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Overview: Orencia is used to treat certain types of arthritis or a problem that can happen after a bone marrow transplant. Orencia can increase the risk of infections, including serious ones. Call your health care provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection, such as a fever, cough, or sore throat. Orencia is given as an injection under the skin or by a health care provider as an infusion into a vein.

Uses

What is Orencia used for?

Orencia is commonly used for the following conditions.

Orencia may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Orencia work (mechanism of action)?

Orencia works by blocking a signal that activates certain immune cells. By blocking the activation of these cells, it prevents them from attacking healthy tissues. This helps reduce joint swelling and damage in people with certain types of arthritis. It also helps stop immune cells from causing inflammation and tissue damage in people who have acute graft versus host disease after a bone marrow transplant.

How is Orencia supplied (dosage forms)?

Orencia is available as an intravenous (IV) injection that is given by a health care provider. It is also available as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection in the following forms that you or a caregiver may administer.

  • 50 mg/0.4 mL, 87.5 mg/0.7 mL, 125 mg/mL single-dose prefilled syringe
  • 125 mg/mL single-dose autoinjector

How should I store Orencia?

Prefilled Syringes and Autoinjectors. Orencia prefilled syringes and autoinjectors should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Do not freeze Orencia. Protect Orencia from light by keeping it in the original container until you are ready to use it.

Injection Liquid. Orencia injection is usually prepared and given by health care providers in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Orencia?

The most common side effects of Orencia are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Sore throat or common cold symptoms
  • Nausea
  • Low levels of red blood cells (anemia)
  • Infections (see below)
  • Fever
  • Nosebleeds
  • High blood pressure
  • Low levels of white blood cells
  • Kidney problems

There may be other side effects of Orencia that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Orencia?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Orencia are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Orencia may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Orencia and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Infections. Orencia can reduce your ability to fight off infections. This can increase your risk of serious infections, such as pneumonia. This risk may be higher in people using certain other medicines that suppress, or weaken, your immune system. Call your health care provider right away if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.

  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Burning or stinging when you pee 
  • Confusion
  • Weight loss
  • Skin problems such as a painful rash or sores
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Cancer. Orencia can lower the activity of your immune system, which may increase the risk of cancer, such as skin cancer. Tell your health care provider about any new symptoms that you may get.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Orencia?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Orencia.

  • Abatacept
  • Orencia
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Orencia.

What should I know about Orencia before using it?

Do not use Orencia unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Orencia with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Orencia out of the reach of children. Since this medicine should be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

This medicine can be injected under the skin. If you are using it at home, make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly prepare, use, and dispose of Orencia. Read the Instructions for Use that comes with your medicine. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

Keep all appointments, including those for blood tests, before and after starting Orencia.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Orencia?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Orencia is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Orencia may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Orencia, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Diabetes. When Orencia is given as an infusion into a vein, it may cause falsely high blood sugar readings with some monitors. Ask your health care provider for a blood glucose monitor that works accurately with Orencia. This issue does not happen when Orencia is given as an injection under the skin.

Vaccines. Talk with your health care provider about any vaccines that you may need. You should not receive certain vaccines right before, during, and for three months after treatment with Orencia. Tell your health care provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Infections. Some types of germs that cause infections, such as bacteria or viruses, can remain inactive in the body for a long time after you recover from that infection. Using Orencia may increase the risk of a past infection becoming active again. Before you start treatment with Orencia, tell your health care provider about past infections you have had, such as tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B, cytomegalovirus, or Epstein-Barr virus. Also tell your health care provider if you have had a positive skin test for TB or possible symptoms of TB, such as cough, fever, or night sweats.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • A lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • An active infection, such as the flu or an open sore, or an infection that keeps coming back
  • Skin cancer, or someone in your family with skin cancer
  • Upcoming surgery
  • Live with or had close contact with someone who has tuberculosis
  • HIV

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Orencia could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you got Orencia during pregnancy, tell your health care provider before your baby gets any vaccines.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Orencia passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Orencia?

For more information about Orencia, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.orencia.com or call them at 800-673-6242.

Interactions

Does Orencia interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Orencia and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Orencia, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections. Infections are a common side effect of Orencia. See the Side Effects section for more details. 

Does Orencia interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

 In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Orencia.

  • A tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker, such as adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi), or infliximab (Remicade), which are medicines that are used for certain types of arthritis and other conditions
  • Anakinra (Kineret), tocilizumab (Actemra), or rituximab (Rituxan), which are medicines used for rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Orencia. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Orencia?

If you or someone else has used too much Orencia, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Orencia?

Missing doses of Orencia can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses. 

Prefilled Syringes and Autoinjectors. If you use this medicine at home and miss a dose, call your health care provider right away about what to do. Do not use double or extra doses.

Vials. If you miss an appointment to get your Orencia dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.