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 this medication if you are allergic to abatacept, 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 to
safely use this medication:
-
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.
Your name may need to be listed on a pregnancy registry if you become pregnant while using
this medication. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and delivery to
evaluate whether abatacept had any effect 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.
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 given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or
other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to use your medicine at
home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and
properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used in giving the medicine.
Abatacept must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and 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 the vial after one
use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.
Use each disposable needle only one time. 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 to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using
abatacept.
If you have chronic hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms while using abatacept and even
months after you stop using it. Your doctor may want to check your liver function at regular visits for
up to several months after you stop using abatacept. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
This medication can cause you to have false results with certain blood glucose monitors,
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. To best treat
your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication
guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or
medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
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 mixed 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 miss a dose of abatacept?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss your abatacept dose.
Where can I get more information about abatacept?
Your pharmacist has information about abatacept written for health professionals that you may read.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about abatacept?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to abatacept, 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.
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, cough, sweating, tired feeling, or if you feel short of
breath.
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.
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 live vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may
not fully protect you from disease. Also avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently
received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines
include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette
and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
What other drugs will affect abatacept?
There may be other drugs that can interact with abatacept. Tell your doctor about all your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of abatacept?