Abatacept: How Should I Use Abatacept
Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.
How should I use abatacept?
Abatacept is given as an injection into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional will give you this medicine through an IV needle. Abatacept is given slowly and it will take at least 30 minutes for you to receive the entire dose.
Before you receive this medication, your doctor may require you to have a skin test to make sure you do not have tuberculosis.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
In most cases, this medicine is given every 2 weeks for the first month, and then every 4 weeks after that.
You may need to use other medicines with abatacept to treat your arthritis. Follow your doctors instructions about all medications you are using.
 | Abatacept can cause unusual results with certain blood glucose tests used by diabetics. If you check your blood sugar on the day of your abatacept injection, your results may show a "false-positive" rise in blood glucose. Ask your doctor about the most reliable glucose testing methods to use while you are being treated with abatacept. |
Abatacept can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
| | If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using abatacept. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. |
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| Last updated: | April 30, 2007 |
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© 2007, Cerner Multum, INC. Version: 5.02.
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