What Is Abatacept?
Abatacept is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and to prevent joint damage caused by these conditions. It is also used to treat arthritis in children who are at least 6 years old.
Abatacept is not a cure for any autoimmune disorder and will only treat the symptoms of your condition.
Abatacept may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use abatacept if you are allergic to it, or if you are also using anakinra (Kineret), etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), natalizumab (Tysabri), rituximab (Rituxan), or tocilizumab (Actemra).
Before using abatacept, tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.
Also tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system, any type of infection (including skin infection or open sores), COPD, diabetes, a history of hepatitis, or if you have scheduled to receive any vaccinations.
Children using this medication should be current on all childhood immunizations before starting treatment with abatacept.
Serious infections may occur during treatment with abatacept. Contact your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, dry cough, sore throat, night sweats, tired feeling, weight loss, or painful warmth or redness of your skin.
Using abatacept may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer such as lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes). This risk may be greater in older adults. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk.
You should not use abatacept if you are allergic to it, or if you are also using anakinra (Kineret), etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), natalizumab (Tysabri), rituximab (Rituxan), or tocilizumab (Actemra).
Before using abatacept, tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.
To make sure you can safely use abatacept, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- a weak immune system;
- any type of infection including a skin infection or open sores;
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
- diabetes;
- if you have ever had hepatitis; or
- if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of abatacept on the baby.
It is not known whether abatacept passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using abatacept.
Children using this medication should be current on all childhood immunizations before starting treatment with abatacept.
Using abatacept may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer such as lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes). This risk may be greater in older adults. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk.
Abatacept Side Effects
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.
Serious infections may occur during treatment with abatacept. Stop using abatacept and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:
- fever, chills, night sweats, flu symptoms, weight loss;
- feeling very tired;
- dry cough, sore throat; or
- warmth, pain, or redness of your skin.
- trouble breathing;
- stabbing chest pain, wheezing, cough with yellow or green mucus;
- pain or burning when you urinate; or
- signs of skin infection such as itching, swelling, warmth, redness, or oozing.
- nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, indigestion; or
- headache, dizziness;
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough;
- back pain.
Abatacept Interactions
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
There may be other drugs that can interact with abatacept. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Abatacept Dosage
Abatacept is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, syringes, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
Abatacept must be given slowly when infected into a vein, and the IV infusion can take at least 30 minutes to complete.
This medication is usually given every 1 to 4 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions.
You may need to mix abatacept with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.
Do not shake the medication bottle or you may ruin the medicine. Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Each single-use vial (bottle) or prefilled syringe of this medicine is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.
Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using abatacept.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using abatacept. Visit your doctor regularly.
This medication can cause false results with certain blood glucose tests, showing high blood sugar readings. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about the best way to check your blood sugar while you are using abatacept.
Autoimmune disorders are often treated with a combination of different drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.
Store this medication in the refrigerator. Do not freeze and protect from light. Keep the medicine in original carton to protect it from light. Do not use abatacept if the expiration date on the medicine label has passed.
Abatacept that has been mixed with a diluent may be stored in a refrigerator or at room temperature and used within 24 hours.
Seek emergency medical attention
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss your abatacept dose.
