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abatacept vs indomethacin

Side-by-side comparison of abatacept and indomethacin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
abatacept T-Cell Co-Stimulation Modulator
indomethacin Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Type
abatacept Prescription
indomethacin Prescription
Summary
abatacept

Orencia is a medicine that helps to reduce inflammation. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

indomethacin

Indomethacin is a drug that reduces pain and swelling. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.

What It Treats
abatacept

Orencia treats rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It also treats polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years and older. Orencia can also treat active psoriatic arthritis in patients 2 years and older. Finally, it can prevent acute graft versus host disease after a stem cell transplant.

indomethacin

Indomethacin treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis. It can also help with acute painful shoulder (bursitis or tendinitis) and gouty arthritis. This medicine reduces pain and swelling in your joints.

How It Works
abatacept

Orencia works by blocking the activity of certain immune cells called T cells. These T cells can cause inflammation and damage to your joints and other tissues. By blocking T cell activity, Orencia can help reduce inflammation and relieve your symptoms.

indomethacin

Indomethacin works by blocking substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. These substances are called prostaglandins. By blocking them, indomethacin helps to reduce swelling, pain, and stiffness.

Common Side Effects
abatacept
  • Headache
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
  • Runny nose
  • Nausea
indomethacin
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea
FAERS Reports
abatacept
  • The medicine is not working 38,612
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 23,596
  • Pain 21,295
  • Joint pain 20,151
  • Swollen joint 19,709
indomethacin
  • The medicine is not working 1,369
  • Feeling tired 1,102
  • Joint pain 1,002
  • Head pain 990
  • Using the medicine for a different purpose than approved 939
Serious Warnings
abatacept

Using Orencia with a TNF antagonist or other biologic medicines can raise your risk of serious infections. Tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection, such as fever, cough, or sore throat. Orencia can also cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling, or hives.

indomethacin

Indomethacin may increase your risk of serious heart problems like heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with longer use. You should not take this medicine before or after heart bypass surgery (CABG). Indomethacin can also increase your risk of serious stomach and intestine problems like bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can happen without warning. Elderly patients and those with a history of ulcers or GI bleeding are at higher risk.

Pregnancy
abatacept

There is not enough information about Orencia use in pregnant women to know if it is safe. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

indomethacin

Using indomethacin during the later stages of pregnancy may harm your unborn baby. Limit use between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, and avoid use after 30 weeks. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This abatacept vs indomethacin Comparison

abatacept is classified in the T-Cell Co-Stimulation Modulator drug class, while indomethacin sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, abatacept has 123,363 submissions while indomethacin has 5,402. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between abatacept and indomethacin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.