Abatacept
Description
Abatacept is used alone or in combination with other medicines to reduce signs and symptoms of moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response with other medicines. It is also used to reduce signs and symptoms of moderate to severely active juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Abatacept
- Headache
- Back pain
- Cough
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Stuffy nose
- Troubled breathing
- Blurred vision
- Skin rash
- Chest pain
- Swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
- Stomach pain
Uses of Abatacept
What is it prescribed for?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required by this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to abatacept or any other inactive ingredients present along with this medicine.
Active infections
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who have an active infection or at risk of sepsis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition
General warnings
Use in Children
The primary ingredient of Abatacept can be administered both subcutaneously and as an intravenous infusion. The safety and efficacy of subcutaneous administration of this medicine are not clinically established in children below 2 years of age. The safety and efficacy of intravenous administration of this medicine are not clinically established in children below 6 years of age.
Serious infections
Use of this medicine may affect the immune system making you susceptible to opportunistic infections from a wide variety of pathogens. It is advised to not use this medicine during an active infection. Use of this medicine should be discontinued after consulting the doctor if a serious infection develops.
Other medicines
Abatacept may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
This medicine may reduce the therapeutic effects of the vaccine. Your doctor may advise you to postpone administration of either the vaccine or the medicine, based on your clinical condition, to avoid their interaction.
Malignancies
Use of this medicine may cause malignancy or reactivation of a previously treated malignancy. Hence it should be used with caution and frequent clinical monitoring should be performed especially for children, adolescents, and young adults.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause dizziness or blurring of vision in some patients. Hence, it is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you experience any such symptoms.
Missed Dose
If you miss a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Etanercept
Infliximab
Tofacitinib
Denosumab
Ocrelizumab
Disease interactions
Hepatitis B
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of hepatitis B infection since it causes reactivation of the infection. It is recommended to monitor patients with evidence of current or prior hepatitis B infection for signs and symptoms of reactivation. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) due to the risk of serious adverse effects. Close monitoring, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Tuberculosis
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients who have previously been treated for latent or active tuberculosis due to the increased risk of reactivation of the disease. Anti-tuberculosis therapy should be initiated prior to therapy with this medicine if an active infection is confirmed. Appropriate tests should be conducted for the presence of latent tuberculosis in patients.
Infections
Use of this medicine may cause serious and life-threatening infections. Hence, treatment with this medicine should be initiated with extreme caution in patients with a history of recurrent infections, chronic, latent, or localized infections due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. While receiving this medicine, any signs and symptoms of an infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, diarrhea, etc. should be reported to the doctor immediately. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine blocks the actions of an immune cell type called T-cells that are responsible for the swelling and joint damage.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antirheumatics, Selective immunosuppressants
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Rheumatology.org. 2018 [cited 4 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Orencia.com. 2018 [cited 4 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 9 January 2019]. Available from:
Orencia 250 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 19 February 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 19 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.