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Abatacept

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Orencia

Brand Names
Orencia
Drug Class
Selective T Cell Costimulation Modulator [EPC]
Route
SUBCUTANEOUS
Dosage Form
INJECTION, SOLUTION
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

11 DESCRIPTION Abatacept is a selective T-cell costimulation modulator. Abatacept is a soluble fusion protein that consists of the extracellular domain of human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) linked to the modified Fc (hinge, CH2, and CH3 domains) portion of human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1). Abatacept is produced by recombinant DNA technology in a mammalian cell expression system. The apparent molecular weight of abatacept is 92 kilodaltons. ORENCIA (abatacept) for injection is a sterile, white, preservative-free lyophilized powder for reconstitution and dilution prior to intravenous infusion. Following reconstitution of the lyophilized powder with 10 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, the reconstituted solution of ORENCIA is clear, colorless to pale yellow, with a concentration of 25 mg/mL and with a pH range of 7.2 to 7.8. Each single-dose vial of ORENCIA provides 250 mg abatacept, maltose (500 mg), monobasic sodium phosphate (17.2 mg), and sodium chloride (14.6 mg). ORENCIA (abatacept) injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale-yellow solution with a pH range of 6.8 to 7.4 for subcutaneous administration. ORENCIA injection is supplied as a single-dose prefilled syringe or as a single-dose ClickJect autoinjector (see Table 6). Table 6: Contents of ORENCIA Subcutaneous Injection Presentation Active Ingredient Quantity and Volume Inactive Ingredient Content ORENCIA injection 50 mg/0.4 mL prefilled syringe 50 mg of abatacept in 0.4 mL of solution dibasic sodium phosphate anhydrous (0.335 mg) monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate (0.114 mg) poloxamer 188 (3.2 mg) sucrose (68 mg) qs to 0.4 mL Water for Injection, USP ORENCIA injection 87.5 mg/0.7 mL prefilled syringe 87.5 mg of abatacept in 0.7 mL of solution dibasic sodium phosphate anhydrous (0.587 mg) monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate (0.200 mg) poloxamer 188 (5.6 mg) sucrose (119 mg) qs to 0.7 mL Water for Injection, USP ORENCIA...

What Is Abatacept Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ORENCIA is a selective T cell costimulation modulator indicated for:

  • the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). (1.1)
  • the treatment of patients 2 years of age and older with moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). (1.2)
  • the treatment of patients 2 years of age and older with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). (1.3)
  • the prophylaxis of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD), in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate, in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a matched or 1 allele-mismatched unrelated donor. (1.4) Limitations of Use: Concomitant use of ORENCIA with other immunosuppressives [e.g., biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDS), Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors] is not recommended. ( 1.5 , 5.1) 1.1 Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis ORENCIA ® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 1.2 Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ORENCIA is indicated for the treatment of patients 2 years of age and older with moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). 1.3 Psoriatic Arthritis ORENCIA is indicated for the treatment of patients 2 years of age and older with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). 1.4 Prophylaxis for Acute Graft versus Host Disease ORENCIA is indicated for the prophylaxis of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD), in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate, in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a matched or 1 allele-mismatched unrelated-donor. 1.5 Limitations of Use The concomitant use of ORENCIA with other potent immunosuppressants [e.g., biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors] is not recommended.

    • Dosage and Administration

    2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Intravenous Use for Adult RA (2.1) and Adult PsA (2.3)

  • Administer at 0, 2, and 4 weeks, and every 4 weeks thereafter, as a 30-minute infusion Body Weight of Patient Dose Number of Vials Less than 60 kg 500 mg 2 60 to 100 kg 750 mg 3 More than 100 kg 1,000 mg 4 Subcutaneous Use for Adult RA (2.1)
  • Prior to the first subcutaneous dose, may administer an optional loading dose as a single intravenous infusion as per body weight categories above.
  • Administer 125 mg by subcutaneous injection once weekly (within a day of the intravenous infusion if infusion given).
  • Patients switching from intravenous use to subcutaneous use, administer first subcutaneous dose instead of next scheduled intravenous dose. Intravenous Use for pJIA in Pediatric Patients ≥6 Years Old (2.2)
  • Pediatric patients weighing <75 kg administer 10 mg/kg intravenously and those weighing ≥75 kg administer the adult intravenous dosing regimen (not to exceed a maximum dose of 1,000 mg), as a 30-minute infusion.
  • Subsequently administer infusions at 2 and 4 weeks and every 4 weeks thereafter. Subcutaneous Use for pJIA and PsA in Pediatric Patients ≥2 Years Old (2.2)
  • Administer subcutaneously without an intravenous loading dose Body Weight of Pediatric Patient Dose (once weekly) 10 kg to less than 25 kg 50 mg 25 kg to less than 50 kg 87.5 mg 50 kg or more 125 mg Subcutaneous Use for Adult PsA ( 2.3 )
  • Administer 125 mg by subcutaneous injection once weekly without an intravenous loading dose.
  • Patients switching from intravenous use to subcutaneous use, administer first subcutaneous dose instead of next scheduled intravenous dose. Intravenous Use for Prophylaxis of aGVHD (2.4)
  • For patients 6 years and older, administer at a 10 mg/kg dose (maximum dose 1,000 mg) as a 60-minute infusion on the day before transplantation, followed by a dose on Day 5, 14, and 28 after transplant.
  • For patients 2 to less than 6 years old, administer a 15 mg/kg dose as a 60-minute infusion on the day before transplantation, followed by a 12 mg/kg dose as a 60-minute infusion on Day 5, 14, and 28 after transplant. Preparation and Administration Instructions ( 2.5 , 2.6 )
  • Administer as a 30-minute intravenous infusion for RA, pJIA, and adult PsA. (2.5)
  • Administer as a 60-minute intravenous infusion for aGVHD prophylaxis. (2.5)
  • See the Full Prescribing Information for preparation and administration instructions for intravenous infusion and recommendations for subcutaneous use. (2.5, 2.6) Prepare ORENCIA using only the silicone-free disposable syringe. (2.5) 2.1 Dosage in Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis For adult patients with RA, administer as an intravenous infusion or as a subcutaneous injection. ORENCIA may be used as monotherapy or concomitantly with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) other than JAK inhibitors or bDMARDs (e.g., TNF antagonists). Intravenous Dosage Reconstitute ORENCIA lyophilized powder and administer after dilution [see Dosage and...

    • Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

    6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

  • Increased Risk of Infection with Concomitant Use with TNF Antagonists, Other Biologic RA/PsA Therapy, or JAK Inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]
  • Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]
  • Increased Risk of Adverse Reactions When Used in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]
  • Immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ]
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Reactivation in aGVHD Prophylaxis after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ]
  • Most common adverse events (≥10%) in RA are headache, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and nausea. (6.1)
  • Most common adverse reactions (≥10%) in prophylaxis of aGVHD are anemia, hypertension, CMV reactivation/CMV infection, pyrexia, pneumonia, epistaxis, CD4 lymphocytes decreased, hypermagnesemia, and acute kidney injury. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-800-721-5072 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying and controlled conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not predict the rates observed in a broader patient population in clinical practice. Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with RA Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA The data from placebo-controlled studies described herein reflect exposure to ORENCIA administered intravenously in patients with active RA (1955 patients with ORENCIA, 989 with placebo) (Studies I through VI) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . The studies had either a double-blind, placebo-controlled period of 6 months (258 patients with ORENCIA, 133 with placebo) or 1 year (1697 patients with ORENCIA, 856 with placebo). A subset of these patients received concomitant biologic DMARD therapy, such as a TNF antagonist (204 patients with ORENCIA, 134 with placebo). The concomitant use of ORENCIA with a TNF antagonist is not recommended [see Indications and Usage (1.5) ] . The majority of patients in RA clinical studies received one or more of the following concomitant medications with ORENCIA: methotrexate, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, TNF antagonist, azathioprine, chloroquine, gold, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, and anakinra. The most serious adverse reactions were serious infections and malignancies. The most commonly reported adverse events (occurring in ≥10% of patients treated with ORENCIA) were headache, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and nausea. The adverse reactions most frequently resulting in clinical intervention (interruption or discontinuation of ORENCIA) were due to infection. The most frequently reported infections resulting in dose interruption were upper respiratory tract infection (1%), bronchitis (0.7%), and herpes zoster (0.7%). The most frequent infections resulting in discontinuation were pneumonia (0.2%), localized infection (0.2%), and bronchitis (0.1%). Most Common Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA Adverse reactions occurring in 3% or more of patients and at least 1% more frequently in ORENCIA-treated patients (intravenous) during placebo-controlled RA studies are summarized in Table 4. Table 4: Most Common Adverse Reactions* During Placebo-Controlled RA Studies of Intravenous ORENCIA Intravenous ORENCIA (n=1955) a Placebo (n=989) b * Occurred in ≥3% patients and >1% more frequently in ORENCIA-treated patients. a Includes 204 patients on concomitant biologic DMARDs (adalimumab, anakinra,...

    • Drug Interactions

    7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Immunosuppressants Concomitant administration of a TNF antagonist with ORENCIA has been associated with an increased risk of serious infections and no significant additional efficacy over use of the TNF antagonists alone. Concurrent therapy with ORENCIA and TNF antagonists is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. There is insufficient experience to assess the safety and efficacy of ORENCIA administered concurrently with other biologic RA therapy, such as anakinra, or other biologic PsA therapy, and JAK inhibitors and therefore such use is not recommended. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . 7.2 Blood Glucose Testing Parenteral drug products containing maltose can interfere with the readings of blood glucose monitors that use test strips with glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinoline quinone (GDH-PQQ). The GDH-PQQ based glucose monitoring systems may react with the maltose present in ORENCIA for intravenous administration, resulting in falsely elevated blood glucose readings on the day of infusion. When receiving intravenous ORENCIA, patients that require blood glucose monitoring should be advised to consider methods that do not react with maltose, such as those based on glucose dehydrogenase nicotine adenine dinucleotide (GDH-NAD), glucose oxidase, or glucose hexokinase test methods. ORENCIA for subcutaneous administration does not contain maltose; therefore, patients do not need to alter their glucose monitoring.

    Contraindications

    4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. (4)

    Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

    8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The data with ORENCIA use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. However, there are clinical considerations for administering live vaccines to infants who were exposed to ORENCIA while in utero (see Clinical Considerations) . In reproductive toxicology studies in rats and rabbits, no fetal malformations were observed with intravenous administration of ORENCIA during organogenesis at doses that produced exposures approximately 29 times the exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 10 mg/kg/month on an AUC basis. However, in a pre- and postnatal development study in rats, ORENCIA altered immune function in female rats at 11 times the MRHD on an AUC basis. Clinical Considerations Infants and Administration of Live Vaccines It is unknown if abatacept can cross the placenta into the fetus when a woman is treated with ORENCIA during pregnancy. Abatacept is an immunomodulatory agent. It is unknown if the immune response of an infant who was exposed in utero to abatacept and subsequently administered a live vaccine is impacted. Risks and benefits should be considered prior to vaccinating such infants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Data Human Data There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of ORENCIA use in pregnant women. The data with ORENCIA use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. Animal Data Intravenous administration of abatacept during organogenesis to mice (10, 55, or 300 mg/kg/day), rats (10, 45, or 200 mg/kg/day), and rabbits (10, 45, or 200 mg/kg every 3 days) produced exposures in rats and rabbits that were approximately 29 times the MRHD on an AUC basis (at maternal doses of 200 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits), and no embryotoxicity or fetal malformations were observed in any species. In a study of pre- and postnatal development in rats (10, 45, or 200 mg/kg every 3 days from gestation day 6 through lactation day 21), alterations in immune...

    Overdosage

    10 OVERDOSAGE ORENCIA doses up to 50 mg/kg (5 times the maximum recommended dose in patients aged 6 years and older and 3.3 times the maximum recommended dose in patients aged 2 to less than 6 years) have been administered intravenously without apparent toxic effect. In case of overdosage, it is recommended that the patient be monitored for any signs or symptoms of adverse reactions and appropriate symptomatic treatment instituted.

    How Supplied

    16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING For Intravenous Infusion ORENCIA ® (abatacept) for injection is a white lyophilized powder for intravenous infusion after reconstitution and dilution. It is supplied as an individually packaged, single-dose vial (one may use less than the full contents of the vial or use more than one vial) with a silicone-free disposable syringe, providing 250 mg of abatacept: NDC 0003-2187-13: in a carton presentation For Subcutaneous Use ORENCIA ® (abatacept) injection and ORENCIA ® ClickJect (abatacept) injection are clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solutions for subcutaneous administration. Prefilled Syringe ORENCIA (abatacept) injection, 50 mg/0.4 mL, 87.5 mg/0.7 mL, and 125 mg/mL, is supplied as single-dose disposable prefilled glass syringes with BD UltraSafe Passive™ needle guard and flange extenders. The Type I glass syringe has a coated stopper and fixed stainless steel needle (5 bevel, 29-gauge thin wall, ½-inch needle) covered with a rigid needle shield. The prefilled syringe provides ORENCIA in the following packages: NDC 0003-2814-11 (50 mg/0.4 mL): pack of 4 syringes with a passive needle safety guard NDC 0003-2818-11 (87.5 mg/0.7 mL): pack of 4 syringes with a passive needle safety guard NDC 0003-2188-11 (125 mg/mL): pack of 4 syringes with a passive needle safety guard ClickJect Autoinjector ORENCIA (abatacept) ClickJect, 125 mg/mL, is supplied as a single-dose disposable prefilled autoinjector. The Type I glass syringe contained in the autoinjector has a coated stopper and fixed stainless steel needle (5 bevel, 27-gauge special thin wall, ½-inch needle) covered with a rigid needle shield. The autoinjector provides 125 mg of abatacept in 1 mL and is provided in the following package: NDC 0003-2188-51: pack of 4 autoinjectors Storage Refrigerate ORENCIA lyophilized powder supplied in a vial at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not use beyond the expiration date on the vial. Protect the vials from light by...

    About This Information

    This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

    What are side effects?

    Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

    What are drug interactions?

    Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.