User Reviews for Orencia (with maltose) intravenous

No one told me I needed two separate payment assistant cards (one for IV and one for self injections) so Orencia never paid Aetna Pharmacy for the copay portion. I have been dealing with thi bill for almost a year. I have only been given the run-around by staff of Orencia and Aetna Specialty Pharmacy. I tried Orencia through IV and self-injections in which both made my RA condition even worst. It's bad enough they are hounding me for the co-pay of $281 (I did pay the remaining balaance) but it's hard to pay for a drug that made my RA worst. Read More Read Less

I tried Orencia for the first time last Friday via self-inject and I have not felt well since. The day after the injection I was bed-ridden for 2 days unable to get up and move around. When I did, I was out of breath. I could not concentrate and even today, 5 days letter, my brain feels fuzzy. This is my 4th biological drug. I am 35 years old, diagnosed with RA in 1994. Humira worked well for 6 years then stopped, Enbrel for a year and Remicade not at all. All of these drugs give me severe fatigue for days after use. Seeing as Orenica is weekly, I cannot afford to be bedridden for days at a time each week. My doctor says that she has never heard of such reactions, so now I have to start something new altogether. I'm so tired of physicians telling us all that "they have never heard of (insert symptom) that reaction in other patients"- yet here we all are discussing various symptoms such as weight gain, depression, fatigue. I'm frustrated and at my wits end. My disease is severe and active, I've been off work almost 2 years, had joint replacement on my right shoulder and I'm terrified on my future with this disease. Anyone else experience extreme fatigue for days after treatments with biologics? Thank you for your reviews and feedback, makes me feel like I'm not the only one. I hope all of us find relief in the coming days. KristyRead More Read Less

The only thing I can tell it may help sometime is the fatigue I feel. It hasn't slowed down my joint pain or swelling.

This medicine took my lungs. Very dangerious medicine. RA was bad enough but now I have no breath after walking a short distance. I can not lift things or exercise. Soon after it started, I told my doctor I could not bring my groceries inside to my kitchen without being short of breath. Finally he took me off and now I noticed a disclaimer about COPD on the side effects of the new packaging. Don't take this drug. My life will never by the same.

Have had RA for more than 20 years but since menopause it became much worse. Have used Enbrel and Humara Methotraxate etc. Methotraxate created liver issues and Enbrel worked well for more than 5 years. Orencia IV worked great for 2 years; the shots did not work. Now it is no longer working so we are going to a different drug hoping something else will work.

I have been battling with this for about 10 years now..this has been the best product I have used. I also don't like the weight gain..but it's nice to not be swollen and in pain all the time. I still have flair ups, but it's well worth it.

I have had RA for 2 yrs now. On Orencia for a little over 12 mos. The weight gain is very distressing. I also have a terrible time with nausea and fatigue.

I was diagnosed with RA at 15 years old, I'm now 27, and my disease is very severe. I tried methotrexate and Enbrel and they were ineffective, Remicade worked okay for a couple years and then failed. I've been on Orencia for close to 7 years now and for me it is a miracle drug. I very rarely have any pain, stiffness or joint swelling. I now use the subcutaneous injections and they are just as effective as IV and much more convenient. I don't know what I would do if I did not have this drug. With it, I am able to lead a normal active lifestyle.Read More Read Less

RA diagnosed 10 years ago. Tried most of the drugs. Orencia most effective, however, still get occasional flares. Main problem for me is getting multiple mouth sores within 24-48 hours after getting the IV. Very painful, very hard to treat and get rid of.

I have been on a combination of Orencia, mobic and prednisone for over two years. I had to discontinue the infusions because I got basal cell skin cancers on my face and arms. I did research and after taking pprednisone over five years about 60% of people will get basal cell skin cancer.I had surgeries so had to discontinue the infusions. Terrible to go off Orencia. I miss it so much. It helped me tremendously. I was able to cut way back on the other two drugs which cause stomach problems, cataracts, high blood pressure and possibly diabetes. While taking Orencia I had much less fatigue and stiffness in joints. In fact joints felt stronger. Now get pains in arms, wrists, hands, feet. And kness feel like they might actually cave in. Twice I had bad reactions, migraine headache and dizziness. Now they give a 15 minute flush after the IV Orencia. They also start me off with 1000 mg of tylenol & two benadryl.That was the original procedure but the health care professionals didn't adhere to that original protocol. Most people didnt have reactions so of course why spend all that additional time and money for the additional procedure. Can't wait to go back on Orencia again. At times it was like I didn't even have RA. I am 70 years old and it has helped me commute to and hold down a full-time job in a big city. Also I am able to manuever thru an airport and get on a plane and take a few trips a year. I don't feel like I am old and done with. It gave me back my life.Read More Read Less

This is a horrible drug, everytime I took it I landed up in the hospital with some kind of respiratory infection. I wish I had never taken this medication. Please do your research first. I did research, but only about its effectiveness. I want to be around for my sons kids-will never take this again,

My daughter could not take Enbrel. It actually made her worse. Her joints would lock up and get very stiff if she took it. Now, Orencia is doing the same thing. Doctor wants to try one more time, but my daughter stays active and is afraid she won't be able to play basketball for the rest of the season, because now her wrists and shoulders are locking up and feel like they are broken and can't move. Her bottom lip swells each time, and she always has itching. Doctor knows all this, but can something that makes her worse turn around and make her better? Need advice... Read More Read Less

I have been on Orencia for 3 years and it has helped the RA symptoms greatly. My energy level is much better than it was before. My only complaint is that I have gone from 115 pounds to 135 pounds in those 3 years. I am a very small woman and I find this weight gain very upsetting. I am exercising more and eating less, but my weight continues to climb. My doctor refuses to believe the Orencia is causing this gain, but I see by other reviews, I'm not the only one. My doc told me I can go back on methotrexate or try another biological. I'm not sure what to do?!Read More Read Less

have`t seen any difference

Wrote first review on 8/25/12 (right before 4th dose)and nothing has changed.......this drug for me has been awful and dangerous and I will not take it again! Tried to give it time, but during latest dose (my 6th), my blood pressure shot up and I felt like I was having a stroke. Could not get rid of headache with tylenol and ibuprofen. Had to stay and be monitored for extra hour until it returned to normanl. Next day, knee swelled to twice it's size and stayed that way for 3 days. I felt fine prior to receiving my infusion and like I was on death's door halfway thru. Enough! I know the inflammation is dangerous, but I just can't play guinea pig anymore. I am done trying these new meds! Good bye Orencia! I have had adverse reactions to too many of these "man made" chemicals to last a thousand life times, including a bout with Steven's Johnson's. Serious note: one never knows if meds will work unless they are tried. I am just tired right now of trying new ones and the consequences or side effects of them. If they work for any of you, be grateful and I am truly happy for you. I believe we should listen to our bodies as we know them best and ultimately do what one feels is best for them at that given time. Read More Read Less

Have had to reschedule IV twice because of infections. Been on Orencia for 10 mo. After each infusion my DEPRESSION gets worse. I am going to have to stop the med even tho it helps with swelling and pain. "Choose your poison."

Been on Orencia infusion for 2 years. No problems, no side effects. I just hope it continues working as well as it has up until now. I'm still working and just get tired some days. I'm sure I'd be in much worse shape without it.

I have felt worse with each infusion. Bad headache, muscle cramps and abdominal pain. Chills as well as fatigue. Scheduled to take 4th treatment Monday, 27th and terrified. Have tried Enbrel, Humira, Methotrexate; all with bad side effects. Currently on Arava and Plaquenil (along with Orencia). Felt best on just those two, but x-rays and blood counts show active disease with erosions and inflammation. Believe the toxicity of all of these drugs slowly kills. It is a double edged sword...............dammed if you take, dammed if you don'tRead More Read Less

I am 37 years old. Rheumatologist thinks I have had RA since my 20s but have only been diagnosed for 5 years or so. I am not the traditional RA patient because all my blood work is negative but my MRI shows erosions. I started on methotrexate which affected my liver. I then started Arava which had to be increased then Plaquenil added to it. I have been on prednisone off and on and hate the side effects. I also tried enbrel injections, they worked for around 6 months then started Cimzia injections with the same time frame. I then started Orencia infusions. At the time I drove 2 hours to get them which was not convenient. I switched to Orencia injections when they came out. The injections did not work as well as the infusions. I have switched back to the infusions and have had good results. I have gained a little weight but I don't think it is necessarily from the Orencia. I have found a closer doctor and now drive 40 minutes to get the infusions. I don't have any major side effects. I am exhausted after getting the infusion and have a slight headache but it only lasts a day or so. I am still taking Arava, Plaquenil, and the Orencia infusions. So far I have had no major infections or side effects. I have had chronic bursitis in my right hip but I am satisfied with the effects of the Orencia. I am praying for a cure and safer treatments for everyone. I am also a registered nurse and have seen the long term effects of RA and it scares me.Read More Read Less