abatacept vs upadacitinib
Side-by-side comparison of abatacept and upadacitinib Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Orencia
Rinvoq
Orencia is a medicine that helps to reduce inflammation. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Rinvoq contains upadacitinib and it is a medicine that reduces inflammation in your body. It is used to treat several conditions, including arthritis and Crohn's disease.
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.
Rinvoq can treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis (eczema), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and giant cell arteritis. It is used when other medicines, like TNF blockers, have not worked well enough. For ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, you should have tried at least one other approved medicine before using Rinvoq if TNF blockers are not suitable for you.
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.
Rinvoq is a JAK inhibitor. It works by blocking certain enzymes in your body called Janus kinases (JAKs). By blocking these enzymes, Rinvoq helps to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of the conditions it treats.
- • Headache
- • Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
- • Runny nose
- • Nausea
- • Upper respiratory tract infections (like a cold)
- • Acne
- • Herpes simplex (cold sores)
- • Headache
- • Increased blood creatine phosphokinase
- The medicine is not working 38,612
- Rheumatoid arthritis 23,596
- Pain 21,295
- Joint pain 20,151
- Swollen joint 19,709
- Pain 4,942
- Joint pain 4,342
- Medicine not working 4,175
- COVID-19 3,131
- Rheumatoid arthritis 3,037
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.
Rinvoq can cause serious side effects, including serious infections, cancer, blood clots, major heart problems, and death. Your doctor will check you for tuberculosis before you start Rinvoq. Tell your doctor if you have any symptoms of infection, such as fever, cough, or fatigue. If you have a heart attack or stroke, stop taking Rinvoq.
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.
Rinvoq may harm your unborn baby. You should use effective birth control while taking Rinvoq and for some time after your last dose. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed while taking Rinvoq.
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How to Read This abatacept vs upadacitinib Comparison
abatacept is classified in the T-Cell Co-Stimulation Modulator drug class, while upadacitinib sits within the JAK Inhibitor 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 upadacitinib has 19,627. 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 upadacitinib — 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.