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Ra and you
When you have a chronic disease like RA, you may be afraid of a setback and want to stick with your current treatment plan even though you are still having symptoms or having difficulty doing everyday things. After all, RA is a lifelong disease that, if not properly managed, may impact your quality of life both physically and emotionally.
Your rheumatologist is your best partner in managing and treating your moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It's important to track your joint pain and symptoms, and keep your rheumatologist informed about how you are feeling.
Ask questions about your disease and treatment plan. Be sure to let them know if you notice a change in your ability to do everyday activities like preparing meals or simply getting out of bed in the morning. If you have moderate to severe RA and are finding it more difficult to accomplish these tasks, or aren't getting enough symptom relief from your current treatment, talk to your rheumatologist and ask if ORENCIA® (abatacept) is right for you
The Arthritis Foundation recognizes the importance of maintaining independence and living well with RA. For more lifestyle tips and information on RA, visit www.arthritis.org
ORENCIA is one of several treatment options for RA. It is a prescription medicine for adults with moderate to severe RA who have not been helped enough by other treatments for RA.
How can you help let your rheumatologist know if you're not responding well enough to your current treatment? Think about the signs and symptoms of RA you may still be experiencing and talk to your rheumatologist about any questions or concerns at your next appointment.
Being prepared for your next appointment can help you get the most out of that visit and conversation with your healthcare professional. Just click on the RA Assessment Tool button below. The questions are designed to help your rheumatologist better understand how you're living every day with RA — and your answers can help your rheumatologist decide if it might be time for a different treatment option.
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ORENCIA® (abatacept) Indication Important Safety Information
Indication and Usage
ORENCIA ® (abatacept) is a prescription medicine that reduces signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including those who have not been helped enough by other medicines for RA. ORENCIA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your ability to perform daily activities.
Important Safety Information About ORENCIA® (abatacept)
Before you receive treatment with ORENCIA you should tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have any kind of infection even if it is small (such as an open cut or sore) or an infection that is in your whole body (such as the flu).
- have an infection that will not go away or a history of infections that keep coming back.
- have had tuberculosis (TB), a positive skin test for TB, or if you recently have been in close contact with someone who has had TB. If you get 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.
- have or have had viral hepatitis. Before you use ORENCIA, your doctor may examine you for hepatitis.
- have a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease (COPD).
- are scheduled to have surgery.
- are allergic to any of the following ingredients in ORENCIA: abatacept, maltose, monobasic sodium phosphate, or sodium chloride for administration.
- recently received a vaccination or are scheduled for any vaccination.
- have diabetes and use a blood glucose monitor to check your sugar levels. The infusion of ORENCIA contains maltose, a sugar that can give falsely high blood glucose readings with some monitors on the day you receive your infusion. Your doctor may tell you to use a different way to monitor your blood sugar levels.
- are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are thinking about becoming pregnant. It is not known if ORENCIA can harm your unborn baby.
- are breast-feeding. You will need to decide to either breast-feed or receive treatment with ORENCIA, but not both.
- Take any other kinds of medicine, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
- are taking other biologic medicines to treat RA or JIA such as: Enbrel® (etanercept), Humira® (adalimumab), Remicade® (infliximab), Kineret®(anakinra) or
Rituxan®(rituximab). You may have a higher chance of getting a serious infection if you
take ORENCIA with other biologic medicines.
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Possible Side Effects of ORENCIA® (abatacept)
ORENCIA can cause serious side effects including:
- Serious infections. Patients receiving ORENCIA have a higher chance of getting infections including pneumonia, and other infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Call your doctor immediately if you feel sick or get any of the following signs of infection: fever, feel very tired, cough, feel flu-like, warm, red or painful skin.
- Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can happen on the day of treatment or the day after receiving ORENCIA. Tell your doctor or get emergency medical help right away if you have hives, swollen face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, or trouble breathing.
- Cancer (malignancies).Certain kinds of cancer have been reported in patients receiving ORENCIA. It is not known if ORENCIA increases your chance of getting certain kinds of cancer.
- Vaccinations. You should not receive ORENCIA with certain types of vaccines. ORENCIA may cause some vaccinations to be less effective.
- Respiratory Problems in patients with COPD.You may get certain respiratory
problems more often if you receive ORENCIA and have COPD, including: worsened COPD, pneumonia, cough, or trouble breathing.
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