title: Tolerability, adverse events and compliance to glatiramer acetate in 28 patients with multiple sclerosis using the drug continuously for at least six months.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess tolerability, adverse events and compliance to treatment with glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of patient records and individual interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  30 individuals residing in the coastal region of the State of São Paulo who had been in use of glatiramer acetate for at least 6 months were identified. From this group, 28 individuals came to regular consultations and were individually assessed, their complaints being noted down in confidential records. Ten patients reported systemic reactions to the drug. Four of them stopped the medication due to such reactions. Eight patients reported local reactions to the injections. Compliance with injections was achieved, although three patients reported forgetting the injection on a few days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We noticed a higher level of systemic adverse events in our patients than in reports in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health for the State of São Paulo, DIR XIX, CEREM Litoral Paulista.
authors.forename: Ana Patricia Perez
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Yara Dadalti
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Fragoso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010455:Peptides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate