Additional Information

Description

Abatacept comes in 250mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion which after reconstitution makes 25mg of abatacept each ml. It is used for the treatment of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis in adults. In children older than 6 years of age, it is used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

The active substance, abatacept, is originally a protein that is produced in cell cultures, and its function is to interfere with the T lymphocytes in order to reduce the attack of immune cells on normal tissues (a phenomenon observed in autoimmune diseases). It thereby slows down the damage to the joints and improves physical functions.

Abatacept is prescribed in moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis when the patient is not responding well to DMARDs or TNF blockers. It should not be used in patients with known sensitivity to the active ingredient or any of the excipients. Also, treatment with abatacept should not be started in patients with severe or uncontrolled infections as treatment in the state of active infection may worsen the condition.

The presence of maltose (a type of sugar) in the injection can result in false readings of blood glucose tests done by a blood glucose monitor. Therefore, different methods of blood glucose monitoring should be suggested.