What is ORENCIA® (abatacept)?
ORENCIA is a prescription medicine that is used to treat adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not been helped enough by other medicines for RA. RA is a disease that causes pain and joint inflammation (tenderness and swelling). RA can also cause joint damage. Your doctor may consider treating you with ORENCIA because your disease is still active even though you may have tried other treatments.
ORENCIA is also indicated to treat for reducing the signs and symptoms in pediatric patients 6 years of age or older with moderately to severely active polyarticular JIA. ORENCIA may be used alone or in combination with methotrexate.
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 $50 for each infusion up to $5,000 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. JIA causes swelling with joint pain. 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 a rheumatoid arthritis medicine that keeps the immune system from attacking healthy tissues in the body. The immune system defends the body against infections caused by bacteria and viruses.
A normal immune system leaves healthy body tissues alone.
In people with RA, the immune system attacks normal body tissues causing damage and inflammation especially
in the tissues of your joints.ORENCIA interferes with an important step in this attack. By decreasing the immune system's attack on normal tissues, ORENCIA can reduce pain and joint inflammation, and slow the damage of your bones and cartilage.
However, ORENCIA can also 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.
Who should not receive ORENCIA?
Talk to your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ORENCIA to determine if you should receive ORENCIA again.
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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are taking a TNF blocker such as Enbrel®, Humira®, and Remicade® to treat RA. You may have a higher chance of getting a serious infection if you take ORENCIA with other biologic medications for RA.
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are taking Kineret®
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have any kind of infection including an infection that is in only one place in
your body(such as an open cut or sore), or an infection that is in your whole
body (such as the flu). Having an infection can put you at risk for serious
side effects from ORENCIA. If you are unsure please ask your doctor.
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have an infection that won't 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 you recently have been
in close contact with someone who has had TB. If you develope any of the symptoms of
TB (a dry cough that doesn’t go away, weight loss, fever, night sweats) call
your doctor right away. Before you start ORENCIA, your doctor may examine you for
TB or perform a skin test.
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have a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease (COPD).
Taking ORENCIA may cause your COPD symptoms to get worse.
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are scheduled to have surgery.
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recently received a vaccination or are scheduled for any vaccination.
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are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if ORENCIA
can harm your unborn baby.
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are breast-feeding. ORENCIA can pass into breast milk. You will need to decide to either breast-feed or receive treatment with ORENCIA, but not
both.
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have diabetes and are using a blood glucose monitor to check your blood glucose levels. ORENCIA contains maltose, which is a type of blood sugar that can give falsely high blood glucose readings with certain types of blood glucose monitors. Your doctor may recommend a different method for monitoring your blood glucose levels.
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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?
Like all medicines that affect your immune system, ORENCIA can cause serious side effects. The possible serious side effects include:
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Serious infections. Patients taking ORENCIA are at increased risk
for developing infections including pneumonia, and other infections caused by viruses,
bacteria, or fungi. Call your doctor immediately if you feel sick or get any infection during treatment with ORENCIA .
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Allergic reactions.These reactions are usually mild or moderate, and include hives, swollen face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat or trouble breathing.
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Malignancies. There have been rare cases of certain kinds of cancer in patients receiving ORENCIA. The role of ORENCIA in the developement of cancer is not known.
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What are the more common side effects with ORENCIA?
The more common side effects with ORENCIA are headache, upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat, and nausea.
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 for
my RA or 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®, Humira®, Remicade®, or Kineret®.
How will ORENCIA be given to me?
ORENCIA will be given to you by a healthcare professional using an IV. This means
the medicine will be given to you through a needle placed in a vein in your arm.
It will take about 30 minutes to give you the full dose of medicine.
How often will I receive ORENCIA® (abatacept)?
You will receive your first dose of ORENCIA followed by additional doses at 2 and 4 weeks after the first dose. You will then receive a dose every 4 weeks.
What should I do if I miss a dose of ORENCIA?
If you miss receiving ORENCIA when you are supposed to, ask your doctor when to
schedule your next dose.
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.
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