Orencia

Orencia is a medication that is used for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Generally, it is prescribed for people whose conditions have not improved with other rheumatoid arthritis medicines. Orencia is given through an IV and is administered every two weeks for the first three doses and once every four weeks thereafter. Possible side effects of the drug include cough, dizziness, infections, and headache.

 

What Is Orencia?

Orencia® (abatacept) is a prescription medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. In particular, it is approved to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in people who have not adequately responded to other rheumatoid arthritis medications.
 
(Click Orencia Uses for more information on what Orencia is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Orencia?

Orencia is made by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
 

How Does Orencia Work?

Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be caused by an overactive immune system that attacks the body's own healthy tissues. Many rheumatoid arthritis treatments work by suppressing the immune system, preventing the body from attacking itself.
 
Orencia works by inhibiting T cells. T cells are a type of white blood cell (leukocytes) that play an important role in the immune system. Orencia seems to prevent T cells from being active and multiplying too much.
 

Orencia Effects

Orencia has been evaluated for rheumatoid arthritis in several different studies. In these studies, the drug Orencia was given to people who had unsuccessfully tried various other rheumatoid arthritis medications. In these studies, people who took Orencia had fewer tender or swollen joints and were better able to perform their usual daily activities (such as walking, eating, or dressing), compared to people who did not take Orencia. The medication also slowed the structural damage to the joints.
 
Because Orencia targets a specific part of the immune system, it is called a "biological response modifier" because it changes (modifies) the body's immune response. It is also known as a "biologic" medication because it is made out of parts of cells or proteins.
 

When and How to Take Orencia

General considerations for when and how to take Orencia include the following:
 
  • Orencia is taken by IV. The first three Orencia doses are given every two weeks; after that, they are given once every four weeks.
     
  • You will probably receive your Orencia IV at your healthcare provider's office or at an infusion center. The IV takes about 30 minutes, but the entire process usually lasts awhile longer, due to paperwork, waiting, and preparation for the IV.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Orencia will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Orencia Dosing Information

The dose of Orencia that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your weight
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your Orencia dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Orencia Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Orencia

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Orencia. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of Orencia include, but are not limited to:
 
(Click Orencia Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With Orencia

Orencia can potentially interact with a few other medicines (see Orencia Drug Interactions).
 

Orencia: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Orencia if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Test your blood sugar regularly (usually for diabetes).
     
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Orencia Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose of Orencia?

An Orencia overdose is unlikely, since the drug is given through IV by your healthcare provider. In studies, doses of about five times the recommended Orencia dosage did not cause any problems (other than the usual side effects of Orencia).
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Orencia?

If you do not receive an Orencia dose as scheduled, call your healthcare provider to set up an appointment to receive your dose as soon as possible.
 

Orencia Strengths

Orencia comes in vials containing 250 mg of Orencia powder. It must be prepared and mixed into an IV by your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
 

Is There a Generic Version of Orencia?

Currently, there is no generic version of Orencia licensed for sale (see Generic Orencia).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;