Abatacept
About Abatacept
Abatacept is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe autoimmune joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It works by calming an overactive immune system to help reduce swelling, pain, and joint damage. This medicine helps manage symptoms so you can move more comfortably.
To get the best results, you must use it consistently and exactly as your healthcare provider schedules it, whether as a weekly under-the-skin injection or a monthly clinic visit. Because this is an injection, it does not matter if you take it with or without food. Combining this treatment with regular gentle exercise and a balanced diet can further support your joint health.
While using this medicine, you might experience common side effects like headaches, cold-like symptoms, or mild nausea. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice serious signs such as a fever, persistent cough, severe breathing problems, or a sudden allergic reaction.
Before starting it, tell your doctor if you have a history of chronic infections, tuberculosis, hepatitis, or lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Do not take this medicine if you currently have a serious, active infection, as it can lower your body's ability to fight off illnesses.
It is important to discuss all other medicines you take, as combining Abatacept with other biological joint treatments can greatly increase your risk of severe infections. You should also consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an elderly patient, as these groups may require closer monitoring or specialised advice.
Uses of Abatacept
Medicinal Benefits
It offers physical relief and long-term joint protection. By targeting the underlying cause of autoimmune swelling, it helps you regain control over your daily activities.
- Slowing Joint Damage: It helps stop the progression of joint destruction, preserving your bone and cartilage over time.
- Pain and Stiffness Relief: It reduces chronic morning stiffness and deep joint pain, allowing for smoother, easier movement.
- Improved Daily Function: By decreasing pain and swelling, it makes everyday physical tasks—like walking, climbing stairs, or holding objects—much easier to manage.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Abatacept will be administered by a trained healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Abatacept
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Headache
- Common cold symptoms, such as a sore throat, runny nose, or sinus pressure
- Mild nausea or upset stomach
- Dizziness
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Fever, chills, persistent sore throat, or deep cough (signs of infection)
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing (severe allergic reactions)
- Worsening shortness of breath or a new, persistent cough (especially if you have lung disease)
- Unusual skin changes, lumps, or swollen lymph glands
Drug Warnings
- Check the liquid first: Before injecting, always inspect the liquid inside the syringe. It should be clear to pale yellow; do not use it if you see cloudiness or clumps.
- Rotate your injection sites: Choose a different spot (thigh, stomach, or arm) for each injection to help prevent skin soreness and hardening of tissue.
- Never reuse needles: Use a brand-new, sterile syringe for every single injection to prevent infections and skin damage.
- Screen for infections first: Ensure your doctor tests you for tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis B before starting treatment, as this medicine can cause hidden infections to reactivate.
- Avoid live vaccines: Do not receive live vaccines (such as yellow fever or MMR) while taking this medicine and for at least three months after your last dose.
- Monitor for fevers: Since this medicine lowers your body's immune defences, contact your doctor immediately if you develop a fever or any other signs of an active infection.
Drug Interactions
- Other biologic medicines: Taking it alongside other biological drugs used for joint inflammation (such as TNF blockers) can significantly increase your risk of developing serious infections.
- JAK inhibitors: Combining these therapies can overly suppress your immune system and increase the likelihood of severe infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Abatacept as alcohol intake may cause increased dizziness and risk of stomach bleeding/ulcers.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Abatacept. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and harm your infant. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Abatacept. Your doctor may suggest you stop feeding while on treatment with this medicine.
Driving
unsafeAbatacept may make you feel dizzy and sleepy. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness or drowsiness.
Liver
cautionAbatacept should be used with caution if you have liver disease. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. However, Abatacept is not recommended in patients with active liver diseases.
Kidney
cautionAbatacept should be used with caution if you have kidney impairment. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment.
Children
unsafeAbatacept is not recommended in children below six years of age as safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: Focus on foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, such as olive oil, fish, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, to help naturally support your joints.
- Incorporate low-impact exercise: Activities like swimming, water aerobics, cycling, or walking can keep your joints flexible and muscles strong without putting excess stress on them.
- Protect your joints: Use assistive tools, such as jar openers or ergonomic pens, to minimise daily strain on your smaller joints.
- Practice strict infection prevention: Wash your hands frequently, avoid close contact with people who are actively sick, and speak to your doctor about staying up-to-date on necessary, non-live vaccines.
Special Advise
- It is advised to closely monitor the patient for infections like active tuberculosis during and after the treatment though the patient gets a negative tuberculin test.
- It is essential to inform your doctor if you have any active viral, bacterial, and fungal infections before starting Abatacept.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an auto-immune disease wherein the body's immune system attacks its tissue, which causes joint pain and damage. It occurs when the immune system does not work properly. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, deformities and loss of joint function.
FAQs
Abatacept is used to treat Rheumatoid arthritis and Juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Abatacept consists of Abatacept, which belongs to TNF (Tumor necrosis factor) inhibitor class of drugs. It works by inhibiting the TNF-α and TNF-β binding to the cell surface thereby making the TNF cytokine inactive. This helps reduce inflammation and pain caused by various autoimmune diseases.
Abatacept affects your immune system and makes you more susceptible to infections. Hence, it is not recommended in people with active infections like tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or abnormal liver enzymes. Abatacept can also increase the risk of developing cancers; hence, mentioning your doctor if you have a history of any cancer is essential.
No, Abatacept is not a biologic/ monoclonal antibody. It is an immunosuppressant medication that helps reduce the signs and symptoms of autoimmune disorders. It primarily belongs to a class of drugs called immunomodulators and is commonly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
The side effects of Abatacept include nausea, headache, cough, fever, sore throat, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infections, tingling or numbness, dizziness, shortness of breath, pale skin, redness on the skin and arms, and injection site reactions. Consult the doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
Yes, you can receive the yearly flu shot as long as it is the inactive (injectable) form. However, you must avoid the nasal spray flu vaccine, as it is a live vaccine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before getting any vaccine.
If your medicine has been left out of the refrigerator, do not use it or throw it away immediately. Contact your pharmacist right away with details on how long and at what temperature it was left out to find out if it is still safe to use.
The safety of medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not fully known. You should discuss the risks and benefits thoroughly with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
You might feel a mild pinch or sting during the injection, which is normal. Letting the medicine sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before injecting and rotating your injection sites can help reduce discomfort. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the pain persists.
There is no direct drug interaction between alcohol and Abatacept. However, both alcohol and chronic joint conditions can affect your overall health, so it is best to drink in moderation. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what is safe for you.
This medicine dampens your immune system, which can allow a hidden infection like tuberculosis (TB) to become active again. Your doctor will perform a skin or blood test for TB before your first dose to make sure it is safe to start. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about this test.
Wash any minor cut immediately with soap and water and keep it clean and covered. Because this medicine can make it harder to fight infections, watch the area closely and talk to your doctor if you notice redness, warmth, swelling, or pus.
