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abatacept vs meperidine

Side-by-side comparison of abatacept and meperidine 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
meperidine Opioid Analgesic
Type
abatacept Prescription
meperidine 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.

meperidine

Meperidine is a strong pain medicine. It is used to treat severe, acute pain when other pain medicines are not strong enough.

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.

meperidine

Meperidine is used to manage acute pain that is severe enough to need an opioid pain medicine. It is for use when other treatments do not work well enough. Meperidine should not be used for chronic, long-lasting pain. Taking meperidine for a long time may increase the risk of seizures.

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.

meperidine

Meperidine is an opioid agonist. It works by binding to receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This reduces the feeling of pain.

Common Side Effects
abatacept
  • Headache
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
  • Runny nose
  • Nausea
meperidine
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
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
meperidine
  • Allergic reaction to the drug 3,248
  • Drug not working 1,271
  • Pain 1,250
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,133
  • Using the drug for a condition it is not approved for 861
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.

meperidine

Meperidine has a boxed warning. This means it has serious risks. These risks include: Medication errors that can cause overdose, addiction, abuse, and misuse, life-threatening respiratory depression, accidental ingestion (especially by children) can cause a fatal overdose, dangerous effects when taken with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Make sure you read the Medication Guide.

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.

meperidine

Taking meperidine for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Meperidine is not recommended during or right before labor because it can cause breathing problems in the baby.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This abatacept vs meperidine Comparison

abatacept is classified in the T-Cell Co-Stimulation Modulator drug class, while meperidine sits within the Opioid Analgesic 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 meperidine has 7,763. 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 meperidine — 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.