Humira (Adalimumab)
Generic name: adalimumab (Subcutaneous route)
Drug class: Antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
Humira (adalimumab) is a tumour necrosis factors (TNF) inhibitor that decreases the impact of a chemical in the body that may cause inflammation.
Brand Names
In the U.S.
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antirheumatic
Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody
Uses for Humira
Humira injections are used to treat symptoms and stop the progression of active rheumatoid arthritis as well as ankylosing spondylitis. It is prescribed to young children age 2 or older to treat juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. The medicine can also be utilized to manage psoriatic arthritis which is a kind of arthritis that causes swelling and pain in joints, as well as areas of skin that are scaly that appear on specific parts of the body. Psoriatic arthritis typically manifests as an inflammatory skin condition called Psoriasis. Adalimumab can be administered on its own or in conjunction with other medications (eg methotrexate, DMARDs, and DMARDs).
Humira injections are also utilized to treat symptoms of Crohn’s disease that is active in adults and children 6 years old or older who haven’t been treated with other medications such as infliximab. It can also be used for treating moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in adults as well as children aged 5 years and over who have been treated with other drugs (eg corticosteroids, azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine) which did not perform as well.
Humira injections can also be employed to combat chronic plaque psoriasis which is a skin condition that causes white and red spots that don’t go away. It can also be used to treat severe to moderate hyperhidrosis, a chronic skin condition that causes small, painful lumps underneath the skin for adults and children of age or older. It is also employed to manage non-infectious intermediate panuveitis and posterior sclerosis in children and adults aged 2 years and above.¶
This medication is only available on prescription from your physician.
Prior to using Humira,
In making a decision to take a medication, the potential risks of using the medication must be evaluated against the good it can do. This is a choice that you and your physician take. In this case, to be considered, the following factors should be assessed:
Allergies
Discuss with your physician If you’ve ever experienced an unusual reaction or reaction to this medication or any other medication. Inform your health care specialist if you suffer from any other allergies, like dyes, food preservatives, animals, or dyes. For non-prescription medications, look over the label or ingredient list carefully.
Pediatric
The studies that have been conducted so far have not revealed issues that are specific to children, which could hinder the efficacy of adalimumab to the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis as well as non-infectious Uveitis in children aged 2 years of age or older to aid in treatments for the management of Crohn’s disease in children aged 6 years old or older as well as to aid in the treatment of ulcerative colitis in children 6 years old and older, for the cure of ulcerative colitis in children five years old and over or to aid in use in the treatment of hidradenitis-suppurativa for children 12 years of old and over.
However, safety and effectiveness are not known for children younger than 2 years old for juvenile idiopathic arthritis or non-infectious Uveitis, in children who are younger than 5 years old in the case of ulcerative colitis for children younger than 6 years old for Crohn’s disease children who are younger than 12 years of age with hidradenitis suppurativa as well as in children with different conditions.
Geriatric
The studies that have been conducted up to now haven’t revealed specific geriatric issues that could restrict the use of adalimumab for the elderly. However, this medication could cause serious illnesses and cancer particularly in older people that may need to be supervised for patients who receive an injection of adalimumab.
Breastfeeding
There aren’t enough research studies of women that can determine the risk to infants when taking this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the benefits and the risk of using this medication during nursing.
Interactions with medications
While certain medications should not be taken together, however, there are instances where two medicines can be taken together, even if interactions could occur. In these situations, the doctor may decide to alter the dosage or make other precautions needed. If you are taking this medication it is essential to inform your healthcare provider that you are using any one of these medications mentioned below.
The following interactions were determined based on their potential impact and are not meant to be comprehensive.
Combining this medication in conjunction with the following medications is generally not advised, however it may be required in certain instances. If two medicines are prescribed in conjunction and your doctor recommends a change in the dosage or frequency you take one or both of the medications.
- Abatacept
- Adenovirus Vaccine
- Anakinra
- Anifrolumab-fnia
- Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
- Baricitinib
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
- Infliximab
- Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
- Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
- Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
- Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
- Rilonacept
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
- Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Smallpox Vaccine
- Tofacitinib
- Typhoid Vaccine, Live
- Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
- Zoster Vaccine, Live
Interactions with food, tobacco and alcohol
Certain medications shouldn’t be used during or in conjunction with taking food, or eating specific kinds of food, as interactions can happen. Smoking or drinking alcohol in conjunction together with certain medications can create interactions. Talk with your healthcare provider about the interaction of your medication when you are taking it with alcohol, food, or tobacco.
Other medical conditions
The presence of any other medical conditions could affect the effectiveness of this medication. It is important to inform your physician if you suffer from any other medical conditions including:
- Blood disorders (eg Aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, the thrombocytopenia)
- Congestive heart failure
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Infections (fungal or bacteria)
- Leukopenia (low amount of white blood cells)
- Multiple sclerosis,
- Optic neuritis (eye issue)
- Psoriasis (skin disease)–Use with care.
- The active form of cancer
- Chronic obstructive lung disease
- Granulomatosis polyangiitis – Use with cautiousness. It may increase the likelihood of developing new cancers.
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis B and its history or Opportunistic infections
- Active Infection–This Should not be used by patients with this condition.
- Tuberculosis is active and should be treated before taking this medication.
Proper use of Humira
This section provides details on the proper usage of several products that contain the ingredient adalimumab. It might not be applicable to Humira. Be sure to read the article with care.
The Humira is administered in the form of a shot that is injected under your skin. Adalimumab is sometimes administered in the home of patients that do not require to visit a clinic or hospital. If you’re taking the medicine from home, the physician or nurse will instruct you on how to prepare and inject the drug. Make sure you know how to utilize the medicine.
The medicine includes the Medication Guide and patient instructions for use leaflet. Follow the directions carefully. Talk to your doctor if have any concerns.
If you decide to use this medicine at home it will show you the body parts where this shot is available. You should use a different area of your body every time you give your child or yourself an injection. Be aware of the location you administer each shot to ensure you rotate your body parts. This will prevent skin issues.
Avoid injecting in areas of your skin that are bruised, red or hard. They may be tender or even hard. If you suffer from psoriasis don’t inject it into an enlarged, thick or red skin patch or lesions.
Humira is available in two types. You can utilize either a pen or a prefilled Syringe.
To make use of to use the pen or syringe:
- Begin by gathering the things you’ll need on a flat, clean surface with a towel or a cloth towel in a brightly lit area.
- Cleanse your hands with soap and water prior to and after you use this medicine.
- The carton should be removed using the pen or syringe from the refrigerator and put it on the paper.
- Give 15 to 30 hours for your syringe, or pen to reach ambient temperature. Don’t warm the medicine by any other method.
- Don’t take off the needle cap from the syringe or pen that has been filled while allowing the medication to be at temperatures of room temperature. Take them off immediately prior to use.
- Examine the liquid inside the pen or syringe with the window for viewing. It must be clear and uncoloured. If it’s cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles floating around it don’t make use of the pen or syringe.
- Make sure that the amount of liquid contained in the pen is identical or near to the line that is visible in the window. The fill line displays the full amount of medication. If the pen doesn’t contain all the liquid, don’t apply it. Contact your pharmacist.
- In the event that the fluid is clean place it on a dry flat surface. Don’t shake the medication.
- Examine the expiration date on the pen or syringe and ensure that it hasn’t expired. Don’t use the medication in the event that the expiration date has expired.
- Select an injection location within your body (eg the stomach, thigh or region). Cleanse the injection site using new alcohol wipes and allow it to dry.
- The cap or needle cover once you are in a position to inject. Inject the full amount of medicine within a couple of seconds after the cover or cap have been removed.
- There may be a tiny amount of liquid or blood near the site of injection. Hold a clean, dry cotton ball over the injection area for 10 seconds, however, do not rub it.
Dosing
The dosage of Humira is different depending on the patient. Follow the doctor’s instructions or the instructions printed on your prescription. The information below is only the doses that are typical of this medication. If your dose differs you should not alter it unless your doctor instructs you to change it.
The quantity of medication you consume is contingent on how strong the drug is. In addition, the number of doses you will take every day, the interval between doses, as well as the duration of time that you use the medicine depend on the medical condition that you’re treating with the medication.
- For injection dosage forms (pen or prefilled syringe):
- To treat Crohn’s disease:
- For children and adults 6 years old or older with a weight of 40 kg (kg) or more (week (0) the dosage is 160 milligrams (mg) administered under the skin in doses that are divided. It can be administered as 4 shots in one day or two shots per day for two days. After 2 weeks the dose is 80 mg is administered. A dose of maintenance that is 40 mg will be administered at week 4 and each next week after that.
- Children aged 6 or older who weigh 17 kg and less than 40kg–At the beginning (week zero) Inject 80 mg into the skin doses that are divided. It is possible to give two injections in one day. After 2 weeks it is a dose of mg is administered. A dose of maintenance in 20 mg dose is administered at week 4 and each next week after that.
- Children who are younger than 6 years old – Use and dosage must be approved by your physician.
- For hidradenitis suppurativa:
- Adults: At the beginning (week 1) the dosage is 160 milligrams (mg) administered beneath the skin, in doses that are divided. It can be administered in the form of four shots per day or two shots daily for two days. Two weeks later an amount of 80 mg is administered. A daily dose of 40 mg each one week, or every two weeks 80 mg beginning at week 4.
- Children aged 12 years or older who weigh 60 kg (kg) or more – Dose is determined by body weight and must be prescribed by your physician. Initial (week 1) 160 mg is injectable into the skin doses that are divided. It can be administered in the form of four shots per day or two shots a day for two days. After 2 weeks an amount of 80 mg is administered. A dose of maintenance of 40 mg per one week, or every two weeks 80 mg beginning in week 4.
- Children aged 12 years or older who weigh 30 kg to 59 kg – Dose is based on body mass and must be prescribed by your physician. Initial (Day 1) the dose is 80 mg under the skin. Then, 40 mg is given on Day 8. A daily dose that is 40 mg will be administered every week.
- Children under 12 years old or who weigh less than 30 kilograms–Use and dosage must be approved by your physician.
- To treat juvenile arthritis
- Children between 2 and 17 years old weighing 30 kg (kg) or more than 40 milligrams (mg) are administered under the skin each every week.
- Children between 2 and 17 years old weighing 15 to 30 kg or less – 20 mg are administered under the skin each week.
- Children between 2 and 17 years old weighing between 10 to 15kg–10 mg of administered under the skin each once a week.
- Children less than 2 years old or who weigh less than 10kg–The dosage and dosage must be determined by your doctor.
- For plaque psoriasis:
- Adults: At first the dose is 80 milligrams (mg) subcutaneously under the skin. After that, 40 mg one week following the initial dose and each one week thereafter.
- Children–Use and dosage must be determined by your physician.
- For rheumatoid, psoriatic arthritis or for Ankylosing Spondylitis:
- Adults: 40 milligrams (mg) administered under the skin each week. Your physician may alter the dose if needed. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who aren’t taking methotrexate might take 40 mg every week, or 80 mg every two weeks.
- Children–Use and dosage must be decided by your physician.
- To treat ulcerative colitis
- Adults – At first (week 1) 160-milligrams (mg) are injectable into the skin doses that are divided. It can be administered as four shots within one day or two shots every day for two days. Two weeks later an amount of 80 mg is administered. A dose of maintenance at 40 mg is taken at week 4 and each next week after that.
- For children five years old or older who weigh 40 kg (kg) or more (Day 1) 160 mg is administered under the skin in one dose over the course of a day or divided doses. It could be given in the form of four shots over one day or two doses per day for two days. Then, 80 mg is administered on the 8th day and on the 15. A daily dose of 80 mg every second week or 40 mg each week begins in the week of 4. (Day 29).
- Children aged 5 or older who weigh 20 to 40 kilograms. At first (Day 1) the dose is 80 mg under the skin. After that, the dose increases to 40 mg after Day 8, and then Day 15. A daily dose of 40 mg once a week or 20 mg each week begins in Week four (Day 29).
- Children under 5 years old – Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
- For uveitis:
- Adults–Initially the dose is 80 milligrams (mg) administered under the skin. After that, 40 mg one week following the first dose and every two weeks thereafter.
- Children aged 2-17 years old weighing 30 kg (kg) or more than 40 milligrams (mg) injectable under the skin each every week.
- Children aged 2-17 years old weighing 15 to 30 kg, -20 mg of injected into the skin once every two weeks.
- Children aged 2-17 years old weighing between 10 to 15 kilograms—10 mg of injected under the skin each week.
- Children who are younger than 2 years or who weigh less than 10 kilograms–Use and dosage should be approved by your physician.
- To treat Crohn’s disease:
Missed dose
If you have missed the dose of this medication make sure you take it as quickly as you can. But, if it’s close to the time for the next dose, you can skip the missed dose and then go back to your usual dose schedule. Don’t double dose.
Storage
Keep your items out of children’s reach.
Avoid keeping outdated medicines or medications that are no longer needed.
Consult your physician about what you can do with any medication you don’t make use of.
Keep your food in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Store the medicine in the original container to shield it from light. Avoid using it if it’s been frozen or frozen or thawed. If you’re travelling, you can keep this medicine at room temperature for up to 14 days. Discard any medicine that is not used in 14 days. Don’t store the medicine in extreme cold or heat temperatures.
Dispose of used syringes and pen in a solid closed container, which the needles won’t get through. Keep the container clear of pets and children.
Safety precautions when using Humira
If you plan to use this medication for a long duration, it is very vital that your doctor monitor your child’s or your own progress regularly. This will allow your physician to determine if the medication is working correctly and determine whether or not you should keep using it. Urine and blood tests could be required to determine undesirable adverse effects.
Your child or you may require an examination of the skin for tuberculosis prior to using this medication. Inform your doctor that you or anyone else within your household has ever experienced a positive reaction after tuberculosis skin tests.
Adalimumab will temporarily reduce the amount of cells called white present in your blood. This could increase the risk of contracting an infection. It may also decrease the number of platelets that are essential for blood clotting. If this happens it is important to take certain precautions you can follow, particularly those with a lower blood count to decrease the chance of bleeding or infection:
- If you can, stay clear of those who have illnesses. Talk to your doctor immediately in the event that either you or your children suspect you may be suffering from an infection, or in the event that you develop an illness that causes chills or fever cough, hoarseness or hoarseness low back pain or side discomfort or painful or difficult urination.
- Talk to your doctor immediately if you or your child are experiencing unusual bleeding or bruising, dark or tarry stool blood in stool or urine or the appearance of red spots in your face.
- Be cautious when using your regular brush, floss or toothpick. Your dentist, medical professional or nurse might suggest alternative methods to cleanse your gums and teeth. Talk to your doctor prior to having any dental procedure performed.
- Don’t contact either your eye or your nostrils unless you’ve just cleaned your hands and haven’t touched any other thing in the interim.
- Be cautious not to injure yourself while making use of sharp objects, like the safety razor, toenail or fingernail cutters.
- Avoid contact sports or any other circumstances where injury or bruising might occur.
Do not take any other medications until they’ve been discussed with your physician. using abatacept (Orencia(r)) or anakinra (Kineret(r)) along with this medication may increase the risk of severe adverse negative effects.
The medicine could cause undesirable effects that do not manifest until months or even years after this medication is administered. There are a few individuals (including teenagers and children) who have taken this kind of medication have been diagnosed with specific types of cancer (eg leukemia, for example).
Certain patients have also been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, known as lymphoma. Consult your physician in the event that either you or your kid has strange bleeding, bruises or weakness, swelling of lymph nodes on your neck or underarms or groin area, or unresolved weight loss. Additionally, talk to your doctor immediately in the event that your child’s skin bumps that are red, scaly or bumps that have a lot of pus.
Adalimumab can cause severe allergic reactions (eg anaphylaxis or angioneurotic edema) that could be life-threatening and require immediate medical treatment. Consult your physician right now in the event that the child or you has an illness that makes swallowing difficult dizziness, fast heartbeat or a large, hive-like swell around the eyes, face and lips, tongue and the throat, hands, legs feet, sex organs and a rash, itching, difficulties breathing, or weakness or fatigue after you’ve received the medication.
Talk to your doctor now if you notice that either you or your kid is suffering from swelling in the feet, face, fingers or lower legs or suddenly increased weight. This could be a sign of a heart problem known as congestive heart insufficiency (CHF).
A few people who used this medication developed symptoms resembling lupus after treatment but improved after stopping the medication. Consult your physician right now if you notice that the child or you starts suffering from chest pains, joint pains or a rash that appears on the arms or cheeks that are sensitive to sunlight.
Don’t have an active vaccine (immunizations) when either you or your kid is receiving treatment with Adalimumab. The vaccines your child is required to be up-to-date prior to applying the drug adalimumab. It is important to consult your child’s physician if you have any concerns regarding this.
The needle covers of certain pen and syringes that are prefilled are made of natural rubber that is dry (a form of latex) and can cause allergic reactions in those who are allergic to latex. Inform your physician if you or your child suffer from allergies to latex before taking this medication.
Severe skin reactions may occur when using this medication. Talk to your doctor in the event that either you or your kid is suffering from peeling, blistering, or loosening of the skin acne-like red skin lesions, skin rash or acne and ulcers or sores in the face, fever or chills when using this medication.
Don’t take other prescriptions in the absence of discussing with your physician. This includes prescription and other non-prescription (over-the-counter OTC) medicine, herbal and vitamin supplements.
Humira side effects
In addition to the beneficial effects, some medicines may produce unwanted side negative effects. Although not all negative side effects are likely to occur, if they occur, they could require medical attention.
Consult your physician immediately in the event that any of these adverse effects happen:
More commonly
- The body is aching or hurting
- cough
- Otis
- gas, stomach discomfort
- hoarseness
- lightheadedness
- Loss of voice
- Lower back or side discomfort
- Muscle aches and pains
- tenderness or pain around the cheekbones, eyes or around the eyes.
- Rapid and often shallow breathing
- Shivering
- stomach fullness
- stuffy nose
- sunken eyes
- thirst
- difficulty sleep
- The skin is warm
- wrinkled skin
Less popular
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
- The agitation
- back, arm or jaw joint, back, or jaw
- Black, tarry stools
- bleeding from the nose or gums
- Blindness
- Bloating or swelling of the face, arms lower legs, hands or feet
- blood in stool or a change in the your bowel habits
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- blurred vision
- broken bones
- Change in the size shape, color, or shape of moles that are already present
- change in skin color
- tension in the chest, neck pain or heavyness
- chills
- Clear or bloody discharges from the Nipple
- Cold feet and hands
- confusion
- constipation
- cough
- The act of coughing or spitting blood
- reduced the amount of urine that is drained.
- diminished vision
- Depression
- difficulties breathing
- discomfort burning or painful pain, burning, or painful
- Dimplings of the breast skin
- dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Eye discomfort
- fainting
- heartbeats that are slow, fast or irregular heartbeat
- febrile
- forgetfulness
- Urinary urges that are frequent
- general feeling of sickness
- hair loss
- headache
- Itching, hives itching, rash
- an increase in thirst
- inverted nipple
- Breathing issues
- Unusual pulse
- irritability
- Stools with light-colored stool
- Appetit loss
- lump in your breast or under the arm
- swelling or lump in the stomach
- mole that leaks fluids or leaks fluid or
- Muscle spasms or muscle cramps
- nausea
- New mole
- Night sweats
- There is no pulse or blood pressure
- Noisy breathing
- Numbness or tingling sensations in your legs, arms or on your the face
- discomfort, redness or swelling in the arms and legs, without injury
- pale skin
- unending, non-healing, itchy skin
- pink growth
- The swelling or puffiness of the eyelids and around the eyes or lips or the tongue
- firm, raised or bright red patches
- swelling or redness in the breast
- Hearing or seeing things that aren’t present
- seizures
- Sharp back pain that is just below your the ribs
- A shiny bump appears on your skin
- trouble with swallowing
- Snorting
- an open wound on the skin of the breast, which does not heal
- sore throat
- ulcers, sores and white marks on your lips or around the mouth
- Spitting blood everywhere
- stiff neck
- stomach pain
- The heart stops beating
- suddenly high fever low fever that lasts for months
- sweating
- swelling of the fingers, face feet, face, or lower legs
- swollen glands
- swollen neck veins
- tiredness
- Trouble breathing
- difficulty in thinking
- unconsciousness
- unprovoked bleeding or bruising
- Bad breath unpleasant breath
- unusual fatigue or weakness
- unusual weight increase or loss of weight
- visual disturbances
- vomiting
- Bloody vomit or material that resembles coffee grounds
- Yellow skin or eyes
Incidence unknown
- Peeling, blistering or loosening of skin
- diarrhea
- inability to move legs and arms
- Muscle or joint or muscle
- Red spots that are specific on the skin
- Red skin lesions, usually with a purple-colored center
- Eyes that are red and irritated
- Red scales, red or crusted skin
- suddenly numbness and weakness the legs and arms
- unusual bleeding or unusual bleeding or
Certain side effects can be experienced which usually don’t require medical treatment. These side effects can be eliminated after treatment, as your body adjusts the medication. Additionally your health professional might be able to inform you how to prevent or minimize the effects of these adverse effects. Consult your physician in the event that any of these adverse effects persist or are troubling or if there are any concerns about these:
More commonly
- Bladder pain
- bleeding burns, blisters, discomfort, skin discolouration and pressure sensation, swelling, hives Itching, lumps numbness or pain, swelling and redness. Scarring swelling, soreness, stinging tenderness, tingling heat, or ulceration around the injection site
- The eardrums are pounding
Less popular
- Normal healing
- reduction in height
- problems when difficulty in
- problems when walking
- dry mouth
- heartburn
- chest tightness
- indigestion
- Hearing loss
- Energy loss or strength
- Menstrual changes
- stiffness or joint stiffness or tightness
- muscles or weakening
- discomfort from the back or ribs or arms or legs
- shaking in arms, hands, legs and feet
- swelling or redness that occurs in the joints
Other side effects that aren’t mentioned could also be present in certain patients. If you experience any other side effects, you should consult with your physician.
Consult your physician to seek medical advice on possible side effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More details
Always consult your doctor to confirm that the information provided on this page is applicable to your particular situation.