abatacept Health Article

Generic name(s):

abatacept

Brand name(s):

Orencia

What is the most important information I should know about abatacept?

Before receiving abatacept, tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis or any other breathing disorder, or if you have any type of infection. Before you receive this medication, your doctor may require you to have a skin test to make sure you do not have tuberculosis.

It may be easier for you to get sick or have infections while you are receiving abatacept. Avoid being near people who are sick. Tell your doctor if you have a wound that will not heal.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to abatacept, or if you are also using anakinra (Kinaret), etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), or infliximab (Remicade).

Vaccines or flu shots may not work as well if you receive them during your treatment with abatacept.

Tell your doctor at once if you develop any type of infection, including flu symptoms, or if you have wheezing, coughing, or other breathing problems.

Some people receiving abatacept have developed certain types of cancer. However, it is not known whether abatacept causes cancer. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk of developing cancer.

What is abatacept?

Abatacept is a man-made protein that prevents your body's immune system from attacking healthy tissues such as joints.

Abatacept is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, to slow the progression of joint damage, and to improve physical function.

Abatacept is usually given after other arthritis medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms. Abatacept is sometimes given together with other arthritis medications.

Abatacept may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving abatacept?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to abatacept, or if you are also using any of the following other medications:

• anakinra (Kineret);

• etanercept (Enbrel);

• infliximab (Remicade); or

• adalimumab (Humira).

If you are switching to abatacept from one of the medications listed above, watch for new signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding, or unusual weakness. If you develop any of these symptoms, call your doctor.

Before receiving abatacept, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of tuberculosis;

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD);

• any type of infection such as the flu or an infected skin wound; or

• a history of infections that come and go.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use abatacept or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Before you receive abatacept, your doctor may require you to have a skin test to make sure you do not have tuberculosis.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether abatacept passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

A few people who have received abatacept have developed cancer, but it is not known if abatacept causes cancer. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk of developing cancer.