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Development of Crohn's disease in a patient with multiple sclerosis treated with copaxone

Gideon Charach1, Itamar Grosskopf, Moshe Weintraub

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine C, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. drcharach@012.net.il

Digestion
|July 9, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) may cause Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, in multiple sclerosis patients. This potential adverse effect warrants clinical awareness for early detection and management.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) is a disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • It functions by mimicking myelin basic protein and modulating immune responses, including suppressing tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
  • Copaxone is generally well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile in MS patients.

Observation:

  • A case study of a multiple sclerosis patient in remission is presented.
  • The patient had been receiving Copaxone 20 mg/day for two years without prior gastrointestinal issues.
  • The patient developed new-onset gastrointestinal symptoms.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • The Crohn's disease onset was temporally associated with long-term glatiramer acetate treatment.
  • This suggests a potential causal link between Copaxone and the development of IBD.

Implications:

  • Crohn's disease may represent a novel adverse drug effect of glatiramer acetate.
  • Clinicians treating MS patients with Copaxone should monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms indicative of IBD.
  • Increased awareness can lead to earlier diagnosis and appropriate management of this potential side effect.

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