Anyone have experience with ORENCIA (abatacept) infusions for RA?

Posted by nleejewell @nleejewell, Mar 17, 2022

I’ve been using the Orencia click-jet self injection weekly, but it’s effectiveness has worn off. Yesterday I had my first infusion, which means I’m now “flooded” with it. Another in 2 weeks, followed by another and then maintenance doses father apart. Anyone with experience in this treatment?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

suzcape | @suzcape | Oct 29, 2022

I have had 3 Orencia infusions for RA so far. No issues. I am also taking 4mg pill of Methlprednisonal each day. I’m hoping to get off pill soon.

GDCM | @gdcm | Apr 21, 2023

I have been on Orencia for 18 months. Because of past issues with loading doses, I did not do the higher doses at the beginning of infusions and instead started on Orencia 500mg (with 50mg Benedryl IV piggyback & 20mg Prednisone day before, day of, and day after infusions.) After 6 months, we upped my Orencia infusion dose to the normal 750mg, and dropped the last day of Prednisone 20mg. After that time, I have done very well on Orencia, and have had no side effects (other than a sunburn type rash and gum lesions immediately after the infusion; the pre-meds takes care of this for me.) The only thing I experience is very minimal; the day after my infusion I am a bit tired and just take it easy…no other issues! (crossed fingers)

I hope Orencia continues working for me, I’m very happy with it. Best of luck, hang in there because it may take a few months to get full impact of the medication.

mizmaxg | @mizmaxg | Apr 22, 2023

I've been getting abatacept infusions for about two years with no side effects. (I sometimes get "cold symptoms" for a day or two and a mild headache, but I get so many headaches it gets lost in the mix.) As I recall, it took a few infusions before I felt much difference, but the times I've had to put the infusions on pause (related to the timing of vaccines, nothing to do with the abatacept itself), I noticed the difference. Hope it all goes equally well for you.