Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-live vaccines

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-anakinra
-baricitinib
-canakinumab
-medicines that lower your chance of fighting an infection
-rituximab
-TNF blockers such as adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab
-tocilizumab
-tofacitinib
-upadacitinib
-ustekinumab

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-cancer
-diabetes
-hepatitis B or history of hepatitis B infection
-immune system problems
-infection or history of infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)
-lung or breathing problems, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
-recently received or scheduled to receive a vaccination
-scheduled to have surgery
-tuberculosis, a positive skin test for tuberculosis, or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tuberculosis
-an unusual or allergic reaction to abatacept, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

Visit your doctor for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You will be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before you start this medicine. If your doctor prescribed any medicine for TB, you should start taking the TB medicine before starting this medicine. Make sure to finish the full course of TB medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your doctor or health care professional if you get fever, chills, or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

If you have diabetes and are getting this medicine in a vein, the infusion can give false high blood sugar readings on the day of your dose. This may happen if you use certain types of blood glucose tests. Your health care provider may tell you to use a different way to monitor your blood sugar levels.

Infusions will be given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Storage for syringes and autoinjectors stored at home:
Keep out of the reach of children. Store in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the original container. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not shake. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.