Chest infection and Orencia

[Living-in-the-moment]

Hi, can anyone help? I have got a chest infection and am taking antibiotics, I hate to have to miss my Orencia injection (due today), should I still take it or wait for the infection to go? Thanks

[Madmusiclover]

Were you given an information leaflet or sheet when you started your drug? If it’s an immunosuppressant chances are you should stop it til you are better.

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to Madmusiclover]

Thankyou.

[Neonkittie17]

Abatacept/Orencia sub-cut is my biologic med. It is a high level biologic and is immunosuppressive. It interferes with your T cell signalling which results in a lower count and them not working as effectively. I personally wouldn’t inject Abatacept whilst on a course of antibiotics but would phone your rheumy nurse first thing Monday and ask them.

[thelmar in reply to Neonkittie17]

I have a monthly infusion of abatacept and the hospital won’t give it to me when I am on antibiotics.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to thelmar]

I take a three times weekly small dose of prophylactic antibiotics which is approved by my rheumyto take whilst on Abatacept but I’d not take a full higher spec dose of abxfor an infection whilst suppressing my immune on Abatacept. I would just confirm with my rheumy when to resume it.

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks

[thelmar in reply to Neonkittie17]

I take similar - half a tablet every evening because of recurring UTIs.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to thelmar]

Mine is to stop bronchitis.

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks

[wilbertjellyfish]

Definitely don't take it. It will effect your body's ability to fight the infection. I understand it's awful not taking it when you are on abx but it's really important not to Hope your chest is better soon.

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

Thanks

[aliplayspiano]

I am on a different biologic (tocilizumab) and have always been told to pause the injections if on antibiotics. I have had two chest infections in the last couple of months so have had to miss a few doses. The GP I saw for the latest one also checked that I was going to stop my injections until the infection had cleared.

[Living-in-the-moment]

Thanks

[MerielPB]

Yes, you should stop it. I recently had an infection in my foot, which eventually needed an operation to remove. I had to stop abatacept & mtx once on antibiotics.

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to MerielPB]

Thank you

[MerielPB in reply to Living-in-the-moment]

You're welcome

[barbieg]

I’ve just finished a 3 day course of antibiotics. I was due to inject Idacio (a bio similar) so mentioned to the para medic , couldn’t get a dr. appointment so had to settle for a phone consultation. She asked the dr and assured me I could do my injection with no problem. I’m new to injecting and was sure I’d read you shouldn’t inject if taking antibiotics so emailed my consultants secretary to check. She emailed me back to say never inject when on antibiotics! It’s a good job I trusted my instincts.