About abatacept
Selective T-cell costimulation modulator
Used for
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Usual adult dose
Rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis: 125 mg under the skin once weekly. May start without an intravenous loading dose.
Usual dose in children
Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: weight-based dosing under the skin once weekly; dosing depends on weight and age.
Common side effects
- Injection-site reactions
- Upper respiratory infections
- Headache
- Nausea
Important warnings
- Increases risk of serious infections; avoid starting during an active infection.
- Do not use with TNF blockers or other biologic arthritis medicines.
- Screen for tuberculosis and hepatitis B before treatment.
- Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment and for three months afterward.
Pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited; use only when the expected benefit justifies potential risk.
Breastfeeding
It is unknown whether abatacept passes into human milk; discuss benefits and risks with a healthcare professional.
Interactions
- TNF blockers: higher risk of serious infections.
- Other biologic immunosuppressants: infection risk may increase.
- Live vaccines: effectiveness and safety may be affected.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.