factors increased your risk of getting it. Light haired, fair skinned I remember being 2 of them to be at greater risk for it.

But certainly not everyone gets lipoatrophy from copax injections. I haven't looked at research in this area for a while, they may know more about risk factors now than they did when I was looking into it.

I was able to find the link to the original message I posted. Here it is and you can read more of what was written at that time.

http://www.thisisms.com/ftopict-391.html

Harry