This severe reaction can occur at any time during treatment, including months or years after starting the drug, according to a Jan. 22 news release from the agency.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis typically develop within an hour of injection and can include wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat and hives. In some cases, the reaction can lead to hospitalization or death.
While the immediate post-injection reaction is common among patients using glatiramer acetate, anaphylaxis is much rarer but more severe. The FDA urges both patients and healthcare professionals to be aware of these symptoms and to act quickly if they appear.
