Abatacept is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), and it decelerates the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. DMARDs are also referred to as immunosuppressants, or slow-acting antirheumatic drugs (SAARDs).
Abatacept is consumed alone or in combination with other DMARDs like methotrexate sodium. However, abatacept is not to be consumed in combination with the following additional DMARDs: adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel) anakinra (Kineret), and infliximab (Remicade).
Why Orencia (Abatacept) is Used
Abatacept is authorized for use in patients with slightly moderate to serious rheumatoid arthritis who haven't been availed by one or more other drugs.
Abatacept alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in patients who haven't been cured by other drugs. It slows down the advancement of joint injury caused by rheumatism. Research has also demonstrated that after abatacept therapy, patients had enhanced bodily functions.
Since abatacept is a protein that's infused into the vein, the body might have a chemical reaction to the injection. A patient can be prescribed Tylenol and Benadryl prior to injections to prevent shivers and dizziness. However, a few patients can't adjust to the injection and cannot withstand the dosage.
While an injection could be irritating, frightening, and possibly severe, the effects may be addressed and reversed quickly. At the time of the injection, you could have an injection response, like:
- Body aches.
- Shivers.
- Confusion.
- Vomiting.
- Breathlessness.
Risk of Infection from Orencia (Abatacept)
Abatacept can at times lessen the function of the body's immune mechanisms, which exacerbates the risk of a severe bacterial situation. Some patients who use abatacept can acquire an infection that calls for oral antibiotic drugs; a handful of patients can acquire an infectious condition that demands intravenous antibiotic drug and hospital care. Consult your physician if you acquire any of the following:
- Life-threatening abdominal pain or diarrhea
- A burning, painful skin rash in the form of a stripe (shingles)
- Irritating, widespread oral cavity sores
Abatacept can reactivate TB (tuberculosis) in patients who have already been previously infected with tuberculosis. Before commencing Abatacept therapy, you need to be assessed with a tuberculin test and a chest scan. If the skin test is positive or the if chest scan indicates former exposure to tuberculosis, you'll need therapy to counteract any active tuberculosis.
Patients with arthritis have somewhat of a greater risk of acquiring cancer of the lymph organs, called lymphoma, than patients without arthritis. But lymphoma is uncommon even for patients with arthritis. Experts don't really know why this risk is greater for patients with arthritis arthritis-it may be because the illness is serious or since of the drugs used to address it. Speak with your physician about the risks and benefits of DMARD treatment.
Abatacept shouldn't be consumed by pregnant females or female patients of childbearing years who are not practicing reliable types of birth prevention. If you are trying to take Abatacept, you need to get on some form of dependable contraception. If you wish to get pregnant, check with your physician prior to quitting birth prevention and attempting to get pregnant.
Speak to your physician before using Abatacept if you're breast-feeding a newborn since Abatacept may go into breast milk. Speak to your physician if you also suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Abatacept may produce more side effects in patients with COPD.
Abatacept is administered by injection into a vein (intravenously). An IV is introduced into your upper arm and the drug is passed very slowly. An infusion takes approximately half-hour.
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References:
"Abatacept (Orencia) for rheumatoid arthritis." (2006). Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics. 48 (1229); 17-18.
Emery, P. “Abatacept has beneficial effects in rheumatoid arthritis patients…” Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2005 Nov-Dec: 23 (6): 767-768.
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