Humira
® (
adalimumab) is a prescription medication approved to treat several inflammatory conditions that affect the joints, spine, and
digestive system.
It is made by Abbott Pharmaceuticals.
Specific uses of the drug include reducing the signs and symptoms of the following conditions:
Humira is part of a class of medicines known as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, or TNF inhibitors for short. As the name implies, the drug blocks the activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that is involved in inflammation and other immune system functions.
People with rheumatoid arthritis,
juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, or Crohn's disease often have higher levels of TNF. These high levels of TNF-alpha can cause inflammation and lead to problems. By blocking TNF-alpha, Humira helps to relieve the symptoms of these conditions and, in some cases, prevents future damage from occurring. Humira does not cure these conditions.
The medication has been studied in several clinical trials for the following conditions:
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Clinical studies have shown that Humira is effective at improving the symptoms of
ankylosing spondylitis, including
back pain and morning stiffness. People taking Humira showed greater improvements in their symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, compared to those not taking it.
Crohn's Disease
Humira was also studied for treating
Crohn's disease. In one study, up to 58 percent of those taking it showed significant improvement in their
Crohn's disease symptoms, compared to just 34 percent of those not taking it. Humira also increased the chance of remission and helped keep the
symptoms of Crohn's disease from returning.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
In studies, children with juvenile idiopathic
arthritis who were given Humira with or without methotrexate (Rheumatrex
®, another medication) were less likely to have a disease flare, compared to children who were not given Humira.
Plaque Psoriasis
In one study, up to 71 percent of people who were treated with Humira for 16 weeks for
plaque psoriasis had "clear" or "minimal" disease, compared to just 10 percent of people who were not given it.
Psoriatic Arthritis
In a study of Humira for
psoriatic arthritis, the medication was shown to reduce pain and other
psoriatic arthritis symptoms, including joint stiffness. Also, it helped to lessen the physical joint changes of psoriatic arthritis, compared to those not taking it.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
In clinical studies looking at Humira as a
rheumatoid arthritis treatment, the drug was shown to improve the symptoms of
rheumatoid arthritis. More of the people taking Humira showed improvement compared to the people not taking it. The medication also improved the physical joint changes that occur with rheumatoid arthritis.
When and How to Take Humira
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- It is taken as an injection, usually once a week or every other week.
- The injection is given just under the skin (subcutaneously), not into the muscle.
- Your healthcare provider may give you Humira injections or you can give your own injections at home (if you feel comfortable doing so).
- If you will be giving your own injections, your healthcare provider should show you exactly how to inject Humira.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Humira your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Your weight (for children)
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
(Click Humira Dosage for more information about dosing for Humira.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Humira. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, many people tolerate the medication well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Humira include, but are not limited to:
- Infections
- Pain at the injection site
- Headaches
- Accidental injury
- Nausea.
(Click Humira Side Effects to learn about specific side effects of the drug, including some of the more serious side effects that you should report to your healthcare provider.)
Humira can potentially interact with a few medicines.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Humira if you have:
- 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.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
The exact effects of an overdose are not known. This is because there have been limited cases of people taking too much Humira. In small studies, people who took large doses did not have any problems.
Humira is kept in the refrigerator. It should never be frozen and should not be used if it has been frozen. If you are traveling, you will need to find a way to keep your Humira cold (such as using a cooler with ice packs).
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Humira as scheduled, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose of Humira.
Humira comes in two different forms:
- Humira Pen (a prefilled injection device used to automatically inject Humira) -- contains 40 mg Humira
- Humira Prefilled Syringe (must be injected manually) -- contains 20 or 40 mg Humira, depending on the strength.
Both the pens and prefilled syringes come with everything you will need to inject Humira, including alcohol pads, needles, and detailed instructions.
There is currently no generic Humira licensed for sale.
