Orencia (abatacept) is a biologic DMARD used to treat moderate to severely active RA. It works by blocking the activation of T-cells, which are immune cells that mistakenly attack the body's own tissues.
For infusions, the schedule typically looks like this:
- First dose at week 1
- Second dose at week 2
- Third dose at week Show Full Answer
Orencia (abatacept) is a biologic DMARD used to treat moderate to severely active RA. It works by blocking the activation of T-cells, which are immune cells that mistakenly attack the body's own tissues.
For infusions, the schedule typically looks like this:
- First dose at week 1
- Second dose at week 2
- Third dose at week 4
- Then every 4 weeks going forward
Each infusion takes about 30 minutes, which is pretty quick compared to some other infusion treatments! Common side effects can include headache, respiratory tract infections, and nausea. More serious but rare side effects include severe infections and allergic reactions. It's important to watch for signs of infection like fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms and contact your doctor right away if they occur.
Orencia may also slightly increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, so it's worth discussing this with your rheumatologist. Some myRAteam members have had positive experiences with Orencia infusions. One myRAteam member shared, "I just had my monthly Orencia infusion today. I have been on and off it for years. It works well, and I have no side effects from it."
It's worth noting that biologics can take time to work — patience is key! As always, your rheumatologist is the best person to talk to about whether Orencia infusions are the right fit for you.
September 29
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