Abatacept (By injection)
a-BAT-a-sept
Treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults and moderate to severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children 6 years of age or older.
Drug classes
Antirheumatic, Immune Modulator (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Abatacept injection is used alone or together with other medicines to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Abatacept helps keep joint damage from getting worse after other medicines have been used and did not work well.
Abatacept injection is also used in children 6 years of age and older for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a vein.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
Do not use the medicine if the liquid in the prefilled syringe has changed color, or if you see particles in it.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Missed dose: Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. Throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how abatacept works. Tell your doctor if you are taking adalimumab, anakinra, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, rituximab, or tocilizumab.
This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to abatacept.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have cancer, diabetes, breathing or lung problems (such as COPD), any infection (such as the flu), hepatitis B, tuberculosis (TB), or are scheduled to have surgery.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis Decreased ability to fight infection Changes in blood sugar levelsYou will need a skin test for TB before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a TB skin test.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, tiredness, and body aches
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Weight loss
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain
Pain, itching, burning, redness, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot is given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Orencia
There may be other brand names for this medicine.