Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes pain and joint inflammation (tenderness and swelling). It can also cause joint damage. Orencia MUST ONLY BE GIVEN BY YOUR DOCTOR OR NURSE. The intravenous infusion will take about 30 minutes.

Orencia contains abatacept; a medicine which is used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults.

Orencia in combination with methotrexate is also used in the treatment of severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with methotrexate.

Orencia is also used to treat moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and adolescents 6 years of age and older who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

Orencia is a medicine that keeps the immune system from attacking healthy tissues in the body. The immune system is the body's defence against attack by infections caused by bacteria and viruses. A normal immune system leaves healthy body tissues alone. In adults with rheumatoid arthritis and in children and adolescents (greater than 6 years of age) with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the immune system attacks normal body tissues. This can cause damage and inflammation especially in the tissues of your joints. Orencia interferes with an important step in this attack; it decreases the immune system's attack on normal tissues. Orencia can reduce pain, joint inflammation, and damage to your bones and cartilage.

Orencia can also reduce your body's ability to fight infection, so treatment with Orencia may make you more prone to getting infections, or make any infection that you might have worse. It is important to tell your doctor if you think you have any infections.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Orencia has been prescribed for you.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Orencia is not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age, as there have been no formal studies of its effects in children under 6 years of age.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Orencia may include:

Orencia is not recommended to be given with other biologic rheumatoid arthritis medicines such as rituximab, tocilizumab and anakinra, since there is limited experience in the use of these medicines with Orencia.

If your child is to receive Orencia, discuss your child's vaccination history and plans with your doctor. All vaccines should be brought up-to-date before starting Orencia. Talk with your doctor about your vaccination plans prior to receiving Orencia.

The effects of Orencia in pregnant women are not known. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Orencia during pregnancy.

The effects of Orencia are not known in nursing babies. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Orencia during breastfeeding.

Orencia contains maltose, which is a type of sugar that can give falsely high blood glucose readings with certain types of blood glucose monitors. Your doctor may recommend a different method for monitoring your blood glucose levels.

Orencia contains sodium chloride, your doctor will advise you.

Orencia is not recommended to be given with other biologic rheumatoid arthritis medicines such as rituximab, tocilizumab and anakinra, as there is limited experience in the use of these medicines with Orencia.

Your doctor will decide what dose you will be given. Your dose will depend on factors such as your weight. After you have been given your first dose of Orencia, you will receive an additional dose at 2 weeks and then again at 4 weeks. Thereafter, you will be given your dose every 4 weeks.

Orencia is given as a slow infusion into a vein. It will take about 30 minutes to give you your full dose of medicine. Orencia must only be given by a doctor or nurse.

Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns.

These symptoms may be:

As with other medicines Orencia may cause dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how to react to Orencia before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything that could be dangerous if your feel dizzy.

Like other medicines, Orencia can help people with rheumatoid arthritis, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Serious infections have been reported in patients given Orencia. These infections are rare and include tuberculosis, pneumonia and other infections caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Some patients may experience reactions related to the infusion of Orencia. Most of these reactions are mild to moderate and may include:

Although it is uncommon, some patients may experience hypersensitivity reactions within 24 hours of treatment with Orencia. Most of these reactions are mild to moderate and may include:

Serious hypersensitivity reactions are rarely reported. You should go immediately to a doctor or hospital if you suddenly feel faint or have difficulty breathing within 24 hours after being given Orencia.

There have been rare reports of some types of cancer developing in patients using Orencia. The role of Orencia in the development of cancer is not known.

You may not experience any of them.

Orencia is provided as a sterile white powder, it is supplied with a silicone-free disposable syringe.

Active Ingredient: abatacept 250mg in a 15mL vial.

Other Ingredients: 500mg maltose, 17.2mg sodium phosphate monobasic and 14.6mg sodium chloride.

Orencia does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Orencia must be refrigerated at 2 to 8°C. It must be protected from light until time of use.