Who can administer
May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife
Important information
- Should not be initiated in patients with active infections until infections are controlled
- Before the administration of each dose, the patient should be examined for the presence of infection, and consideration given to delaying treatment should infection be present
- In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.
- Monitoring requirements - see below
- Note: This drug is also available as a subcutaneous injection- doses are not interchangeable for the different formulations
Available preparations
Orencia 250 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Reconstitution
Water for Injection
10mL per 250mg vial
- MUST USE the silicone-free disposable syringe provided with each vial and an 18-21 gauge needle.
- Rotate with gentle swirling until the contents are completely dissolved
- DO NOT SHAKE
- Vent the vial with a needle to dissipate any foam that may be present
- Only use the solution if it is clear and colourless to pale yellow
Infusion fluids
Sodium chloride 0.9%
Methods of intravenous administration
Intermittent Intravenous Infusion
- From a 100mL bag of Sodium Chloride 0.9%, withdraw a volume equal to the volume of the dose (for 2 vials remove 20mL, for 3 vials remove 30mL, for 4 vials remove 40mL).
- Maximum permitted concentration is 10mg per mL
- Slowly add the reconstituted abatacept from each vial into the infusion bag using the same silicone-free disposable syringe provided with each vial, and gently mix
- Administer using an infusion set with a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low protein binding filter (pore size 0.2 to 1.2micron). e.g. Baxter RMC 9614 line with an extension set plus a Braun Sterifix 0.2micrometer infusion filter ref. no. 4099303.
- Administer required dose over 30 minutes
Dose in adults
Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis
| Dosing information |
| Body weight |
Dose |
Number of vials |
| Less than 60kg |
500mg |
2 |
| 60 to 100kg |
750mg |
3 |
| Greater than 100kg |
1000mg |
4 |
- The dose should be repeated two and four weeks after the first infusion, then every 4 weeks thereafter
Monitoring
- Please also consult Medication Protocol: Management of Infusion Related Patient Reactions in nurse-led infusion settings in GUH. QPulse
- Monitor patient for infusion related reactions for one hour from the start of the infusion (ref 1)
Further information
- Can interfere with some readings of blood glucose monitor (ref 2)
Storage
- Store vials at 2-80C in the original packaging to protect from light
References
SPC Orencia 01 February 2022
1: Abatacept Prescription sheet - Rheumatology day ward Updated February 2014
2: Injectable medicines information guide Medusa September 26 2022
Therapeutic classification
Immunosuppressant
