Humira (adalimumab) reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation
Humira is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, and a chronic skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa. It is also used to treat Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis, after other drugs have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Important information
Some people using Humira have developed a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma (cancer). This condition affects the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and it can be fatal. Humira can also lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with Humira.
Humira can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with Humira. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Using this medicine may increase your risk of certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), or melanoma (a tumor that usually affects the skin). You may also develop an autoimmune disorder such as a lupus-like syndrome. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
How to use Humira?
Use Humira exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Use Humira regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
The dose schedule for Humira is highly variable and depends on the condition you are treating. You may need an injection only every other week. Or you may need up to 4 injections in 1 day for 2 days in a row. Follow your doctors dosing instructions very carefully.
Do not start using Humira if you have any signs of an infection (fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, body aches, tiredness, cough with mucus, feeling short of breath, skin sores, stomach pain, diarrhea, pain or burning when you urinate). Call your doctor for instructions.
Humira is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. Do not inject Humira into skin that is bruised, red, tender, or hard.
Adalimumab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with Humira. Contact your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, sore throat, or flu symptoms.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Humira.
If you have ever had hepatitis B, Humira can cause this condition to come back or get worse. You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function during treatment and for several months after you stop using this medicine.
Humira side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Humira: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Humira and call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of lymphoma:
fever, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness;
feeling full after eating only a small amount;
pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder;
easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate; or
liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
signs of infection - fever, chills, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, flu symptoms, pain or burning when you urinate;
signs of tuberculosis - fever with ongoing cough, weight loss (fat or muscle);
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
numbness, tingly feeling, weakness or prickly feeling;
vision problems;
shortness of breath with swelling of your ankles or feet; or
new or worsening psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin).
Older adults may be more likely to develop an infection while using Humira.
Common Humira side effects may include:
headache;
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat;
rash; or
redness, bruising, itching, or swelling where the injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Source: drugs.com
