What is Abatacept?

Abatacept is a man-made protein that prevents your body’s immune system from attacking healthy tissues such as joints. The immune system helps your body fight infections. In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakes the body’s own cells for invaders and attacks them.

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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Abatacept?

You should not use abatacept if you are allergic to it, or if you are also using anakinra (Kineret), etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), or infliximab (Remicade).

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.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• 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

FDA pregnancy category B. Abatacept is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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.

Abatacept can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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

What are the possible side effects of Abatacept?

Some people receiving an abatacept injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, light-headed, itchy, or have a severe headache or trouble breathing within 1 hour after receiving the injection.

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, sweating, chills, tired feeling
• feeling short of breath
• dry cough, sore throat; or
• flu symptoms, weight loss

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

• trouble breathing
• easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, unusual weakness
• pain or burning when you urinate; or
• signs of skin infection such as itching, swelling, warmth, redness, or oozing

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough
• nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, indigestion; or
• back pain

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Abatacept Interactions

What other drugs affect Abatacept?

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.

What should I avoid while taking Abatacept?

Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are being treated with abatacept, and for at least 3 months after your treatment ends. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Gu

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Abatacept Dosage

How should I take Abatacept?

Before you start treatment with abatacept, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.

Abatacept is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV 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, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Abatacept must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take at least 30 minutes to complete. This medication is usually given every 2 to 4 weeks. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

You will 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.

Each single-use vial (bottle) 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. 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.

Do not shake the medication bottle or you may ruin the medicine. Vigorous shaking can ruin the medicine. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or appears cloudy. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

What happens if I overdose on Abatacept?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What happens if I miss a dose of Abatacept?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss your abatacept dose.

Sourced from everydayhealth.com