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 subcutaneous injection (just under the skin) to treat:

• ankylosing spondylitis
• Crohn's disease
• juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children 4 years of age or older
• plaque psoriasis
• psoriatic arthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

For Crohn's disease (an intestinal problem), it is used to treat people who have not responded to other treatment.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

This medicine may be used alone or along with another medicine.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• an allergy to latex or rubber
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, kidney disease, or steroid medicine
• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• hepatitis B or other liver problems
• lupus
• lymphoma or other cancer
• multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy, or any condition that causes numbness or tingling
• seizures
• tuberculosis (TB), a positive skin test for TB, or close contact with someone who has TB (your healthcare provider may give you a skin test to check for this).

Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection such as the flu or an open cut or sore, or if you often have infections that come back. Also tell your healthcare provider if you are scheduled to have major surgery or any kind of vaccination.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine comes in a prefilled syringe or a Pen. The shots are given just under the skin. Your healthcare provider will determine the exact dosage. If your healthcare 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. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. The shots should not be given into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, or red, or where you have scars or stretch marks. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions. Do not use the medicine if it becomes cloudy or contains particles.

Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What if I miss a dose?

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 healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

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 healthcare provider right away if you develop a fever or ANY other symptoms of infection. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

Your healthcare provider will check you regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.

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, chest pain or discomfort that doesn't go away, new joint pain, shortness of breath, and sensitivity to sunlight. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine may increase your risk for certain kinds of cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

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 healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare 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 healthcare provider right away): Lupuslike syndrome (new joint pain, rash, sensitivity to sunlight, chest pain), dry cough, fever, weight loss, night sweats, numbness, tingling, vision changes, dizziness, sinus infection, weakness in your arms or legs, unusual bleeding or bruising, swelling in your ankles or feet, increased shortness of breath.

Other: Redness, swelling, or bruising around the injection site; headache; nausea; cough; 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 healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines.

• medicines given by injection to treat rheumatoid arthritis, such as anakinra (Kineret), adalimumab (Humira), abatacept (Orencia), etanercept (Enbrel), rituximab (Rituxan), and infliximab (Remicade)
• echinacea

Some vaccinations should not be given while you are receiving this medicine, and some should not be given for several months after you stop receiving this medicine. Ask your healthcare provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare 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.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare 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.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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