What is Adalimumab?

Adalimumab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation.

Adalimumab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis. It is also used to treat Crohn’s disease after other drugs have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Adalimumab may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Adalimumab?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to adalimumab, or if you are also being treated with anakinra (Kineret).

Before using adalimumab, tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using adalimumab, tell your doctor if you have:

• an active or recent infection
• open sores or skin wounds
• hepatitis B
• congestive heart failure
• lupus
• an allergy to latex rubber
• a disease that affects the nerves or muscles, such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barre syndrome
• if you have recently been vaccinated with BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin); or
• if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Your name may need to be listed on a Humira pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.

It is not known whether adalimumab passes into breast milk. Do not use adalimumab without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Using this medication may increase your risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast, colon, prostate, or lung cancer, lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), or melanoma (a tumor that usually affects the skin). This risk may be greater in children and young adults. You may also develop an autoimmune disorder such as a lupus-like syndrome. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Adalimumab Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Adalimumab?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with adalimumab. Stop using adalimumab and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

• fever, sweating, chills, tired feeling
• feeling short of breath
• cough, sore throat; or
• flu symptoms, weight loss

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• shortness of breath with swelling of your ankles or feet
• confusion, seizure (convulsions)
• pain or burning when you urinate
• chest pain, ongoing cough, coughing up blood
• easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, unusual weakness
• numbness or tingly feeling, weakness in your legs
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• red, purple, or scaly skin rash, hair loss, joint or muscle pain, mouth sores
• joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and/or seizure (convulsions); or
• patchy skin color, red spots, or a butterfly-shaped skin rash over your cheeks and nose (worsens in sunlight)

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache
• stuffy nose, sinus pain
• nausea, stomach pain; or
• pain, redness, itching, swelling, or bleeding where you injected the medication

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adalimumab Interactions

What other drugs affect Adalimumab?

There may be other drugs that can interact with adalimumab. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Adalimumab?

Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are being treated with adalimumab.

Avoid injecting adalimumab into skin that is bruised, red, tender, or hard.

Adalimumab Dosage

How should I take Adalimumab?

Before you start treatment with adalimumab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.

Some infections are more likely to occur in certain areas of the world. Tell your doctor where you live and where you have recently traveled or plan to travel to during treatment.

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Adalimumab is given as an injection under the skin of your stomach or thigh. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and syringes used in giving the medicine.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Adalimumab is usually given every other week, although you may need to use it once a week. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Use each pre-filled syringe of adalimumab only one time. Throw away any unused portion of the medication. Do not save it for later use.

Throw away used needles and syringes in a puncture-proof container. If your medicine does not come with such a container, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets. Your pharmacist can tell you how to properly dispose of the container.

Adalimumab can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

It is important to use adalimumab regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using adalimumab.

Store adalimumab in the refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze. If you travel with the prefilled syringe, keep it in a small cooler with an ice pack and protect it from light.

Do not remove the prefilled syringe from the refrigerator or cooler until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

What happens if I overdose on Adalimumab?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of adalimumab is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What happens if I miss a dose of Adalimumab?

Use the medication as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular injection schedule. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com