What supplies do I need before giving Glatiramer Acetate Injection?

Before giving Glatiramer Acetate Injection, gather a prefilled syringe with the needle attached, an alcohol wipe, a dry cotton ball, a sharps disposal container, and a way to record your injection sites.

What should I do after removing the blister pack from the carton?

Keep unused syringes refrigerated, place your supplies on a clean, well-lit surface, allow the syringe to reach room temperature for approximately 20 minutes, and wash your hands before preparing the injection.

How do I check the prefilled syringe before using it?

Small air bubbles may be present and do not need to be removed. Before use, inspect the solution to ensure it is clear and colorless or slightly yellow. Do not use the syringe if the solution is cloudy or contains particles.

Where can I inject Glatiramer Acetate Injection?

Glatiramer Acetate Injection may be administered into the back of the upper arms, the back of the hips, the front of the thighs, or the abdomen. Avoid injecting within 2 inches of the belly button and rotate injection sites regularly.

What should I do before giving the injection?

Choose an appropriate injection area, avoid skin that is scarred or damaged, clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe, and allow the area to air-dry before administering the injection.

How do I use the prefilled syringe?

Remove the syringe from the blister pack, clean the injection site, remove the needle cap, pinch a fold of skin, insert the needle at a 90-degree angle, slowly push down the plunger to inject the medicine, and then remove the needle straight out.

What should I do after the injection?

Apply a dry cotton ball to the injection site for a few seconds if needed. Do not rub the injection site and do not reuse the syringe or needle.

How do I dispose of used syringes and needles?

Place used needles and syringes immediately into an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. If one is not available, use a heavy-duty household container that is puncture-resistant, leak-resistant, and fitted with a secure lid.

How should I store Glatiramer Acetate Injection?

Store prefilled syringes in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). If refrigeration is not available, the product may be stored at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C) for up to one month. Protect it from light and do not freeze it.

Can I travel with Glatiramer Acetate Injection?

Yes. Glatiramer Acetate Injection may travel with you. Carry enough supplies for your trip, store the product appropriately, and follow local travel requirements when transporting prescription medicines and sharps.

Injection Support

With features designed by patients, for patients

Viatris developed the WhisperJECT^® Autoinjector for use with Glatiramer Acetate and with other FDA-approved drug products with non-viscous (aqueous) liquid formulations, which are presented in a 1.0 mL BD^®, prefilled, glass syringe with staked needle, containing a fixed needle of 27G to 29G.¹

WhisperJECT^® is available by prescription only.

Click to see Instructions for Use.

WhisperJECT Autoinjector device highlights the large viewing window, textured handle, and needle cap remover.

Glatiramer Acetate Injection is available in 2 dose strengths

20 mg/mL

For once-daily injection

40 mg/mL

For 3-times-a-week injection

For complete directions:

For instructions on injecting Glatiramer Acetate Injection, please see the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, Patient Information Leaflet, and Instructions for Use for Glatiramer Acetate Injection 20 mg/mL or Glatiramer Acetate Injection 40 mg/mL.

If you have been prescribed the WhisperJECT Autoinjector device, please also see the WhisperJECT Autoinjector device Instructions for Use.

WhisperJECT Autoinjector travel kit - close WhisperJECT Autoinjector travel kit - outer carton

Tips for Traveling

With Viatris' Glatiramer

Acetate Injection

Glatiramer Acetate Injection can travel with you. The WhisperJECT Autoinjector device comes in its own sturdy traveling case.

While refrigeration is preferred, Glatiramer Acetate Injection may be kept at room temperature (59–86°F or 15–30°C) for up to 1 month when refrigeration may not be available.

Make sure to bring enough supplies with you. Pack more syringes than you need, in case of emergencies or a change in plans. And be sure to pack enough cotton balls and alcohol wipes for the number of days you’ll be away.² You might also want to use tight-locking plastic storage bags to make sure all your supplies are sealed properly.³

If you’re traveling by plane, keep your syringes and WhisperJECT Autoinjector device in your carry-on luggage, so they’re easily available during inspection and to maintain appropriate temperature storage ranges.⁴

Before you leave home, check current regulations on traveling with prescription medications at the Transportation Security Administration website, tsa.gov. Also check local regulations and guidelines regarding proper disposal of sharps.

Gather the supplies you will need.

1 blister pack with a Glatiramer Acetate Injection prefilled syringe with needle attached.
Alcohol wipe (not supplied).
Dry cotton ball (not supplied).
A place to record your injections, like a notebook.
Sharps disposal container (not supplied).

Remove one blister pack from the Glatiramer Acetate Injection prefilled syringe carton.

Keep all unused syringes in the carton and store them in the refrigerator.
Place the supplies you will need on a clean, flat surface in a well-lit area.
Let the blister pack with the syringe inside warm up to room temperature for about 20 minutes.
Wash your hands. Be careful not to touch your face or hair after washing your hands.

Look closely at your Glatiramer Acetate Injection prefilled syringe.

There may be small air bubbles in the syringe. Do not try to push the air bubbles from the syringe before giving your injection so you do not lose any medicine.
Check the liquid medicine in the syringe before you give your injection. It should look clear and colorless or slightly yellow. If it is cloudy or contains any particles, do not use the syringe. Throw it away in a sharps disposal container.

Choose your injection area. Talk with your doctor about the injection areas that are best for you.

The possible injection areas on your body include:
- Back of upper right or left arm (fleshy area)
- Back of upper right or left hip (below waist)
- Front of right or left thigh (2 inches above knee and 2 inches below groin)
- Abdomen (stomach area; avoid 2 inches around the belly button)

For each dose, pick a different injection area from one of the areas listed in the image.
Glatiramer Acetate Injection is for under the skin (subcutaneous) injection only; do not inject into your veins (intravenously).
Do not stick the needle in the same place (site) more than once a week. Each injection area contains multiple injection sites for you to choose from. Avoid injecting in the same site over and over again.
Keep a record of your injection sites, so you know where you have injected.

Back of Upper Right Arm (fleshy area) Back of Upper Left Arm (fleshy area) Back of Upper Right Hip (below waist) Back of Upper Left Hip (below waist) Abdomen* Front of Right Thigh** Front of Left Thigh** *Stomach area; avoid 2 inches around the belly button **2 inches above knee and 2 inches below groin.

Prepare to give your injection.

There are some injection areas on your body that are hard to reach (like the back of your arm). You may need help from someone who has been instructed on how to give your injection in these areas.
Do not inject in sites where the skin has scarring or "dents," because it may make your skin worse.

Clean the injection site.

Clean the injection site using the alcohol wipe and allow your skin to air-dry.

How to Use

Using the prefilled syringe.

Remove the syringe from its protective blister pack by peeling back the paper label.

Choose an injection site on your body. Clean the injection site with a new alcohol wipe and let the site air-dry.

Pick up the syringe with one hand and hold it like a pencil. Remove the needle cap with your other hand.

Pinch about a 2-inch fold of skin between your thumb and index finger.

Rest the heel of your hand holding the syringe against your skin at the injection site. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle straight into your skin. When the needle is all the way in, release the fold of skin.

To inject the medicine, hold the syringe steady and slowly push down on the plunger.

When you have injected all of the medicine, pull the needle straight out.

Press a dry cotton ball on the injection site for a few seconds. Do not rub the injection site or reuse the needle or syringe.

Disposal & Storage

Disposing of the syringe.

Put the used needles and syringes in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use.

Do not dispose of loose needles and syringes in household trash.

If you do not have an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that:

Is made of heavy-duty plastic
Can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid
Is upright and stable during use
Is leak-resistant
Is properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside

When the sharps container is almost full, follow the community guidelines and dispose of the container properly. For more information about regulations, visit the FDA website.

Do not dispose of your used sharps container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.

The WhisperJECT device should be replaced after two years. Please contact VIATRIS ADVOCATE to receive a replacement device within two years of date of receipt.

Storing Glatiramer Acetate Injection.

Keep the carton of pre-filled syringes in the refrigerator at 36–46°F (2–8°C). Keep Glatiramer Acetate Injection out of the reach of children.

When you are not able to refrigerate Glatiramer Acetate Injection, you may store it for up to 1 month at room temperature (59–86°F or 15–30°C).

Protect Glatiramer Acetate Injection from light and high temperatures.

Do not freeze Glatiramer Acetate Injection. If a syringe freezes, throw it away in a sharps disposal container.