What is ORENCIA® (abatacept)?
ORENCIA® (abatacept) is a prescription medicine that reduces signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including those who have not been helped enough by other medicines for RA. ORENCIA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your ability to perform daily activities. In adults, ORENCIA may be used alone or with other RA treatments other than tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.
ORENCIA also reduces signs and symptoms in children and adolescents 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). ORENCIA may be used alone or with methotrexate (MTX).
What is THE ORENCIA® (abatacept) COPAY PROGRAM™?
Learn about THE ORENCIA® (abatacept) COPAY PROGRAM™, our program for new and existing ORENCIA patients with commercial insurance that pays for ORENCIA.
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Eligible patients pay the out-of-pocket cost up front for each infusion.
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The program will credit you the full out-of-pocket drug cost minus $5 for each infusion up to $8,000 per 12-month period.
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Enrollment is for 12 months. Patients can re-enroll upon the completion of every
12-month period.
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Offer covers cost of the medication copay only. This offer is valid in the United States, excluding Massachusetts or where it is prohibited by law. Other restrictions and exclusions may apply. Limited time offer.
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Learn more about THE ORENCIA® (abatacept) COPAY PROGRAM™
What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)?
JIA is arthritis of unknown cause that begins before 16 years of age and lasts for
at least 6 weeks. It is also referred to as
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The main symptoms children and teens with JIA
may experience are:
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Pain and swelling in the joints
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Stiffness in the joints
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Limited range of motion
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How does ORENCIA work?
ORENCIA is the first in a category of biologic medicines that work in a different way than other RA
treatments. It works early in the RA process — at the T-cell level.
T cells are important because when they are activated (or “turned on”), they actually start a chain of
events that is believed to lead to the inflammation, pain, and damage of RA. ORENCIA can reduce the
activity of T cells, which may reduce the activation of other cells in the RA inflammatory process.
Can ORENCIA affect my ability to fight infections?
ORENCIA can lower your body's ability to fight infection. Treatment with ORENCIA can make you more prone to getting infections
or make any infection you have worse. It is important to tell your doctor if you think you have any infections.
What should I tell my doctor before treatment with ORENCIA?
Before you receive treatment with ORENCIA you should tell your doctor if you:
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have any kind of infection even if it is small (such as an open cut or sore) or an infection that is in your whole body (such as the flu). |
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have an infection that will not go away or a history of infections that keep coming back.
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have had tuberculosis (TB), a positive skin test for TB, or if you recently have been in close contact with someone who has had TB. If you get any of the symptoms of TB (a dry cough that does not go away, weight loss, fever, night sweats), call your healthcare provider right away. Before you start ORENCIA, your healthcare provider may examine you for TB or perform a skin test. |
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have or have had viral hepatitis. Before you use ORENCIA, your healthcare provider may examine you for hepatitis. |
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have a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease (COPD). |
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are scheduled to have surgery. |
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are allergic to any of the following ingredients in ORENCIA for infusion: abatacept, maltose, monobasic sodium phosphate, and sodium chloride for administration or the ingredients in ORENCIA injection: abatacept, sucrose, poloxamer 188, monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate, dibasic sodium phosphate anhydrous, and water for injection. |
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recently received a vaccination or are scheduled for any vaccination. If you are receiving ORENCIA, and for 3 months after you stop receiving ORENCIA, you should not take live vaccines. |
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have diabetes and use a blood glucose monitor to check your sugar levels. The infusion of ORENCIA contains maltose, a sugar that can give falsely high blood glucose readings with some monitors on the day you receive your infusion. Your healthcare provider may tell you to use a different way to monitor your blood sugar levels. ORENCIA for subcutaneous injection (injected under the skin) does not contain maltose; therefore, you do not need to change the way you monitor your blood sugar if you are taking ORENCIA subcutaneously. |
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are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are thinking about becoming pregnant. It is not known if ORENCIA can harm your unborn baby. |
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are breast-feeding. You will need to decide to either breast-feed or receive treatment with ORENCIA, but not both. |
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take any other kinds of medicine, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. |
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are taking other biologic medicines to treat RA or JIA such as: Enbrel® (etanercept), Humira® (adalimumab), Remicade® (infliximab), Kineret® (anakinra), Rituxan® (rituximab), Simponi® (golimumab), Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol), Actemra® (tocilizumab). You may have a higher chance of getting a serious infection if you take ORENCIA with other biologic medicines. |
If you are not sure or have any questions about any of this information,
ask your doctor.
What important information do I need to know about side effects with ORENCIA?
ORENCIA can cause serious side effects including:
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Serious infections. Serious infections, including rare but fatal infections, can occur.
ORENCIA can make you more likely to get infections or make the infection that you have get worse. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you feel sick or get any of the following signs of infection: fever, feel very tired, cough, feel flu-like, or warm, red or painful skin. |
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Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can happen on the day of treatment or the day after receiving ORENCIA. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have hives, swollen face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat or trouble breathing.
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Hepatitis B infection. If you are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (a virus that affects the liver), the virus can become active while you use ORENCIA. Your healthcare provider may do a blood test before you start or while using ORENCIA. |
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Vaccinations. You should not receive ORENCIA with certain types of vaccines. ORENCIA may cause some vaccinations to be less effective. |
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Respiratory problems in patients with COPD. You may get certain respiratory problems more often if you receive ORENCIA and have COPD, including: worsened COPD, pneumonia, cough, or trouble breathing. |
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Cancer (malignancies). Certain kinds of cancer have been reported in patients receiving ORENCIA. It is not known if ORENCIA increases your chance of getting certain kinds of cancer. |
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What are the more common side effects with ORENCIA?
Common side effects with ORENCIA in both adults and children are headache, upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat, and nausea. Other side effects in children and adolescents may include diarrhea, cough, fever, and abdominal pain.
Can I receive ORENCIA if I am pregnant or breast-feeding?
ORENCIA has not been studied in pregnant women or nursing mothers, so we don't know
what the effects are on pregnant women or nursing babies. You should tell your doctor
if you are pregnant, become pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant.
Can I receive ORENCIA if I am taking other rheumatoid arthritis
medicines or medicines for other conditions?
Yes, you can take other medicines if your doctor has prescribed them or has told
you it is okay to take them while you are receiving ORENCIA. It is important to
tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including hormones, over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, supplements, or herbal products before you are treated with
ORENCIA. If you start taking or plan to start taking any new medicine while you
are receiving ORENCIA, tell your doctor. ORENCIA should not be taken with biologic
medications for RA such as Enbrel® (etanercept), Humira® (adalimumab), Remicade® (infliximab), Kineret® (anakinra), Rituxan® (rituximab), Simponi® (golimumab), Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol), Actemra® (tocilizumab).
How will ORENCIA be given to me?
ORENCIA is the first RA biologic treatment that lets you and your doctor choose how it’s administered. You and your doctor can work together to decide which way is best for you, what fits you-personally.
You can choose:
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An intravenous (IV) infusion (through a vein in your arm) given to you every 4 weeks by a healthcare professional, usually at your doctor’s office |
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A weekly injection (under your skin) that may be convenient for you to
do yourself |
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Your healthcare provider will tell you how much ORENCIA to use and when to use it.
What if I still have questions?
If you have any questions or problems, always talk with your doctor. You can also
call 1-800-ORENCIA toll-free or visit the company Internet site at www.BMS.com. |