How is it taken ORENCIA (ABATACEPT) TABLETS?

 Orencia may be given:

• through a drip into a vein, which takes 1–2 hours once a month, in hospital or at a special clinic. This is known as an intravenous infusion
• as an injection under the skin once a week using a pre-filled syringe or pen. This is known as a subcutaneous injection. You, your partner, or another family member can learn to give these injections at home.

ORENCIA TABLETS

Speak to your rheumatology team if you’re already having abatacept by infusion and wish to switch to injections – you’ll probably start your injections when your next infusion is due.

If you forget to take your dose within three days, just take it when you remember to and then continue taking your doses according to your usual schedule. If you’re more than three days late taking a dose, ask your rheumatology team for advice on when to take your next one.

It’s a long-term treatment and may not work right away. Some patients report it took between 6–12 weeks before they started to feel better. So, it’s important to continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if you don’t feel better right away. You should also continue taking it when your symptoms improve, and you start to feel better, to help keep your condition under control.

Most patients will have regular blood tests while taking  ORENCIA (ABATACEPT) TABLETS. If you’re taking other drugs, such as methotrexate, you’ll also need to continue your blood tests for these.