Abatacept solution for injection (subcutaneous or intravenous use)

What is this medicine?

ABATACEPT (a ba TA sept) is used to treat moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis in adults. This medicine is also used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein or for injection under the skin. Infusions are given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting. If you are to give your own medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine under the skin. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or health care provider to get one.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While infusions in a clinic may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• chest pain

• dizziness

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever; chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• headache

• nausea

• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected

• stomach pain or upset

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• live vaccines

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• anakinra

• baricitinib

• canakinumab

• medicines that lower your chance of fighting an infection

• rituximab

• TNF blockers such as adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab

• tocilizumab

• tofacitinib

• upadacitinib

• ustekinumab

What if I miss a dose?

This medicine is used once a week if given by injection under the skin. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

If you are to be given an infusion of this medicine, it is important not to miss your dose. Doses are usually every 4 weeks. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Infusions will be given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Storage for syringes and autoinjectors stored at home:

Keep out of the reach of children. Store in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the original container. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not shake. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• cancer

• diabetes

• hepatitis B or history of hepatitis B infection

• immune system problems

• infection or history of infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• lung or breathing problems, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• recently received or scheduled to receive a vaccination

• scheduled to have surgery

• tuberculosis, a positive skin test for tuberculosis, or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tuberculosis

• an unusual or allergic reaction to abatacept, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You will be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before you start this medicine. If your doctor prescribed any medicine for TB, you should start taking the TB medicine before starting this medicine. Make sure to finish the full course of TB medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your doctor or health care professional if you get fever, chills, or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

If you have diabetes and are getting this medicine in a vein, the infusion can give false high blood sugar readings on the day of your dose. This may happen if you use certain types of blood glucose tests. Your health care provider may tell you to use a different way to monitor your blood sugar levels.