Get Informed: Abatacept
Active Ingredient(s)
Abatacept
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of moderate to sever rheumatoid arthritis. It works by inhibiting the immune response.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-18 1:41 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-18 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Orencia
- Abatacept
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- N/A
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 23 Dec 2005
- Est US Patients*
- 44,600
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Abatacept or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Abatacept
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Abatacept during the past year.
Abatacept Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Abatacept interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Abatacept used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 290 patients that use Abatacept (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 94% | 
|
| Other | 6% | 
|
How well does Abatacept work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 290 users taking Abatacept (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 76%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Abatacept outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Abatacept.
Common Side Effects of Abatacept
iGuard regularly polls our more than 290 users taking Abatacept (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
36% of patients experience side-effects on Abatacept
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Abatacept
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Headache
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
High Blood Pressure
-
Itch/Rash
-
Weakness
-
Dizziness
-
Fatigue
-
Diarrhea
-
Dryness
-
Increased Infections
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Abatacept ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
My husband has been on orencia for 2 months for Rheumatoid arthrites. How long befor he sees any improvement? Other meds for RA have not helped.
79 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-28 21:06:11
iGuard Answer/Reply:
In some cases, it can take up to 6 months to see results, and sometimes Orencia needs to be combined with another drug. Make sure to keep appointments with the doctor, so he/she can monitor your husband's progress.
Posted: 2010-02-07 10:02:02
Question/Comment:
I have been getting Abatacept infusions for 2 years. It has been my "miracle" drug. Within 48 hours of my first infusion, I could ride my bicycle!! I hadn't been able to do that for 10 years! I've not had any side effects.
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-02-07 20:26:51
iGuard Answer/Reply:
I was getting humira shots for 8 months along with methotrezate, but had a nervous order
reaction to this drug that caused demyalation, it was dicontinued in 2004. I waited for abatacept and have been getting it since its onset. I do very well, work two jobs and do everything a 20 year can do. no side affects, I still take methetrzate and a vicodin when needed.
I am a female about 60 and very active
Posted: 2008-10-23 15:05:35
Answer/Reply:
Thank you so much! It is so hard to switch meds and this gives me hope!
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-16 19:14:52
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
5
Patient Comments about
Abatacept