Adalimumab, Injection
What are other names for this medicine?
Type of medicine: monoclonal antibody for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
Generic and brand names: adalimumab, injection; Humira
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is used when other medicines for RA have not worked.
What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?
Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:
- an allergic reaction to any medicine
- heart disease or high blood pressure
- any condition that increases your risk of infection
- tuberculosis (your health care provider may give you a skin test to check for this)
- multiple sclerosis or any disease that causes numbness or tingling.
Tell your health care provider if you currently have an infection such as the flu or an open cut or sore. Also tell your health care provider if you are scheduled to have major surgery or any kind of vaccination.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.
How do I use it?
The shots are given just under the skin. Your health care provider will determine the exact dosage. If your health care provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.
Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your health care provider's instructions.
Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:
- You can give yourself the shots in the abdomen or thigh. If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
- Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
- Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
- Gently pull back on the plunger of the syringe. If no blood appears, inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger. If blood appears when you pull back on the plunger, withdraw the needle and syringe and gently press the alcohol swab on the injection site. Start over with a fresh needle.
- After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press an alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
- Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.
When you repeat the procedure, use a new pack. If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your health care provider or pharmacist for help.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.
What should I watch out for?
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Contact your health care provider right away if you develop a fever or other symptoms of infection. Also, do not have any vaccines, including flu or pneumonia shots, without getting your health care provider's approval first.
This medicine may make you dizzy or cause vision changes. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.
Rarely, this medicine causes a condition called lupuslike syndrome. Its symptoms include a rash on your face or other parts of your body, sensitivity to sunlight, and mouth sores. Talk to your health care provider about this.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Lupuslike syndrome (rash, sensitivity to sunlight, chest pain, mouth sores), dry cough, weight loss, night sweats, numbness, tingling, changes in vision, dizziness, weakness in your legs.
Other: Redness, swelling, or bruising around the injection site; headache; nausea; cough; sinus infection; runny nose.
What products might interact with this medicine?
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines.
Some vaccinations are not recommended to be given at the same time as adalimumab. Ask your health care provider about this.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
How should I store this medicine?
Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
