Abatacept

Brand names: Orencia

A biologic that stops T cells from fully switching on, calming the inflammatory chain at an early step.

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Abatacept

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How it works · T-cell costimulation

Immune cells talk to each other

Antigen-presenting cells show fragments of proteins to T cells, the coordinators of the immune response.

Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

T cells need two signals to activate. Abatacept blocks the second one, so the T cell stays quiet.

A weekly injection under the skin, or a monthly IV infusion after loading doses.

Headache, nausea and colds. Infection risk is modestly increased.

TB and hepatitis B screening, then periodic labs.

It may be a good fit for people with a history of infections or lung disease. Use with caution in COPD.

At a glance

Class

Biologics

Brand names

Orencia

Reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD, FACR

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For education only. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without talking to your care team.