abatacept Health Article

How is abatacept given?

Abatacept is given as an injection into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional will give you this medicine through an IV needle. Abatacept is given slowly and it will take at least 30 minutes for you to receive the entire dose.

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

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

In most cases, this medicine is given every 2 weeks for the first month, and then every 4 weeks after that.

You may need to use other medicines with abatacept to treat your arthritis. Follow your doctors instructions about all medications you are using.

Abatacept can cause unusual results with certain blood glucose tests used by diabetics. If you check your blood sugar on the day of your abatacept injection, your results may show a "false-positive" rise in blood glucose. Ask your doctor about the most reliable glucose testing methods to use while you are being treated with abatacept.

Abatacept can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using abatacept. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your abatacept injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an abatacept overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while receiving abatacept?

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

You should not receive any vaccinations, including flu shots, while you are receiving abatacept. Vaccines may not work as well if you receive them during your treatment with abatacept.

What are the possible side effects of abatacept?

Some people receiving an abatacept injection have had a reaction to the infusion (within 1 hour of when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, itchy, light-headed, or numb, or if you have a severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, chest tightness, or trouble breathing. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• night sweats, weight loss;

• a wound that won't heal;

• burning or pain when you urinate;

• feeling faint or light-headed;

• wheezing, cough, or other breathing problems;

• skin rash, itching, or flushing (redness or warmth); or

• shingles (herpes zoster).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• headache;

• runny or stuffy nose, sore throat;

• nausea; or

• dizziness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.