Two medicines, side by side
Abatacept vs certolizumab
Abatacept and certolizumab are both labeled for rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of abatacept since 2005 and of certolizumab since 2008. Pharmacies paid $1,469.23 per mL (Orencia 125 mg/mL syringe) and $6,094.02 per syringe (Cimzia 2x200 mg/mL syringe kit) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, abatacept is a selective t cell costimulation modulator and certolizumab a tumor necrosis factor blocker.
Check it at the source: the abatacept FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2025); the certolizumab FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 24, 2026).
Highlights of the abatacept record
Abatacept (Orencia) · label of November 13, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsORENCIA is a selective T cell costimulation modulator indicated for: • the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). (1.1) • the treatment of patients 2 years of age and older with moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). (1.2) • the treatment of patients 2 years of age and older with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 2005
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $1,469.23 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the certolizumab record
Certolizumab (Cimzia) · label of February 24, 2026
SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY SERIOUS INFECTIONS Patients treated with CIMZIA are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. CIMZIA should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCIMZIA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for: Reducing signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and maintaining clinical response in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy ( 1.1 ) Treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis ( 1.2 ) Treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in patients 2 years of age and older ( 1.3 ) Treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 22, 2008
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $6,094.02 per syringe
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Abatacept label of November 13, 2025, Certolizumab label of February 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do abatacept and certolizumab differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, abatacept is a selective t cell costimulation modulator and certolizumab a tumor necrosis factor blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Abatacept, “Abatacept, a selective costimulation modulator, inhibits T-cell (T lymphocyte) activation by binding to CD80 and CD86, thereby blocking interaction with CD28.”; Certolizumab, “Certolizumab pegol binds to human TNFα with a KD of 90pM.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Abatacept, “Mean estimates for systemic clearance (0.28 mL/h/kg), volume of distribution (0.11 L/kg), and terminal half-life (14.3 …”; Certolizumab, “The terminal elimination phase half-life (t 1/2 ) was approximately 14 days for all doses tested.”
Only the certolizumab label carries a boxed warning.
| Abatacept | Certolizumab | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Rheumatoid arthritis | Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Psoriasis |
| Pharmacologic class | Selective T Cell Costimulation Modulator | Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Abatacept, a selective costimulation modulator, inhibits T-cell (T lymphocyte) activation by binding to CD80 and CD86, thereby blocking interaction with CD28. | Certolizumab pegol binds to human TNFα with a KD of 90pM. TNFα is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine with a central role in inflammatory processes. |
| Half-life (label) | Mean estimates for systemic clearance (0.28 mL/h/kg), volume of distribution (0.11 L/kg), and terminal half-life (14.3 days) were comparable between subcutaneous and intravenous administration. | The terminal elimination phase half-life (t 1/2 ) was approximately 14 days for all doses tested. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 23, 2005 | April 22, 2008 |
| First generic approved | none | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1,469.23 per mL (Orencia 125 mg/mL syringe) | $6,094.02 per syringe (Cimzia 2x200 mg/mL syringe kit) |
| 12-month price change | +2% | +5% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 137,678 | 116,513 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Certolizumab label, drug interactionsAn increased risk of serious infections has been seen in clinical studies of other TNF-blocking agents used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, with no added benefit.
Certolizumab label, warnings and precautionsA higher risk of serious infections was also observed in combination use of TNF blockers with abatacept and rituximab.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to abatacept
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions