Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 234
Source: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
1. Guidance
1.1 Abatacept in combination with methotrexate is not recommended for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adults whose disease has responded inadequately to one or more conventional non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including methotrexate.
1.2 People currently receiving abatacept in combination with methotrexate for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, whose disease has responded inadequately to one or more conventional non-biological DMARDs including methotrexate, should have the option to continue treatment until they, and their clinicians, consider it appropriate to stop.
The guidance shown above constitutes Section 1 of the full document. A copy of the full document and a summary of the evidence is available on the Internet at http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA234
An abridged version of this guidance (a 'quick reference guide') is also available. Printed copies of the quick reference guide can be obtained by contacting 0845 003 7783 or emailing publications@nice.org.uk and quoting reference number N2245. It is also available on the Internet at http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA234/QuickRefGuide/pdf/English
This guidance represents the view of the Institute which was arrived at after careful consideration of the available evidence. Health professionals are expected to fully take it into account when exercising their clinical judgement. This guidance does not, however, override the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate decisions in the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer.
© Copyright National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. All rights reserved. This material may be freely reproduced for educational and not for profit purposes within the NHS. No reproduction by or for commercial organisations is permitted without the express written permission of the Institute.
Enquiries concerning the guidance should be addressed to: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, MidCity Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NA. email: nice@nice.nhs.uk
Abatacept for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis after the Failure of Conventional Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs.
Issue Date: August 2011
