Replacing Belatacept with Abatacept

[Oceansideup]

Hi fellow transplant friends,

I have been on bela infusion therapy since transplant. Things are going well but finding good veins is becoming more and more difficult, as even before transplant I was hard to stick.

I brought this up with my transplant doc on my last visit and I asked about the advisability of getting a port at some point in the future. I can see by how things are going I may need this. His answer surprised me.

He told me to hold off on that decision for now as in the future it may be possible for me to switch to a similar drug, Abatacept, which is a weekly injectable. Huh.

I did some research and found a few studies that are indeed looking at this. Has anyone else out there on Bela heard of this possibility?

Thanks

[LisaSnow]

French had success with it. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Oceansideup in reply to LisaSnow]

Yep, and I believe there is a trial at Emory testing it as well.

[Transplant2018]

I've also been on Belatacept for years, and have small veins that roll around making me difficult to stick. (One thing that seems to help somewhat is if I drink a LOT of water beforehand.) I hadn't heard of Abatacept, but having an injectable would be great. Thanks for the encouraging information.

[LavenderRabbit]

Yes, I’m at Emory. My doctor told me about it. He said that I could do it if I wanted to. He did say I would be giving myself the shot at home. Something to think about.

[Oceansideup in reply to LavenderRabbit]

Good to know. Did your doc happen to say what type of injection? Intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous?

I only ask because I am needle squeamish. But I think I could be okay with 2 out of the three choices…

[LavenderRabbit in reply to Oceansideup]

No, sorry.

[Transplant2018 in reply to Oceansideup]

The French article said subcu injections.

[Bouvierlover2]

really?!?!? I am on Belatacept for my transplant but I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis so abatacept would be great!!!! Would it be more cost effective? I must look into this!!!! Thank you!!!!

[Oceansideup in reply to Bouvierlover2]

I know. I’m excited too! But cautiously so. Need more info. If I find out anything else, I will post.

[Bouvierlover2 in reply to Oceansideup]

Thank you!!!

[LavenderRabbit in reply to Bouvierlover2]

Just curious. Why would arthritis make a difference?

[Bouvierlover2 in reply to LavenderRabbit]

Abatacept ( sp) is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis so for me it would be a medication that is beneficial to my kidney and help my arthritis!

[Hawk12]

One POSSIBLE issue is that I have no copay for Belatacept with Medicare and my secondary. An injection at home would probably be treated differently, insurance wise.