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Abatacept This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Abatacept but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns. Why is Abatacept prescribed? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Abatacept is used alone or in combination with other medications to reduce the pain, swelling, difficulty with daily activities, and joint damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints causing pain, swelling, and loss of function) in patients who have not been helped by other medications. Abatacept is in a class of medications called selective costimulation modulators (immunomodulators). It works by blocking the activity of T-cells, a type of immune cell in the body that causes swelling and joint damage in people who have arthritis. Recent news articles mentioning Abatacept New biologics facility for BMS  -  Feb 20, 2007 In-PharmaTechnologist.com, The new site is intended to support increased production capacity of biologic compounds such as the company's Orencia (abatacept) for rheumatoid arthritis, B-MS hopes the pain caused by generic Plavix will end soon  -  Jan 26, 2007 Pharma Times (subscription), ...while Orencia (abatacept) revenues, approved a year ago in the USA for rheumatoid arthritis and touted as a potential blockbuster, brought in just $32 Bristol-Myers Squibb Completes Land Acquisition for New Biologics ...  -  Feb 19, 2007 Drug Newswire (press release), ...available biologic compounds, such as ORENCIA(R) (abatacept), and help meet future production needs of biologic compounds currently in development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Completes Land Acquisition for New Biologics ...  -  Feb 16, 2007 Yahoo! News (press release) ...manufacturing facility is expected to support increased production capacity for commercially available biologic compounds, such as ORENCIA® (abatacept), How should Abatacept be used? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Abatacept comes as a powder to be mixed with sterile water and infused (injected slowly) intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse. It is usually given in a doctor's office every 2 weeks for the first three doses and then every 4 weeks. It will take about 30 minutes for you to receive your entire dose of abatacept. Your doctor will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet to read before you receive each dose of abatacept. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor any questions you have. Other uses for Abatacept [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Before taking almotriptan, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to almotriptan or any other medications. do not take almotriptan within 24 hours of another selective serotonin receptor agonist such as eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or ergot-type medications such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline (Dostinex), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergoloid mesylates (Germinal, Hydergine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Ergomar, Wigraine), methylergonovine (Methergine), methysergide (Sansert), and pergolide (Permax). tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking, have recently stopped taking, or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone (Serzone); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor); troleandomycin (TAO); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or if you have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you smoke, if you or any family members have or have ever had heart disease, if you have gone through menopause (change of life), and if you have or have ever had a heart attack; angina (chest pain); high blood pressure; high cholesterol; diabetes; circulation problems; or kidney or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking almotriptan, call your doctor. you should know that almotriptan may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. talk to your doctor about your headache symptoms to make sure they are caused by migraine. Almotriptan should not be used to treat hemiplegic or basilar migraine or headaches caused by other conditions (such as cluster headaches). What side effects can Abatacept cause? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Abatacept may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache runny nose sore throat nausea dizziness heartburn back pain arm or leg pain Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately: hives skin rash itching swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat difficulty breathing or swallowing shortness of breath fever, chills, and other signs of infection dry cough that doesn't go away weight loss night sweats frequent urination or sudden need to urinate right away burning during urination cellulitis (red, hot, swollen area on the skin) Abatacept may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer including lymphoma (cancer that begins in the cells that fight infection). People who have had severe rheumatoid arthritis for a long time may have a greater than normal risk of developing these cancers even if they do not use abatacept. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication. Abatacept may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication. Brand names for Abatacept [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Orencia®