Multiple Sclerosis Patients Hit Hard After Using Triad Alcohol Prep Pad

Triad alcohol prep pads included in the medication Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) packaging used by patients with Multiple Sclerosis, is perhaps doing far more harm than good.  Rather than cleaning and sanitizing the injection site as per its intended use, it appears that the Triad alcohol prep pads are injecting bacteria into the patient’s body thereby causing extensive pain and outbreaks.

What is Copaxone

Copaxone  (Glatiramer Acetate) is used to reduce episodes of symptoms in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Glatiramer Acetate is in a class of medications called immunomodulators. It works by stopping the body from damaging its own nerve cells (myelin).  Glatiramer Acetate is sold as a solution and is injected into the fatty layer just under the skin (subcutaneously).  It is usually injected once a day.  The first dose of Glatiramer Acetateis adminisered by the patient’s doctor. Thereafter, it is the patient who injects himself daily. Glatiramer comes in prefilled syringes and each syringe contains enough medication for one injection.

How Does the Triad Alcohol Prep Pad Affect Copaxone Medication

Here is where the Triad product comes into play.  Before each injection, the patient should clean the area of his body where he is about to inject himself.  (You can inject the Glatiramer Acetate into seven parts of your body: either arm, thigh, or hip; and lower stomach.)    That “cleaning” that supposedly helps in the process,  the application of the swipe against the skin, is likely exposing the patient to a bacteria which is then pushed into the skin.

What Are Some of the Adverse Reactions that Patients With MS are Having After the Injection

While there are a variety of symptoms and pains that MS patients are experiencing, the more common symptoms we are finding include:  rashes, red spots, sores, intense internal pain/numbness at the injection site area and itching.

Should MS Patients Stop Taking Their Medication

No, do not stop with your medication.   Anyone who has MS and uses the Copaxone medication should NOT stop with their treatment.  You simply should stop using the Triad alcohol prep pad.  It is important to continue your daily injection routine. There are alternate alcohol pads available to clean the site prior to the injection. These alcohol swabs can be purchased at various pharmacies.

What Can You Do To Help