Adalimumab (Injection)

Treats symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and slows the joint damage caused by RA.

Brand Name(s):

Humira
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to adalimumab.

How to Use This Medicine:

Pad, Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine. Do not shake the medicine before using it.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.Keep your medicine and supplies in the original packages until you are ready to use them.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine. Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any medicines that weaken the immune system (such as steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation).
• Talk to your doctor before getting flu shots or other vaccines while you are receiving adalimumab. Vaccines may not work as well while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have tuberculosis, problems with your immune system, or multiple sclerosis or a similar nervous system disease.
• You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis test.
• A small number of people who have used this medicine have developed a type of cancer called "lymphoma." This is very rare. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned.
• You may get infections more easily while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have any kind of infection before you start using this medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had an infection that would not go away or an infection that kept coming back. Avoid people who are sick or have infections.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Cough that does not go away, and unexplained weight loss
• Feeling weak, dizzy, or numb, or having a "pins and needles" feeling
• Fever
• Pain when you urinate, or change in how much or how often you urinate
• Rash on your face or arms, trouble breathing, unusual joint pain, and chest pain that does not go away
• Trouble seeing
• Wheezing, cough, stuffy or runny nose, headache (cold or flu symptoms)

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Redness, itching, bruising, pain, or swelling where the shot is given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.