for me, it is cheaper to do the orencia injectibles - my copay is $5 a month. Even with the reimbursement from Orencia for the drug costs, my copay was (I think) still 20% of the "associated costs" at the infusion center (i don't actually remember what it was, but it was more than $5!)
Also, I like the injectibles much better, seems to work for me better than the IV ever did (I've been on it for over a year and at the year mark we were wondering if it was working at all, since I've switched in injections, I can feel a differenc)

Tort

I'm doing injections at home. I signed up for the Orencia card, and I pay $5 a month, for a months worth of injections. I didn't look into the infusions, because with work, it was easier to do injections at home. I took rituxan years ago, and it worked for a good while, until I had a bad reaction. So far, Orencia works okay for me, but I've only been on it a month and a half. The doctor told me it could take up to 5 months to see if it's going to work effectively for me. Best of luck to you!

AB

Hi ELT, very goodquestion. I am on Rituxan now and startedf in January and have had 2 doses thus far. I was reluctant to start on Rituxan because of the interval of time between treatment. For the past three weeks I have been in pain most days and now I have pain and stiffness in both knees which is new and tonight and several days in the past few weeks I have had unbearable pain that is unrelenting even with Tramadol every 2-3 hours. It is not holding me when I am in pain 20/10. I have been on Orencia IV, Cimzia, Simponi, Humira, Remicaide, and Enbrel for various lengths of time and all stopped working fo rme. I have an appt. with my Rheumatologist on June 20th and I called him today and I suggested prednisone. I will go to get xrays of my knees, and I will do that with the rest of my medications and try to hold out until then.

The different biologics work differently in each individual. It is hard to say that the Orencia injection will help you. I hope it will. I cannot immagine being charged that amount for Rituxan. When my insurance sent me the explaination of benefits form, I saw how expensive it was I was in awe. Rituxan does not have an assist program for patients or have you looked into that? What other meds were you on before Rituxan? Also are you on any Dmards?... Hope you are feeling better soon.

hi im shannon, im starting the orencia infusions on june 30th, i would like the contact info to get help paying for the meds. thanks

There's also a difference in the length of time between doses with the Orencia infusion and the Orencia injections. I was having a good couple of weeks after Orencia infusions, but then the effect was wearing off long before the next infusion. Now I'm on the Orencia injections, and since it's every week, I don't have to wait so long between doses. So far, I'm doing well. I hope it would be a good fit for you too, but Rituxan is a different drug altogether, and there's no good way to guess who's going to respond to which drug.