Before taking Humira, it is important to be aware of some of the risks of the medication. Some of the Humira warnings and precautions involve an increased risk of developing dangerously low blood counts, the danger of taking the medication if you have an infection, and potential drug interactions. People who have certain allergies, such as to mice or rats, should not take Humira. Warnings and precautions of Humira also extend to people who have multiple sclerosis or congestive heart failure.

• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• A history of cancer of any type
• Multiple sclerosis
• Any disease that affects the immune system, such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, or AIDS
• Any conditions that affect the blood, including blood clotting disorders
• Any current infection
• Infections that come and go (such as cold sores)
• Plans to receive vaccinations
• A history of hepatitis B infection or tuberculosis
• Any other allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, rats, or mice.

 

• Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
• Breastfeeding.

 

• Humira can increase your chance of infections, including serious infections. You should not start Humira if you have an infection (even a skin infection). While taking Humira, tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you may have any kind of infection. Humira may not be the best choice for people who get frequent infections.

 

• In rare cases, Humira has been reported to cause certain nervous system conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Humira may also make these conditions worse. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking Humira if you have MS or any other nervous system condition.
   
• In rare cases, Humira has caused dangerously low blood counts (including aplastic anemia). You should tell your healthcare provider about any unusual bruising, bleeding, or paleness while taking Humira.
   
• There have been reports of lymphoma (a certain type of cancer) and skin cancer in people taking Humira. It is not yet known if Humira caused these cancers or not.
   
• Humira can cause certain infections (such as hepatitis B or tuberculosis) that were inactive in the body to become active again. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had hepatitis B or tuberculosis before starting Humira.
   
• Allergic reactions can occur with Humira. These reactions include rashes, hives, itching, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and unusual swelling. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you think you are having an allergic reaction to Humira.
   
• In studies, people with congestive heart failure (CHF) who took medications like Humira had an increased risk of death. Also, worsening of heart failure and new cases of heart failure (in people that did not already have CHF) have been reported in people taking similar medications. Talk to your healthcare provider about Humira and congestive heart failure before starting Humira.
   
• You should not receive live vaccines while taking Humira. Talk to your healthcare provider before receiving any vaccines while on Humira.
   
• Rarely, Humira has caused lupus-like conditions. Symptoms of a lupus-like condition may include an unexplained rash across the nose and checks (known as a butterfly rash) or ulcers in the mouth or nose.
   
• Humira can cause liver problems, including liver failure and hepatitis. Let your healthcare provider know if you have any signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, dark urine, and upper abdominal (or stomach) pain.
   
• Humira can interact with certain medications (see Humira Drug Interactions).
   
• Humira is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means that Humira is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. However, the full risks of using Humira while pregnant are not known. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using Humira during pregnancy (see Humira and Pregnancy).
   
• It is not known if Humira passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about using Humira (see Humira and Breastfeeding).