Abatacept is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, and ankles) and psoriatic arthritis (joint pain and inflammation that affects individuals with psoriasis).
This medicine is also used on its own or together with other medicines to treat a certain type of arthritis (inflammation of the joints that causes pain, swelling and limited movement) called polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis that affects children and adolescents.
Abatacept is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen area).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you. If you or your caregiver had been given the proper training on the preparation and injection techniques of this medicine, you or your caregiver may do the administration.
Use Abatacept exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is available as a pre-filled syringe, pen, or auto-injector. Make sure you know how to use the specific device you have been given. If you have problems or do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Remember to rotate the injection sites. Do not inject into the same area all the time. New injection sites should be at least 1 inch away from the previous injection site. Do not inject near the navel (belly button). Do not administer into moles or areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, hard, or scarred.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the type and severity of your condition.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Abatacept.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
If you or a caregiver had been trained to administer this medicine and missed a dose within 3 days of the scheduled time, inject the missed dose as soon as you remember and return to your normal dosing schedule. If more than 3 days have passed since the scheduled dose, inform your doctor immediately.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you forgot to administer your dose.
Do not use Abatacept if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Alert your doctor if you have a severe or uncontrolled infection as Abatacept may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of infections that keep coming back
- any kind of infection, including long-term or site-specific infections
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a long-term lung disease that causes airflow obstruction making it hard to breathe)
It is important that you do not get pregnant while being treated with this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods during Abatacept therapy and for 14 weeks after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid breastfeeding during treatment with Abatacept and for 14 weeks after the last dose.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Abatacept to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. Do not receive any vaccinations without first asking your doctor.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Screening tests for TB (a lung infection known as tuberculosis) and hepatitis B infection (contagious liver infection caused by a virus that is spread through contact with infected blood or other body fluids) must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to use.
- Routine tests (e.g. skin examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of allergic reactions and infections may also be needed.
Abatacept may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhoea, back pain, cough, mouth ulcers, and tiredness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, or throat
- fever, chills or sweating, frequent sore throat, mouth sores, excessive phlegm production or a change in the colour of the phlegm, pain when passing urine; red, warm or painful skin or sores on the body
- skin growth or lump, changes in colour or size of a mole
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using other medicines that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis such as etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab.
Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during therapy and for 3 months after treatment with Abatacept. Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C.
Do not freeze Abatacept otherwise, it will no longer be effective and should not be used.
Keep the pre-filled syringe, pen or auto-injector in their original package to protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
Continue with Google