Adalimumab (By injection)
a-da-LIM-ue-mab
Treats arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Drug classes
Antirheumatic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Adalimumab injection is used to treat the symptoms and prevent the progression of active rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is used in children 2 years of age and older for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This medicine is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis, which is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints along with patches of scaly skin on some areas of the body. Psoriatic arthritis usually occurs with a skin condition called psoriasis. Adalimumab may be used alone or in combination with medicines such as methotrexate.
Adalimumab injection is also used to treat the symptoms of active Crohn’s disease in patients who have not been helped by other medicines, such as infliximab. It is also used to treat moderate to moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in patients who have been treated with other medicines (eg, azathioprine, corticosteroids, or 6-mercaptopurine) that did not work well.
Adalimumab injection may also be used to treat chronic plaque psoriasis, which is a skin disease with red patches and white scales that don’t go away.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, or hard. If you have psoriasis, do not inject into a raised, thick, red, or scaly skin patch or into skin lesions.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Protect the medicine from light. Keep your medicine and supplies in the original packages until you are ready to use them.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how adalimumab works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Abatacept, anakinra, azathioprine, cyclosporine, mercaptopurine, rituximab, theophylline A blood thinner (such as warfarin) Medicine that weakens the immune system, such as a steroid or cancer medicineThis medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to adalimumab.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, a history of cancer, COPD, heart failure, diabetes, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, problems with your immune system, or a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Tell your doctor if you have any type of infection (such as hepatitis B or tuberculosis) or an infection that keeps coming back.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Increased risk for infection Increased risk of certain cancers, such as lymphoma or leukemia New or worsening heart failureTell your doctor if you have a latex allergy. The needle cover of the syringe contains latex and may cause allergic reactions.
You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis (TB) before you start this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive TB skin test or been exposed to TB.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash, or red, scaly patches on the skin
Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination
Changes in vision
Chest pain, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing
Cough, fever, chills, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and body aches
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet, or joint pain
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, lower legs, or feet
Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat
Swollen glands in your neck, underarms, or groin
Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, weakness, or weight loss
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, pain, or swelling where the shot was given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Humira
There may be other brand names for this medicine.