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   DIR Return to: COPAXONE, GLATOPA (glatiramer acetate)
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       #Post#: 821--------------------------------------------------
       (CMSC) Patient experience and tolerance of new Copaxone dosing
   DIR By: agate
       Date: June 7, 2015, 1:57 pm
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       Presented at the CMSC conference May 29, 2015:
       --- Quote ---
       > Patient Experience and Tolerance of New Glatiramer Dosing
       >
       > Lynda R Hillman, DNP , MS Center of Excellence, West, VA Puget
       Sound Healthcare, Seattle, WA
       > Kathy Burgess, MD , Rehab Care Services, VA Puget Sound
       Healthcare, Seattle, WA
       > Wendy Miller, RN , Rehab Care Services, VA Puget Sound
       Healthcare, Seattle, WA
       >
       >
       >
       > Background:
       >
       > Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs)
       have enabled many patients to benefit from reduced relapses,
       slower disease progression, and fewer brain lesions than
       experienced by patients not on DMTs. The number of new DMT
       options, both oral and injection or intravenous, has expanded in
       recent years. This is welcome news for both providers and
       persons living with MS. However, even the most efficacious DMT
       will not help patients if adherence is problematic or
       intolerable due to DMT side effects. Clinical trials may not
       show the extent of tolerability problems with a new DMT -- only
       post-market experience shows the full array of adverse effects.
       >
       > We describe the experience and tolerance of a new form of
       glatiramer acetate in a populations of veterans with MS in
       Washington State. Glatiramer, a first-line DMT, was originally
       approved in a 20mg dose given by daily subcutaneous injection.
       In 2013, the FDA approved a 40mg dose of glatiramer which
       required only 3 subcutaneous injections per week -- a reduction
       of over 50% in injection frequency from the original 7 per week
       regimen. It was expected that patients with MS would welcome an
       option which required fewer injections, and find it
       well-tolerated.
       >
       > Objectives:
       >
       > 1) To understand and describe the patient experience of
       adherence to the 3 x week glatiramer.
       >
       > 2) To identify both positive and troublesome aspects of this
       DMT regimen, in order to intervene and manage problems which
       otherwise might cause patients to self-discontinue DMT.
       >
       > 3) To further analyze this patient-reported data for elements
       crucial to patient satisfaction and quality improvement.
       >
       > Findings will be used as we evaluate current and potential
       programs for ways to further improve care to veterans with MS.
       >
       > Methods:
       >
       > Chart reviews of veterans with MS taking glatiramer. May also
       include focus groups of these Veterans taking glatiramer.
       >
       > Results:
       >
       > Initial findings indicate approximately 25% of patients find
       the 40mg dose less tolerable than the 20mg dose. Increased
       injection-site reactions are reported. More concerning is the
       incidence, although small, of systemic reactions. Data
       collection continues through late April/early May 2015.
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