abatacept vs sarilumab
Side-by-side comparison of abatacept and sarilumab Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Orencia is a medicine that helps to reduce inflammation. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Kevzara is a medicine that can help treat rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It works by blocking a protein in your body that causes inflammation.
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.
Kevzara treats rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults when other medicines have not worked well enough. It also treats polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in adults when steroids don't work or can't be lowered. Kevzara can also treat active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children who weigh at least 63 kg.
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.
Kevzara is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist. This means it blocks the IL-6 receptor. By blocking this receptor, Kevzara reduces inflammation in your body.
- • Headache
- • Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
- • Runny nose
- • Nausea
- • Low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
- • Increased liver enzyme levels
- • Redness at the injection site
- • Upper respiratory infections
- • Urinary tract infections
- The medicine is not working 38,612
- Rheumatoid arthritis 23,596
- Pain 21,295
- Joint pain 20,151
- Swollen joint 19,709
- The medicine is not working 5,591
- Pain 5,313
- Joint pain 4,655
- Rheumatoid arthritis 4,395
- Swollen joint 4,362
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.
Kevzara can increase your risk of serious infections that could lead to hospitalization or death. Tell your doctor if you have an active infection before starting Kevzara. Your doctor should test you for tuberculosis (TB) before you start Kevzara. If you get a serious infection, your doctor will stop Kevzara treatment until the infection is controlled.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Kevzara will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Kevzara during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How to Read This abatacept vs sarilumab Comparison
abatacept is classified in the T-Cell Co-Stimulation Modulator drug class, while sarilumab sits within the IL-6 Receptor Antagonist 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 sarilumab has 24,316. 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 sarilumab — 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.