Latest Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment, Abatacept

Abatacept (orencia) is a costimulation modulator and it may give hope for the people that haven't felt the effect of other medications.

This medicine was approved in 2005 by FDA to be used for severe or moderate arthritis.

What is the way abatacept and its class work?

T – cells, that important part of the immune system that fight viruses, bacteria and other damaging external factors, represent the target of abatacept because they are also thought to cause rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

So, the goal of abatacept and other co stimulants is to inactivate the t – cells by blocking its stimuli, which drives to the prevention of the inflammation. Once one of their stimuli is blocked, T – cells are no longer able to hurt and to inflame the articulations.

 

What people may use abatacept?

Abatacept was proved by the studies to diminish the symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis and also to reverse the process of articulation damage.

The only medicine of the co stimulation modulator class approved in the U.S. for the people that tried in vain to treat their moderate or severe arthritis by means of methotrexate, TNF – alpha inhibitors that include etanercept (eubrel), adalimumab (humira) and infliximab (remicade) is abatacept.

The method of administration for abatacept is intravenous therapy. One injection takes around 30 minutes and in the first phase of the treatment a weekly dose is required to decrease later to one dose in two weeks. There are cases in which it is necessary for abatacept to be combined with methotrexate. The abatacept is not recommended for persons with obstructive pulmonary disorders – because it triggers the symptoms – and neither to the persons that are on TNF – alpha inhibitors.

The side effects of abatacept are very severe. The decision of taking this treatment must be given a serious thinking to establish whether the benefits are more numerous than the side effects. Your doctor will be able to help you make the correct decision, so you should consult him.

The side effects that abatacept may generate are the following:

  • - Coughing
  • - Pain of the back
  • - Headache
  • - Dizziness
  • - Nausea
  • - High blood pressure
  • - Pain of the hands and feet
  • - Rash
  • - Urinary tract infection
  • - Upper respiratory tract infections.

 

It is possible in isolated cases for these medicines to cause also:

  • - Infections generated by its interference with the T – cells that form a really important part of the immune system. The infections may be of the respiratory tract, sinus infection, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, the flu and even pneumonia.
  • - Cancer of the lung and lymphoma are at increased risk by the use of abatacept.
  • The causes of RA are still not clear to researchers but, despite that fact, they continue to find other medicines for its treatment. Abatacept confirmed the role of T – cells in this disorder, but the research continues so that T – cells may be slowed or stopped from activating.