ABATACEPT

Drug’s Description

Abataceptis an injectable, synthetic, immune antisuppresant that used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.It belongs in a class of medications called selective costimulation modulators (immunomodulators) that works by blocking the activity of T-cells. T-cells are type of immune cell in the body that causes swelling and joint damage in people who have arthritis.

Uses

This drug is used toreduce the pain, swelling, difficulty with daily activities, and joint damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition, in which the body attacks its own joints causing pain, swelling, and loss of function. Abatacept can be used alone or in combination with other medicines.

Warnings

Do not use Abatacept if you are allergic to any ingredient in or if you are using anakinra, tocilizumab, or a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker (eg, etanercept).

If any of these apply to you, contact your doctor or health care provider right away.

Side Effects

Abataceptreduces the body’s ability to fight infection therefore existing infections may worsen or new ones may develop.

The most common side effects of abatacept are:

Headache
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Nausea

Other important side effects include infusion-related reactions such as:

Dizziness
Headache
Hypotension
Hypertension
Nausea
Wheezing
Rash
Shortness of Breath

Precautions

Precautions

Before using Abatacept, notify your doctor if:

You are allergic to Abatacept or any other medications.
You are taking or planning to take certain drugs like Anakinra (Kineret), Adalimumab (Humira), Etanercept (Enbrel),and Infliximab (Remicade). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
You are using any prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products.
You have an infection anywhere in the body, including infections that come and go, such as cold sores, and chronic infections that do not go away, or if you often get any type of infection such as bladder infections.
You have any of the following medical condition:
- Have or have ever had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD; a Group of Lung Diseases that Includes Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema)
- Any Disease that Affects Your Nervous System, Such as Multiple Sclerosis
- Any Disease that Affects Your Immune System, Such as Cancer, Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), or Severe Combined immunodeficiency Syndrome (SCID).
- Have or have ever had Tuberculosis (TB) or If You Have Been around someone who has or has had Tuberculosis.
You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using Abatacept.
You are having surgery, including dental surgery.
You have recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccines. You should not have any vaccinations while you are using abatacept or for 3 months after you stop using abatacept without talking to your doctor.

Interactions

Abatacept interacts with TNF antagonist (Enbrel, Humira and Remicade). It increases the occurrence of infections and provides no additional relief of symptoms.

Abatacept may reduce the effect of live vaccines. Live vaccines should not be given at the same time as abatacept or within three months of discontinuation of abatacept. Pediatric patients should receive all recommended immunizations prior to starting abatacept.

Overdose & Brands

Call emergency hotline in case of overdose or if the victim has serious condition like passing out or trouble breathing.

Available brands:

Adalimubab
Enbrel
Etanercept
Infliximab
Remicade