• It is given as a monthly infusion in the infusion center or as a weekly injection below the skin.
• It can control serious lupus disease in blood vessels, skin, joints and other organs. It also improves quality of life and function.
• Abatacept has rare side effects, such as:

  –Infusion reaction while receiving the infusion such as skin itching or rash.

  –Rarely, infusion reactions can be severe and cause hives, headache, chills, fever, shortness of breath, throat or tongue swelling, difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure.

  –Serious infections