Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 10.12.2013
From: Caroline

Subject: Abatacept as an injection rather than an infusion.

I would welcome any advice on the use of Abatacept (Orencia)in an injectionable form.

From 2005 until now I have been injecting Enbrel and taking Methotrexate to combat the RA which I have had since about 1995. It had proved very successful but in August this year I suffered a bad flare up which continued into December despite a cortisone injection and an "upping" of Methotrexate.

I saw my consultant yesterday and she thinks that the Enbrel is no longer an effective treatment for me (a similar thing happened with Remicade which I had by infusion in the years before starting Enbrel).
She has sent me away with another steroid injection (seems to be working :) )and leaflets to consider:-
1)Rituximab by infusion
2)Tocilizumab by infusion
3)Abatacept -the leaflet states "by monthly infusion" but my consultant has written "weekly injection" and a search does seem to indicate it can now be injected.

My consultant has asked me to choose which I would like to go onto if, indeed, the Enbrel is now failing me.
I would like to know what experience and results others have had of any of these biological therapies. I'm favouring Abatacept mainly because of the convenience of injecting at home which has worked well for me in the past with Enbrel.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
reply | back to forum

Date: 10.12.2013
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Abatacept as an injection rather than an infusion.

hi Caroline , I have had RA since mid 90s as well , been on Enbrel & now on Golimumab (Simponi) which is monthly injections , thought Abatacept was given by intravenous infusion

you could try the helplines on NRAS or Arthritis Care

http://www.nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoid_arthritis/newly_diagnosed/which_drugs_are_used/abatacept_orencia.aspx

http://www.nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoid_arthritis/newly_diagnosed/which_drugs_are_used/biologics_list.aspx
reply | back to forum

Date: 11.12.2013
From: Caroline

Subject: Re: Abatacept as an injection rather than an infusion.

Hello Colin and thanks for getting back to me and I'll check those links before making any decisions.
Yes, Abatacept was once only given by infusion but now it seems, according to the manufacturer's own website www.orencia.com that it can be injected or administered by infusion. My consultant obviously knew this but it must be a relatively new process because many sites describing various drugs used in the treatment of RA only talk about Abatacept being infused. I may never find anyone who HAS had this as an injection on here but I thought it worth asking!
Hoping that YOUR treatment is working well -and thank you.
reply | back to forum

Date: 11.12.2013
From: SL

Subject: Re: Abatacept as an injection rather than an infusion.

Yes abatacept is now available in a weekly injection form. I started 3 weeks ago and have seen a significant improvement some days per week. Few days after injection do not feel so well but very early days yet. Previously been on many DMARDS, Enbrel, Humira, Rituximab and Tocilizumab. Syringe is slightly different as automatic needle withdrawal means plunger is slight harder to press than Enbrel and Humira pre-filled syringes.
reply | back to forum

Date: 12.12.2013
From: Caroline

Subject: Re: Abatacept as an injection rather than an infusion.

Thanks SL.
I actually wondered if I would find anyone at all who had experience of using Abatacept as an injection as it must be a fairly new treatment. I'm glad to learn that it seems to be working for you although I note that you say that you don't feel so well a few days after the injection. Do you mean that you are suffering side effects a few days later or that it doesn't seem so effective at that time?

You seem to have quite an extensive experience of several treatments. I found both Remicade and Enbrel were fantastic for a few years until they suddenly stopped working for me. So saying, having just had my second cortisone injection in two months, I'm feeling much better than when in complete flare-up mode of recent weeks, which makes me feel that the Enbrel might still be working (probably a false impression).

Thanks, too, for your information about the syringe. I can't say I've had any dealings with an automatic needle withdrawal but I'm hoping this won't be a problem.

All this information and advice is very useful in case I have to make a decision to switch treatments in the New Year.
reply | back to forum

Date: 17.12.2013
From: Caroline

Subject: Re: Abatacept as an injection rather than an infusion.

UPDATE. After being on Enbrel since 2006, my next delivery has now been cancelled by the hospital so now, after my injection next Tuesday which will be my last, I enter the "experimental stage" to see if, indeed Enbrel has ceased to work for me. I'm still taking Methotrexate (now going up to 20mg., Naproxen with Lansoprazole) I've also had a cortisone injection within the last ten days which may cloud the issue somewhat as I'm feeling relatively good after having had a bad flare up since August. On February 14th. I will see a consultant nurse to judge whether a)my condition has worsened without the use of Enbrel, therefore, maybe Enbrel is still effective or b)I'm no worse so Enbrel has played no part in improving my condition.

If the latter is true, I am being asked to consider Rituximab, Tocilizumab -both by infusion-or Abatacept by injection (yes, this is now possible).

Thanks for those of you who have given me your advice and experience but I would still be interested to learn your views on these therapies. I'm thinking that Abatacept as an injection may be the way forward -but what do others think?
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

3+10=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board