Training Example: ORENCIA (abatacept) – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

ORENCIA is indicated for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA):
[H1] I Won’t Face My RA in the Dark

Knowing what makes you unique may lead to bright possibilities
Not everyone with RA is the same. Your experience is unique, and you may have other health conditions. Knowing the full picture may help determine which treatment is right for you.
Your time is now. Don't wait to talk to your doctor.

About ORENCIA

About RA

[IMG: ORENCIA® has a trusted legacy of treating moderate to severe RA for 20 years.]

[H2] Talk to your doctor to find out how ORENCIA can help treat moderate to severe RA
Together, you and your doctor should consider your whole health picture and decide if ORENCIA may be right for you

Not everyone with RA is the same
Informing your doctor of your complete medical history, including other health conditions, is important for your RA care.

Understand your full health picture

How ORENCIA may help
ORENCIA 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.

See ORENCIA results

Still nothing similar
ORENCIA is the first and only treatment of its kind in moderate to severe RA. Unlike some RA treatments, ORENCIA does not have an approved biosimilar.*

See how ORENCIA works differently

Real impact
Hear from real patients about their experiences with moderate to severe RA and ORENCIA, and explore helpful resources.

Hear from people who know

*
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Biosimilar Product Information page. Valid as of November 27, 2024.

[IMG: Portrait of Luz, a real patient taking ORENCIA®.]

"I was diagnosed in 1987, long before biologics. I felt grateful when I was prescribed ORENCIA. I've been on it for years now and it's been really good for treating my RA.
Luz: a real patient taking ORENCIA for moderate to severe RA
Patients shown were compensated for their time. Your results may vary.
See more testimonials from real ORENCIA patients

Support at every step
You don’t have to go through treatment alone, because ORENCIA OnCall™  is here to help.

Sign up now

See how it works

[IMG: On Call™ ORENCIA® (abatacept) Support Program logo.]

[IMG: ORENCIA® On Call™ can help patients pay as little as $5 per month for Orencia® medication.]

In moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
[H1] Real testimonials put ORENCIA in the spotlight
How ORENCIA helped real people shine

[IMG: Portrait of Florence, a real patient taking ORENCIA®.]

“I was fortunate—ORENCIA found me. Within 2 weeks, I enrolled in ORENCIA On Call™ and they helped me navigate the insurance process and get the treatment approval. I'm still taking ORENCIA all these years later.”
-Florence

[IMG: Portrait of Luz, a real patient taking ORENCIA®.]

“I was diagnosed in 1987, long before biologics. I felt grateful when I was prescribed ORENCIA. I've been on it for years now and it's been really good for treating my RA.”
-Luz

[IMG: Portrait of Sharon, a real patient taking ORENCIA®.]

“I was diagnosed 23 years ago. I've been on ORENCIA for years now, and eventually, I reached a point where I feel pretty normal.”
-Sharon

[IMG: Portrait of Betsy, a real patient taking ORENCIA®.]

“I’ve had RA since 1997 and had a hip replacement before there were biologic treatments. I struggled with RA before starting ORENCIA years ago. Since then, I've done all sorts of things that I couldn't do before because of my symptoms.”
-Betsy

These are real people who are currently taking ORENCIA for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients shown were compensated for their time. Your results may vary.

[H2] Access downloadable RA resources

Doctor Discussion Guide
This guide helps you prepare for meaningful conversations with your doctor about managing your rheumatoid arthritis, covering topics like symptoms, treatment options, and overall health. Download it now to feel confident and empowered in your RA care journey.
Start the conversation.

Download the Doctor Discussion Guide

[IMG: Placeholder]

[IMG: PDF thumbnail for Orencia®]

ClickJect™ Autoinjector Guide
Detailed instructions on how to use the ClickJect™ Autoinjector

Download (English)

Download (Spanish)

[IMG: PDF thumbnail for Orencia®]

Prefilled Syringe Guide
Detailed instructions on how to use the prefilled syringe

Download (English)

Download (Spanish)

[IMG: PDF thumbnail for Orencia®]

Treatment Journal
A journal to help you track every dose you take

Download

[IMG: PDF thumbnail for]

ORENCIA All Indication Brochure
A brochure to help you keep critical information about ORENCIA handy

Download (English)

Download (Spanish)

[IMG: PDF thumbnail for]

ORENCIA On Call™ Brochure
A brochure that covers everything ORENCIA On Call™

Download

Videos on how to take ORENCIA

[H2] This is a transcript for the “How to Use the Prefilled Syringe” video found on the ORENCIA resources page.
Narrator: Indication/Usage and Important Safety Information for ORENCIA (abatacept).
Indication/Usage.
Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): ORENCIA is a prescription medicine that reduces signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe 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.
In adults, ORENCIA may be used alone or with other RA treatments other than Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.
The concomitant use of ORENCIA with other potent immunosuppressants, for example, bDMARDs, JAK inhibitors, is not recommended.
Your Guide to Self-Injection
Mary Jo: Hi, my name is Mary Jo and I'm a nurse.
As a nurse, I've had the experience of helping many people learn how to take their medication. It's an important part of my job.
If you and your doctor have decided that taking ORENCIA self-injection is appropriate for you, I'd like you to meet my patient, Nicole, who with her doctor also chose self-injection.
When she first started ORENCIA, I gave her a hands-on demonstration and helped her with the first injection in the doctor's office.
Now she will show you how it's done and how it can become routine for you too. So let's meet Nicole.
Nicole: Hi, I'm Nicole and I have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
When my rheumatologist talked to me about biologic medications, we decided that I would take ORENCIA and that it would be through weekly self-injections.
It was a good choice for me—really.
I've given myself injections for a while now so I'm ready to show you how it's done.
To train me, my nurse, Mary Jo, took me through the process step by step.
(On-screen text: You should always receive your initial training at your doctor's office.)
You, however, could have been trained by your doctor or another healthcare professional.
If you're not comfortable doing the injection yourself, a family member or a friend who's also been trained by your doctor's office can do it for you.
Now, you might feel a little nervous about giving yourself an injection. I know I was.
But after a few times, it really does become much more routine.
Think about the time of day you'll do this. You want to focus on your injection, not juggling other things.
By the way, what I'm describing is an overview of how to inject. For detailed instructions, read the Instructions for Use manual located in the same box your syringes came in.
You can also call your doctor's office. And remember, if you still have questions, you can also call 1-800-ORENCIA and an ORENCIA nurse will be able to walk you through it.
Narrator: Possible side effects of ORENCIA (abatacept).
ORENCIA can cause serious side effects including: serious infections.
ORENCIA can make you more likely to get infections or make the infection that you have get worse. Some people have died from these infections.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you feel sick or get any of the following signs of infection: fever; feel very tired; cough; feel flu-like; or warm, red, or painful skin.
Preparing for Your Injection
Nicole: Okay, first, preparing for your injection. Select your syringe and before you do anything else, check the expiration date.
If the date has passed, do not use it. Throw it away, which I'll explain how to do later, and select a new syringe.
After taking your syringe from the refrigerator, let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes before you inject.
This gives it a chance to warm up to room temperature. I already did this about 30 minutes ago because I knew I'd be injecting now.
Don't try to speed up the warming process in any way, such as using the microwave or placing the syringe in warm water.
ORENCIA is provided in a prefilled syringe with UltraSafe Passive Needle Guard. Do not remove the needle cover until you're ready to inject ORENCIA.
Meanwhile, think about where you'd like to inject your ORENCIA. Me, I do almost everything in my kitchen so this room was a natural fit for me.
But just pick a place where you have a lot of light and where you have a clean, flat space to spread out. Remember, this is going to be part of your routine.
Before every injection, hold the syringe with the covered needle pointing down and look at the ORENCIA liquid inside.
Not only should the liquid be clear and colorless to pale yellow, the drug level should also be above the fluid level indicator line on the syringe.
Do not inject ORENCIA if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or has lumps or particles in it, or if the syringe does not have the correct amount of liquid.
Throw the syringe away and get a new one. Call 1-800-ORENCIA to report it.
So remember, never inject without examining your syringe. And by the way, it's normal to see an air bubble in the liquid. There's no reason to remove it.
Keep all of your supplies close by—alcohol swabs, cotton balls or gauze, your sharps container, adhesive bandages, should you need them, and your ORENCIA syringe.
Trust me, it helps to keep everything all tidy and organized.
Don't forget, wash up. It sounds like a no-brainer but really, before every injection, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
You want to minimize the amount of germs you carry to your injection site.
Okay, next step is to choose your injection site. So what spot will you inject?
My nurse recommended the front of the thigh, but she also suggested my belly, except for a two-inch area around the navel.
Now, if someone else is injecting you, then it's okay to use the outer area of the upper arm, but don't try to inject here by yourself.
Every time you inject, change it up. That means move away from your last injection site by at least one inch.
You can also switch the site altogether. For instance, I did my thigh last time so I'm going to do my belly this time.
Don't remember where you injected last? Write it down when you're done.
If you have a tender or bruised area, or your skin is red, scaly, or hard, don't inject there.
Also, avoid any areas with scars or stretch marks.
Okay, I'm ready.
So wipe the area with your alcohol wipe in a circular motion to clean the area and let it dry naturally. But don't touch this area because you just cleaned it. Do NOT fan or blow on the clean area.
Narrator: Allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions can happen to people who use ORENCIA. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction, which may include hives; swollen face, eyelids, lips, or tongue; or trouble breathing.
Nicole: Remember, only remove the needle cover when you're ready to inject, and don't use the needle if there are signs of damage or bending.
Hold the housing of the syringe with one hand and pull the needle cover straight off with your other hand.
Do not touch the plunger while you remove the needle cover. And don't touch the needle or put the needle cover back on the needle once removed.
Do not let the needle touch any surfaces, and don’t use the syringe if it is dropped with the needle exposed.
Throw away the needle cover in your household trash. Now, there may be a small air bubble in the syringe housing, and that's okay, you don't need to remove it.
You may also notice a drop of fluid leaving the needle. This is also normal and won't affect your dose.
You'll notice that the ORENCIA prefilled syringe with UltraSafe Passive Needle Guard has a square shape and extended finger grips. Hold the housing of the syringe in one hand, between your thumb and your index finger, but don't pull back on the plunger of the syringe.
Use your other hand and gently pinch the area of the skin you cleaned. Hold firmly, insert the needle with a quick motion into the pinched skin at a 45-degree angle.
To inject all of the medicine, use your thumb to push the plunger until the plunger head is pushed in as far as it will go.
Slowly lift your thumb from the plunger head. The needle is completely covered by the needle guard as it is removed from the skin.
Now just remove the syringe and let go of the surrounding skin.
That's it.
If there's a little bleeding, grab a cotton ball or gauze and press on the area. You can even place a bandage on it.
Do not rub the injection site. If you notice a little irritation around the site, that happens sometimes, and the discomfort should be mild to moderate.
If you have any pain, swelling, or discoloration near the injection site, call your doctor.
Now the last part, disposal and recordkeeping.
Narrator: Hepatitis B infection. If you are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus, a virus that affects the liver, the virus can become active while you use ORENCIA.
Your healthcare provider may do a blood test before you start treatment with ORENCIA.
Vaccinations. You should not receive ORENCIA with certain types of vaccines—live vaccines. You can receive non-live vaccines, such as pneumococcal and inactivated influenza (flu) vaccines.
ORENCIA may cause some vaccinations to be less effective. Talk to your healthcare provider about your vaccination plans.
Disposal and Recordkeeping
Nicole: Do not try to put the needle cover back on the needle.
Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for instructions about the right way to throw away used syringes. There may be special local or state laws about how to throw away used syringes.
Put the used syringe into a biohazard container made specifically for disposing of used syringes, called a sharps container.
You can also use a hard plastic container with a screw-on cap, such as an empty detergent bottle, or a metal container with a plastic lid, such as a coffee can.
Sharps containers can be purchased at your local pharmacy or many retail outlets. You can also sign up to get free sharps containers from the makers of ORENCIA.
When the container is full, tape around the cap or lid to make sure the cap or lid does not come off. And don't ever reuse a syringe.
Also, keep your syringes and the disposable container out of the reach of children and pets.
So now you need to write down what you just did.
Write the date, time, and specific part of the body where you injected yourself.
I find it helpful to write down my questions about the injection so I can ask my healthcare provider.
Guess what?
We're done!
I hope this helped you feel more comfortable with your ORENCIA injections.
Remember, if you have any questions, talk to your doctor.
For any questions or concerns about your ORENCIA syringe, call an ORENCIA nurse at 1-800-ORENCIA (1-800-673-6242).

On this page:
Prefilled syringe
ClickJect™ Autoinjector
Intravenous (IV) infusion
FAQs about ORENCIA

[H1] Discover ORENCIA injection and infusion options
[H2] Dosing flexibility designed to better fit your lifestyle
With 3 options to choose from, you and your doctor can determine which option is right for you.

Prefilled syringe

Deliver the once-weekly subcutaneous (SC) injection from the comfort of your own home
View injection method >

ClickJect™ Autoinjector

Deliver the once-weekly subcutaneous injection from the comfort of your own home
See autoinjector steps >

Intravenous (IV) infusion

Routine IV infusions given once a month for people who prefer not to self-inject
Explore infusion process >

Why you may want to consider ORENCIA SC in a prefilled syringe
If you are comfortable with the idea of self-injection, the prefilled syringe is an injection you give yourself after training with your doctor.
ORENCIA SC is approved to be used by adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and by patients 2 years of age or older with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA).

Read the instructions

Delivered with the push of a plunger

Taken once weekly

From the comfort of your own home

How to use the prefilled syringe
Your doctor should guide you on how to inject ORENCIA properly, including the correct dosage and injection sites, before you begin.

[H2] This is a transcript for the “How to Use the Prefilled Syringe” video found on the ORENCIA resources page.
Narrator: Indication/Usage and Important Safety Information for ORENCIA (abatacept).
Indication/Usage.
Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): ORENCIA is a prescription medicine that reduces signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe 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.
In adults, ORENCIA may be used alone or with other RA treatments other than Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.
The concomitant use of ORENCIA with other potent immunosuppressants, for example, bDMARDs, JAK inhibitors, is not recommended.
Your Guide to Self-Injection
Mary Jo: Hi, my name is Mary Jo and I'm a nurse.
As a nurse, I've had the experience of helping many people learn how to take their medication. It's an important part of my job.
If you and your doctor have decided that taking ORENCIA self-injection is appropriate for you, I'd like you to meet my patient, Nicole, who with her doctor also chose self-injection.
When she first started ORENCIA, I gave her a hands-on demonstration and helped her with the first injection in the doctor's office.
Now she will show you how it's done and how it can become routine for you too. So let's meet Nicole.
Nicole: Hi, I'm Nicole and I have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
When my rheumatologist talked to me about biologic medications, we decided that I would take ORENCIA and that it would be through weekly self-injections.
It was a good choice for me—really.
I've given myself injections for a while now so I'm ready to show you how it's done.
To train me, my nurse, Mary Jo, took me through the process step by step.
(On-screen text: You should always receive your initial training at your doctor's office.)
You, however, could have been trained by your doctor or another healthcare professional.
If you're not comfortable doing the injection yourself, a family member or a friend who's also been trained by your doctor's office can do it for you.
Now, you might feel a little nervous about giving yourself an injection. I know I was.
But after a few times, it really does become much more routine.
Think about the time of day you'll do this. You want to focus on your injection, not juggling other things.
By the way, what I'm describing is an overview of how to inject. For detailed instructions, read the Instructions for Use manual located in the same box your syringes came in.
You can also call your doctor's office. And remember, if you still have questions, you can also call 1-800-ORENCIA and an ORENCIA nurse will be able to walk you through it.
Narrator: Possible side effects of ORENCIA (abatacept).
ORENCIA can cause serious side effects including: serious infections.
ORENCIA can make you more likely to get infections or make the infection that you have get worse. Some people have died from these infections.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you feel sick or get any of the following signs of infection: fever; feel very tired; cough; feel flu-like; or warm, red, or painful skin.
Preparing for Your Injection
Nicole: Okay, first, preparing for your injection. Select your syringe and before you do anything else, check the expiration date.
If the date has passed, do not use it. Throw it away, which I'll explain how to do later, and select a new syringe.
After taking your syringe from the refrigerator, let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes before you inject.
This gives it a chance to warm up to room temperature. I already did this about 30 minutes ago because I knew I'd be injecting now.
Don't try to speed up the warming process in any way, such as using the microwave or placing the syringe in warm water.
ORENCIA is provided in a prefilled syringe with UltraSafe Passive Needle Guard. Do not remove the needle cover until you're ready to inject ORENCIA.
Meanwhile, think about where you'd like to inject your ORENCIA. Me, I do almost everything in my kitchen so this room was a natural fit for me.
But just pick a place where you have a lot of light and where you have a clean, flat space to spread out. Remember, this is going to be part of your routine.
Before every injection, hold the syringe with the covered needle pointing down and look at the ORENCIA liquid inside.
Not only should the liquid be clear and colorless to pale yellow, the drug level should also be above the fluid level indicator line on the syringe.
Do not inject ORENCIA if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or has lumps or particles in it, or if the syringe does not have the correct amount of liquid.
Throw the syringe away and get a new one. Call 1-800-ORENCIA to report it.
So remember, never inject without examining your syringe. And by the way, it's normal to see an air bubble in the liquid. There's no reason to remove it.
Keep all of your supplies close by—alcohol swabs, cotton balls or gauze, your sharps container, adhesive bandages, should you need them, and your ORENCIA syringe.
Trust me, it helps to keep everything all tidy and organized.
Don't forget, wash up. It sounds like a no-brainer but really, before every injection, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
You want to minimize the amount of germs you carry to your injection site.
Okay, next step is to choose your injection site. So what spot will you inject?
My nurse recommended the front of the thigh, but she also suggested my belly, except for a two-inch area around the navel.
Now, if someone else is injecting you, then it's okay to use the outer area of the upper arm, but don't try to inject here by yourself.
Every time you inject, change it up. That means move away from your last injection site by at least one inch.
You can also switch the site altogether. For instance, I did my thigh last time so I'm going to do my belly this time.
Don't remember where you injected last? Write it down when you're done.
If you have a tender or bruised area, or your skin is red, scaly, or hard, don't inject there.
Also, avoid any areas with scars or stretch marks.
Okay, I'm ready.
So wipe the area with your alcohol wipe in a circular motion to clean the area and let it dry naturally. But don't touch this area because you just cleaned it. Do NOT fan or blow on the clean area.
Narrator: Allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions can happen to people who use ORENCIA. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction, which may include hives; swollen face, eyelids, lips, or tongue; or trouble breathing.
Nicole: Remember, only remove the needle cover when you're ready to inject, and don't use the needle if there are signs of damage or bending.
Hold the housing of the syringe with one hand and pull the needle cover straight off with your other hand.
Do not touch the plunger while you remove the needle cover. And don't touch the needle or put the needle cover back on the needle once removed.
Do not let the needle touch any surfaces, and don’t use the syringe if it is dropped with the needle exposed.
Throw away the needle cover in your household trash. Now, there may be a small air bubble in the syringe housing, and that's okay, you don't need to remove it.
You may also notice a drop of fluid leaving the needle. This is also normal and won't affect your dose.
You'll notice that the ORENCIA prefilled syringe with UltraSafe Passive Needle Guard has a square shape and extended finger grips. Hold the housing of the syringe in one hand, between your thumb and your index finger, but don't pull back on the plunger of the syringe.
Use your other hand and gently pinch the area of the skin you cleaned. Hold firmly, insert the needle with a quick motion into the pinched skin at a 45-degree angle.
To inject all of the medicine, use your thumb to push the plunger until the plunger head is pushed in as far as it will go.
Slowly lift your thumb from the plunger head. The needle is completely covered by the needle guard as it is removed from the skin.
Now just remove the syringe and let go of the surrounding skin.
That's it.
If there's a little bleeding, grab a cotton ball or gauze and press on the area. You can even place a bandage on it.
Do not rub the injection site. If you notice a little irritation around the site, that happens sometimes, and the discomfort should be mild to moderate.
If you have any pain, swelling, or discoloration near the injection site, call your doctor.
Now the last part, disposal and recordkeeping.
Narrator: Hepatitis B infection. If you are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus, a virus that affects the liver, the virus can become active while you use ORENCIA.
Your healthcare provider may do a blood test before you start treatment with ORENCIA.
Vaccinations. You should not receive ORENCIA with certain types of vaccines—live vaccines. You can receive non-live vaccines, such as pneumococcal and inactivated influenza (flu) vaccines.
ORENCIA may cause some vaccinations to be less effective. Talk to your healthcare provider about your vaccination plans.
Disposal and Recordkeeping
Nicole: Do not try to put the needle cover back on the needle.
Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for instructions about the right way to throw away used syringes. There may be special local or state laws about how to throw away used syringes.
Put the used syringe into a biohazard container made specifically for disposing of used syringes, called a sharps container.
You can also use a hard plastic container with a screw-on cap, such as an empty detergent bottle, or a metal container with a plastic lid, such as a coffee can.
Sharps containers can be purchased at your local pharmacy or many retail outlets. You can also sign up to get free sharps containers from the makers of ORENCIA.
When the container is full, tape around the cap or lid to make sure the cap or lid does not come off. And don't ever reuse a syringe.
Also, keep your syringes and the disposable container out of the reach of children and pets.
So now you need to write down what you just did.
Write the date, time, and specific part of the body where you injected yourself.
I find it helpful to write down my questions about the injection so I can ask my healthcare provider.
Guess what?
We're done!
I hope this helped you feel more comfortable with your ORENCIA injections.
Remember, if you have any questions, talk to your doctor.
For any questions or concerns about your ORENCIA syringe, call an ORENCIA nurse at 1-800-ORENCIA (1-800-673-6242).
I know this process may seem like a lot to take in but you're not alone. Trust me, you will get the hang of it.
I did.
Mary Jo: And now, for a brief review. First, get ready for the injection. Then choose and prepare an injection site.
Inject ORENCIA. And finally, dispose of your syringe properly and record your injection.
Narrator:
Indications/Usage, and Important Safety Information for ORENCIA.
Indications/Usage.
Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): ORENCIA is a prescription medicine that reduces signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe 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.
In adults, ORENCIA may be used alone or with other RA treatments other than Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.
Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA): ORENCIA reduces signs and symptoms in patients two years of age and older with moderate to severe polyarticular JIA. ORENCIA may be used alone or with methotrexate (MTX).
Adult Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA):
ORENCIA is a prescription medicine that reduces signs and symptoms in adults with active psoriatic arthritis. In adults, ORENCIA may be used alone or with other PsA treatments.
The concomitant use of ORENCIA with other potent immunosuppressants, for example, bDMARDs, JAK inhibitors, is not recommended.
Important Safety Information. Inform your healthcare provider of the following before you receive treatment with ORENCIA:
Infections: If you have any kind of infection, even if it is small, such as an open cut or sore, an infection that is in your whole body, such as the flu, an infection that will not go away, or a history of infections that keep coming back.
ORENCIA may make your immune system less able to fight infections, so you may be more likely to get infections or any infection you have may get worse.
Tuberculosis: If you have had tuberculosis (TB), a positive skin test for TB, or if you have re

On this page:
Understanding your RA
RA and other health conditions
FAQs about RA

[H1] Not everyone with RA is the same
And not everyone should get the same treatment.
Other health conditions may impact your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) journey. It's important to tell your doctor about your complete health picture. This will help you and your doctor find the treatment that is right for you.

Doctor Discussion Guide

[H2] What should I know about moderate to severe RA?
The pain of RA may be invisible to others, but it's very real. The signs of RA can happen in any joint; however, it is more common in the wrists, hands, and feet. Over time, you may start to feel symptoms every day. RA affects your whole body, not just your joints.

Your immune system gets confused and thinks your joints are under attack

It responds by sending signals to launch its own attack, actually harming your own joints

The immune reaction causes symptoms, such as:

Joint stiffness

Joint swelling

Joint pain

If left untreated, the immune system's misguided attack becomes a cycle, causing permanent damage.

[IMG: Portrait of Jennifer, a real patient taking ORENCIA®.]

In 2020, I started experiencing severe pain, first in my shoulder, then spreading to my knees and entire body, leaving me unable to work, drive, or even walk. The pain was intense, and tests showed that my RA was severe. I knew I had to talk to my doctor about my treatment options and I'm so glad I did.
Jennifer: a real patient taking ORENCIA for moderate to severe RA
Patients shown were compensated for their time. Your results may vary.

[H2] Help your doctor get the full health picture
[H3] Make sure they have the information to determine if it's time to try ORENCIA
Your doctor needs to know about your medical history, including other conditions you may have, in order to help find the right RA treatment for you. With more information, they can consider your options and find the treatment that's appropriate for you.

Routine RA assessment
Play an active role in your follow-up visits. Be open with your doctor.
It's important to share your medical history and talk about how RA is impacting your daily activities. Let the doctor know whether you think your current treatments are working the way you hoped.

Joint inflammation

Changes in symptoms

Pain flare-ups

Treatment history & expectations

Discuss health conditions
Don't forget to mention your other health conditions when discussing your treatment plan, including:
• Diabetes
• COPD
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
}
The most common other health conditions in RA are cardiovascular.
You are not alone—up to 9 out of 10 people who have RA may also have other health conditions (comorbidities), compared to 7 out of 10 people without RA.

[IMG: 9 out of 10 people who have RA also have other health conditions.]

This statistic is based on a survey of patients from 2010-2015 that included nearly 3000 patients with RA.
Your doctor may also consider factors like age and high BMI (overweight for your height).

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about RA

What is moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in your joints. It can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. RA is a chronic illness, which means it doesn't go away. Over time, it may lead to permanent joint damage and physical disability. If you've been diagnosed, treatment may help. Learn more about how ORENCIA may help

What causes RA?

RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system overreacts and attacks the healthy tissues in your own body by mistake. In RA, your immune system may target the lining of the joints, also known as the synovium.
The exact cause of RA is unknown. RA may be influenced by many risk factors, including genes, infection, hormonal changes, or environmental factors. Find out more about RA

I know that other health conditions can impact my RA. Has ORENCIA been studied in people with other health conditions?

Yes, ORENCIA studies have included people with a range of health factors, including advanced age, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These studies did not evaluate the safety or effectiveness of ORENCIA in patients with other health conditions. Talk to your doctor about how these factors might influence your treatment plan with ORENCIA.

What are the symptoms of RA?

RA affects the joints in your body, so it can have many symptoms, including joint pain and reduced mobility. Learn more about RA

What can happen if RA is not treated?

If RA is left untreated, it can cause permanent joint damage and loss of function, making everyday tasks difficult. The chronic inflammation may also lead to serious complications, such as heart disease, lung problems, and increased chances of getting infections. Early treatment is crucial to controlling symptoms, protecting joints, and preventing long-term health risks.

How do I know which RA treatment is right for me?

Work with your doctor to consider factors like your symptoms, disease severity, and overall health. Since RA is different for everyone, and not all treatments work the same way, understanding what makes your condition unique can help guide your personalized treatment plan. Your doctor may recommend a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring to find the most effective approach for you.

I want to talk to my doctor about RA treatment. What should I say? What questions should I ask?

When discussing RA treatment with your doctor, you may want to share details about your symptoms, how they affect your daily life, and any concerns you have about your current treatment plan.
Depending on your individual needs, you may ask questions like, "What are my treatment options?" or "How can we tailor a plan to fit my needs?" Don’t hesitate to ask about the benefits and risks of different treatments and how they align with your health goals.

Your time is now
Find out if ORENCIA may be right for you
Living with moderate to severe RA means managing a long-term condition that can get worse without the right treatment. Early diagnosis and care are key to protecting joints and helping prevent further damage.

Doctor Discussion Guide

Learn more about ORENCIA

Support at every step
You don’t have to go through treatment alone, because ORENCIA On Call™  is here to help.

Sign up now

See how it works

[IMG: On Call™ ORENCIA® (abatacept) Support Program logo.]

[IMG: ORENCIA® On Call™ can help patients pay as little as $5 per month for Orencia® medication.]