I opened a new box of Copaxone a couple of days ago. I am always aware of a new batch, and have been shooting this stuff for a year. I normally shoot, and within a few minutes it burns. I push hard and it stops in a minute. This batch STINGS really badly DURING the injection. After the injection. It keeps stinging for an hour. I was shocked at how badly it stung. I called Shared Solutions and reported the batch, and asked for all the needles to be replaced.


LOT NUMBER 538676 EXP 10/2009


Just a heads up if any of you have this batch number.

Anyone else get that intense sting WHILE injecting? It was surprising at how intense the sting was. I have a fresh months supply at the ready, so I am always good to go. They were very nice, and will send a new supply in 48 hours.

Whew! I need a nap. I am not a whiner, so this was big for me.

Sure hope you don't have that happen again, Dej. I can't imagine. Beta doesn't sting, as you know, so dunno what to say... seems Copaxone doesn't want to agree with you

I'm sorry it hurt, pumkin

So not what you needed right now!! I hope the new batch is better.

are you using the autoject, or injecting manually?

I've been having problems with getting dull needles, and that was the big reason I switched to manual injections. (dull needles really hurt when getting forced into the skin by an autoject)

I really hate the dull needles. I need to give myself a shot now, I forgot last night. (been doing that a lot lately)

I have been a manual injector for some time now. it made a huge difference in the lumps/stings. The AI is so violent. I would never be able to go back to it.

I didnt have the IPIR. I just had the bad sting and mind blowing hour dance of wimpers.

My dad gave me my injections over the weekend. (giving the other sites a break, dad does the ones I cant reach)

The needle on friday was soooo dull! It hurt so bad when started the injection. Like he just shoved a pencil into my arm. I about jerked away (didnt, that would have hurt more)

The next night, didnt even feel the needle go in. When I get painful injections tho, I always look at the needle, and it looked dull. The one from the painless injection had a nice sharp looking point on it.

There are times that I want to change to a new drug, just because Teva seems to have problems with the quality control on their needles.

thanks for the heads up Dej mine expires in november diff lot number

What a MESS! I got SS to call and replace the copaxone with OTN pharmacy. It took them DAYS to get the RX that my MD faxed into them the FIRST day.

I was expecting the shipment on Friday morn. I have a crazy FEDEX dude. He rings the doorbell, and turns to go back to his truck. When I tell him I have MS and dont RUN to the door, he tells me how busy he is. You MUST sign for a replacement batch, so I am on high alert ALL Day. I called in the AM to be sure of delivery. The pharmacy sez yep, by noon.

noon came and went. at 4 I called the pharmacy who looks up the package to say OH, its an afternoon delivery, and can be into the eve. Grrrrr...high alert all afternoon.

7:45 I call the pharmacy back, only to be put on hold for 10 min. A customer care specialist comes back on the line to tell me that my meds are held up in the MIAMI airport. They came from Texas! why did they go to Miami?? Anyway, I asked the 64k question. Are they being kept cool? or are they sitting on a HOT plane in Miami? No one can answer it. I say, I take care pains to keep my meds COOL! if you cannot tell me my meds are being cared for, then REPLACE THEM. They wont talk about replacement till I get the meds and MAYBE if they are hot on arrival will they discuss it.

They MAY be here on Saturday, or MAY not be here till Monday. Grrrr...now I am getting steamed. NO customer care can help me get answers till at least Monday as all supervisors are off for the weekend. Grrr.....

Saturday late morning I get a very nice woman from FedEx. Apologizes for the delay, and ALLOWS me to open the box before signing for it. The ice pads are spent, but the box inside is still cool. She tells me they normally stock meds in the AC section of the cargo hold. Her truck is AC and now one can tell me if they were for sure kept cold, or if they are now cool because they were in her cold truck.

Shared Solutions calls on Monday LATE day, to ask if I got the meds. Well DUH, like I dont know she called to check delivery confirmation before she called me. I explain the story to her, and she said that only I can decide if I want to keep or replace those meds. Since no one can assure me that they were kept cold during delivery, and can be held at BELOW 80 degrees for up to 30 days...blah blah blah....

long story short (too late now) I agreed to keep the drugs. Since they were so cool on the inside. I dont believe her AC truck could have penetrated all the insulated layers of packaging. the box outside was warmer than the inside coolness. So, I kept them.

WHAT A MESS! This is the third time I have had issues with OTN pharmacy and they way they ship things.

Ever have a day that makes you wanna scream?

I thought refrigeration wasn't such a big deal with Copaxone any more?

"How do I properly store my COPAXONE® therapy?

Keep your monthly supply of COPAXONE® Pre-Filled Syringes refrigerated between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC-8ºC). COPAXONE® Pre-Filled Syringes may be stored at room temperature between 59ºF and 86ºF (15ºC-30ºC) for up to one month. You’ll want to transport your COPAXONE® in a thermal travel bag to protect it from extreme temperatures, which may cause overheating or freezing.

Never administer COPAXONE® if it gets too hot, becomes frozen, or appears cloudy. If these conditions should occur, do not use your COPAXONE® Pre-Filled Syringes and dispose of them in a proper container. When you aren’t injecting, store COPAXONE® Pre-Filled Syringes in a place that’s protected from light.

As a general rule, we recommend that you keep your COPAXONE® in the refrigerator as part of your regular routine, but the one-month storage time offers you added flexibility during travel or special circumstances."

Or do you not have prefilled syringes?

http://www.copaxone.com/FAQ/copaxFAQs.aspx#hci

Cherie

Yikes! I hope I dont have the same problem later this week. My C froze on friday/saturday when our power went out from a bad storm, and the ice packs that I kept in freezer section of my little mini-fridge froze everything.

I just called SS and they're going to see if they can replace the box. I had only just opened that box last week, only used one layer of syringes out of it before it froze.

At least my skin is getting a nice little break from the daily stab until I get the new box.