What is the difference between ABATACEPT and Sarilumab?

ABATACEPT is a Other and Sarilumab is a IL-6 Receptor Inhibitor. They reach a similar treatment goal through different pharmacological mechanisms, which is why one may be tolerated by a patient who could not tolerate the other.

Can ABATACEPT and Sarilumab be used for the same conditions?

Both medications are prescribed for overlapping indications including in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDS). Always verify with your prescriber and the current FDA label before switching.

Is ORENCIA the same as Kevzara?

No. ORENCIA (ABATACEPT) and Kevzara (Sarilumab) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, ABATACEPT or Sarilumab?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from ABATACEPT to Sarilumab?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

ABATACEPT vs Sarilumab

Compare ABATACEPT (ORENCIA) and Sarilumab (Kevzara) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

ABATACEPT

ORENCIA · Other

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Abatacept, a selective costimulation modulator, inhibits T-cell (T lymphocyte) activation by binding to CD80 and CD86, thereby blocking interaction with CD...

Approved for

in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate

biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDS)

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors] is not recommended. ( 1.5

in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate

Intravenous, SubcutaneousTablet

Sarilumab

Kevzara · IL-6 Receptor Inhibitor

How it works

Monoclonal antibody that binds IL-6 receptor, blocking IL-6-mediated inflammatory signalling.

Approved for

Rheumatoid Arthritis

FDA: 2017SubcutaneousInjection

Quick Comparison

ABATACEPTSarilumab

Drug Class

Other

IL-6 Receptor Inhibitor

Route

Intravenous, Subcutaneous

Subcutaneous

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

2017

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

ABATACEPT

Drug Not Working

>10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Rash

1-10%

Hair Loss

0.1-1%

Sarilumab

Drug Not Working

>10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Condition Worsened

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Rash

1-10%

Hair Loss

1-10%

FDA Warnings

ABATACEPT

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Concomitant use with a TNF antagonist can increase the risk of infections and serious infections
2) • Serious infections reported
Discontinue if a serious infection develops
1 Increased Risk of Infection with Concomitant Use of TNF Antagonists, Other Biologic RA/PsA Therapy, or JAK Inhibitors In controlled clinical trials in patients with adult RA, patients receiving concomitant intravenous ORENCIA and TNF antagonist therapy experienced more infections (63% vs

Sarilumab

Serious infections
GI perforations
Neutropenia

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for ABATACEPT vs Sarilumab.

ABATACEPT vs Sarilumab: What You Should Know

Key Differences

ABATACEPT is a Other, while Sarilumab belongs to the IL-6 Receptor Inhibitor class. This means they work through different pharmacological mechanisms, which may influence both efficacy and side effect profiles. ABATACEPT is administered via Intravenous or Subcutaneous, whereas Sarilumab uses Subcutaneous. Route of administration can affect onset of action and patient adherence.

Safety Considerations

ABATACEPT carries 4 FDA warnings. Sarilumab carries 3 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

ABATACEPT vs ADALIMUMAB→ABATACEPT vs TOCILIZUMAB→ABATACEPT vs LEFLUNOMIDE→ABATACEPT vs METHOTREXATE→ABATACEPT vs UPADACITINIB→Sarilumab vs TOCILIZUMAB→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

ABATACEPT: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
Sarilumab: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

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ABATACEPT vs Sarilumab

Compare ABATACEPT (ORENCIA) and Sarilumab (Kevzara) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

ABATACEPT

ORENCIA · Other

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Abatacept, a selective costimulation modulator, inhibits T-cell (T lymphocyte) activation by binding to CD80 and CD86, thereby blocking interaction with CD...

Approved for

in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate

biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDS)

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors] is not recommended. ( 1.5

in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate

Intravenous, SubcutaneousTablet

Sarilumab

Kevzara · IL-6 Receptor Inhibitor

How it works

Monoclonal antibody that binds IL-6 receptor, blocking IL-6-mediated inflammatory signalling.

Approved for

Rheumatoid Arthritis

FDA: 2017SubcutaneousInjection

Quick Comparison

ABATACEPTSarilumab

Drug Class

Other

IL-6 Receptor Inhibitor

Route

Intravenous, Subcutaneous

Subcutaneous

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

2017

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

ABATACEPT

Drug Not Working

>10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Rash

1-10%

Hair Loss

0.1-1%

Sarilumab

Drug Not Working

>10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Condition Worsened

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Rash

1-10%

Hair Loss

1-10%

FDA Warnings

ABATACEPT

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Concomitant use with a TNF antagonist can increase the risk of infections and serious infections
2) • Serious infections reported
Discontinue if a serious infection develops
1 Increased Risk of Infection with Concomitant Use of TNF Antagonists, Other Biologic RA/PsA Therapy, or JAK Inhibitors In controlled clinical trials in patients with adult RA, patients receiving concomitant intravenous ORENCIA and TNF antagonist therapy experienced more infections (63% vs

Sarilumab

Serious infections
GI perforations
Neutropenia

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for ABATACEPT vs Sarilumab.

ABATACEPT vs Sarilumab: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.