Abatacept, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: T-cell inhibitor

Generic and brand names: abatacept, injection; Orencia

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is used when other medicines for RA have not worked.

This medicine may be used alone or along with another medicine.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, kidney disease, or steroid medicine
• high blood pressure
• lung disease such as COPD
• tuberculosis (your healthcare provider may give you a skin test to check for this).

Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection such as the flu or an open cut or sore, or if you often have infections that come back. Also tell your healthcare provider if you are scheduled to have major surgery or any kind of vaccination.

Tell your provider if you take any other medicines for RA, especially anakinra (Kineret), etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), or infliximab (Remicade).

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These infusions are given by your healthcare provider. It will take about 30 minutes to give you the full dose of medicine.

You will be given additional doses 2 weeks, and then 4 weeks after the first dose. You will then get a dose every 4 weeks. Keep all your appointments for infusions.

What should I watch out for?

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop a fever or ANY other symptoms of infection. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

Your healthcare provider will check you regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.

It is possible that this medicine may increase your risk for certain kinds of cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect blood sugar test results on the day you receive the infusion. Talk to your healthcare provider before you change your diet or dosage of diabetes medicine. Your healthcare provider may recommend a different blood sugar monitor.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Cough, fever, unexplained sore throat, pain while urinating, painful rash, severe headache, stiff neck.

Other: Redness, swelling, or bruising around the injection site; headache; nausea; dizziness; runny nose; heartburn; back pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines.

• any medicines for rheumatoid arthritis, such as anakinra (Kineret), adalimumab (Humira), abatacept (Orencia), etanercept (Enbrel), and infliximab (Remicade)

Some vaccinations should not be given while you are receiving this medicine. Ask your healthcare provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.