Drug Factsheets

Orencia

In this factsheet:
• How does Orencia work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use Orencia?
• What form(s) does Orencia come in?
• Who should NOT take Orencia?
• What side effects are possible with Orencia?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for Orencia?
• What other drugs could interact with Orencia?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

How does Orencia work? What will it do for me?

Abatacept belongs to a group of medications called selective co-stimulation modulators. It is used to treat:

• Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis that has not responded to treatment with one or more medications belonging to the class of medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or with the class of medications known as tumour necrosis factor antagonists (TNF-a).
• Moderate to severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in children age 6 years and older who have not responded to treatment with DMARDs.

For people with rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks normal tissues in the joints causing pain, inflammation, and damage. Abatacept works by "turning down" parts of the body's immune system that are believed to be involved in these conditions and by keeping the immune system from attacking normal tissues.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop receiving this medication without consulting your doctor.

How should I use Orencia?

The recommended dose of abatacept varies according to body weight. It is injected intravenously (into a vein) by a health care professional, usually in a clinical setting such as a hospital clinic.

Depending on your dose, most adults will receive between 2 and 4 vials of abatacept per infusion. Children may receive fewer vials of abatacept per infusion, depending on their weight. The appropriate dose is usually given once every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses, and then once every 4 weeks thereafter.

It is important to receive this medication exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive abatacept, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Many things can affect the dose and schedule of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Your doctor may choose a schedule different from the one above.

This medication is stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C, protected from light, and kept from freezing.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does Orencia come in?

Each vial of sterile powder contains abatacept 250 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: maltose, sodium chloride, and sodium phosphate monobasic.

Who should NOT take Orencia?

Abatacept should not be used by anyone who:

• is allergic to abatacept or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• has or is at risk of sepsis syndrome (an infection that spreads through your body), such as people with weakened immune systems and people with HIV

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