ORENCIA side effects

What are the possible side effects of ORENCIA?

This is a list of some of the possible side effects of ORENCIA for your reference.

Talk to your rheumatologist about any side effect that may be bothering you. Your rheumatologist can work with you to manage side effects throughout your treatment.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are those that may require medical treatment or hospitalization, cause permanent damage, or be life-threatening or sometimes even fatal. Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have.

Infections

ORENCIA can make you more likely to get infections or make the infections that you have worse. In some cases, these infections have been fatal. Symptoms of an infection include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Warm, red, or painful skin
  • Feeling very tired
  • Flu-like symptoms

Call your healthcare provider right away if you feel sick or have any of the symptoms of an infection.

Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions can happen with ORENCIA. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

  • Hives
  • Swollen face, eyelids, lips, or tongue
  • Trouble breathing

Seek urgent medical attention if you have any of the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

If you have the hepatitis B virus

Talk to your healthcare provider as hepatitis B can become an active infection while you use ORENCIA. Your rheumatologist may do blood tests before treatment with ORENCIA to check if you have hepatitis B.

If you are receiving or are scheduled to receive vaccinations

It is important to know that:

  • You should not receive live vaccines while taking ORENCIA.
  • You can receive non-live vaccines, such as pneumococcal and inactivated influenza (flu) vaccines.
  • ORENCIA may also cause some other vaccinations to be less effective.

Talk to your rheumatologist about your vaccination plans

If you have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

You may experience breathing problems more often while taking ORENCIA. Call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

  • Worsened COPD
  • Cough
  • Trouble breathing

Certain kinds of cancer

Certain kinds of cancer (malignancies) have been reported in people using ORENCIA. It is not known if ORENCIA increases your chances of developing certain kinds of cancer.

Most common side effects

The most common side effects of ORENCIA include:

  • Headache
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea

In children and adolescents, other side effects may include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain

These are not all of the possible side effects of ORENCIA. If you have any questions or want more information about side effects, ask your rheumatologist or healthcare provider.

If you experience any side effects and would like to report them to the FDA, you can call
1-800-FDA-1088.

Explore your options when it comes to taking ORENCIA