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Adalimumab

Pronunciation: a dal aye' mu mab
Brand names: Humira, Amjevita, Yusimry, Cyltezo, Yuflyma, ... show all 11 brands
Dosage form: Subcutaneous injection by Autoinjector, Pre-Filled Syringe, Single-Dose Vial
Drug classes: Antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jun 11, 2024.

What is adalimumab?

Adalimumab (Humira and others) is used to treat plaque psoriasis (Ps), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and uveitis. Adalimumab works to reduce pain, inflammation, and skin symptoms in chronic autoimmune conditions. Adalimumab works by blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that can cause inflammation, pain, or other autoimmune symptoms. Adalimumab is from a class of medicine called TNF alfa inhibitor

There are 10 biosimilars of Humira, the brand names are Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, Idacio, Yuflyma, and Yusimry.  The interchangeable biosimilars of Humira are Cyltezo (Boehringer Ingelheim), Abrilada (Pfizer), Hyrimoz (Sandoz) and Simlandi (Alvotech)

Humira was approved by the FDA on December 31, 2002. Humira was the first brand of adalimumab, so it is called the reference product. Biosimilars of Humira are now also available, see below for a full list of adalimumab biosimilars, indications, and companies.

A biosimilar is a biologic medicine that is a very close copy of the original product made by another company.  An interchangeable biosimilar has undergone an additional Interchangeability Study, meaning that patients can be confident in the safety and effectiveness of the interchangeable biosimilar product, just as they would be for the FDA-approved original product, in this case, Humira.

How does adalimumab work?

Normally, your immune system defends your body against diseases by fighting harmful bacteria or viruses. However, in autoimmune disorders, the immune system becomes hyperactive and mistakenly attacks its own tissues, leading to symptoms of the autoimmune condition. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a protein that is involved in causing inflammation. Adalimumab is a TNF blocker that inhibits TNF, helping to reduce pain, inflammation, and skin symptoms. Adalimumab is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody.

Brand names of Humira biosimilars

Humira is the original brand of adalimumab, other brands of adalimumab are biosimilars.

Brand Name Generic Name Designation Company Name
Humira adalimumab Reference abbvie
Abrilada adalimumab-afzb Interchangeable Pfizer Inc.
Amjevita adalimumab-atto Biosimilar Amgen Inc.
Cyltezo adalimumab-adbm Interchangeable Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Hadlima adalimumab-bwwd Biosimilar Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd.
Hulio adalimumab-fkjp Biosimilar Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Hyrimoz adalimumab-adaz Interchangeable Sandoz Inc.
Idacio adalimumab-aacf Biosimilar Fresenius Kabi
Simlandi adalimumab-ryvk Interchangeable Alvotech
Yuflyma adalimumab-aaty Biosimilar Celltrion, Inc.
Yusimry adalimumab-aqvh Biosimilar

Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

What is adalimumab used for?

Adalimumab is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and skin symptoms in many chronic conditions.  Each brand of adalimumab may be FDA-approved to treat different conditions and different patient groups.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active RA. 

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular JIA in patients 2 years of age and older.

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active PsA.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active AS.

Crohn’s Disease (CD): treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in patients 6 years of age and older.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC): treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults for all brands except  Humira brand, which is patients 5 years of age and older. Limitations of Use: Effectiveness has not been established in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to TNF blockers. 

Plaque Psoriasis (Ps): treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in patients 12 years of age and older for Humira. Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, Hyrimoz, Yusimry, and Yuflyma can be used for adults with HS.

Uveitis (UV): treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis patients 2 years of age and older, for Humira brand only. Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, Hyrimoz, Yusimry, Idacio Simlandi, and Yuflyma can be used in adults with uvelitis.

Adalimumab Biosimilar Brands and Indications

Brand Name

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Crohn’s Disease

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Plaque Psoriasis

Psoriatic Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ulcerative Colitis

Uveitis

Humira

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes 12 years +

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes 5 years+

Yes 2 years +

Abrilada

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Amjevita

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Cyltezo

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Hadlima

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Hulio

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Hyrimoz

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Idacio

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Simlandi

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yuflyma

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yusimry

Yes Adults

Yes 6 years+

Yes Adults

Yes 2 years +

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Yes Adults

Adalimumab side effects

Common adalimumab side effects of may include:

Serious adalimumab side effects of may include:

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.

Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of lymphoma:

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

Older adults may be more likely to develop infections or cancer while using adalimumab.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Adalimumab affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections.

Before or during treatment with adalimumab, tell your doctor if you have signs of infection such as fever, chills, aches, tiredness, cough, skin sores, diarrhea, or burning when you urinate.

Your doctor should test you for tuberculosis (TB) before you start taking adalimumab and also monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment.

The chances of getting cancer may be increased for children and adults taking TNF-blockers.

Before taking this medicine

Before you start using adalimumab, tell your doctor if you have signs of infection - fever, chills, sweats, muscle aches, tiredness, cough, bloody mucus, skin sores, diarrhea, burning when you urinate, or feeling constantly tired.

Adalimumab should only be given to children if the brand is indicated for their condition and age group. Children using adalimumab should be current on all childhood immunizations before starting treatment.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor where you live and if you have recently traveled or plan to travel. You may be exposed to infections that are common to certain areas of the world.

Adalimumab may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers and young men with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. However, anyone with an inflammatory autoimmune disorder may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

Pregnancy

It is not known whether adalimumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Make sure any doctor caring for your newborn baby knows if you used adalimumab while you were pregnant, and especially before your baby receives any vaccines.

Breastfeeding

It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using adalimumab. Ask your doctor about any risks and the best way to feed your baby while on this medicine.

How should I use adalimumab?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Adalimumab is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection) using an autoinjector or a prefilled syringe. A healthcare provider will teach you how to properly use this injection by yourself.

Do not start using adalimumab if you have any signs of an infection. Call your doctor for instructions.

The dose schedule for adalimumab is highly variable and depends on the condition you are treating. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed color, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Leave the adalimumab auto-injector or prefilled syringe at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes to allow it to warm up.  Do not warm the prefilled syringe using heat sources such as hot water or a microwave. Discard any adalimumab that has become frozen

Choose an injection site. You may inject into the front of your thighs, and your abdomen except for the 2 in (5 cm) around the belly button (navel). Rotate the injection site each time you give an injection. Each new injection site should be at least 1.2 in (3 cm) away from the injection site you used before.

Do not inject into skin that is red, hard, tender, damaged, bruised, or scarred, and do NOT inject through your clothes.

Adalimumab affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to examine you on a regular basis.

Store this medicine in its original carton in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. If you are traveling, carefully follow all patient instructions for storing your medicine during travel. Avoid extreme heat or cold.

Dosing information

Different brands of adalimumab are available in different dosage forms and strengths, these are the approved forms and strengths for each brand.

Humira is available as:

Abrilada is available as: 

Amjevita is available as:

Cyltezo  is available as:

Hadlima is available as:

Hulio is available as: 

Hyrimoz  is available as: 

Idacio is available as: 

Simlandi is available as:

Yuflyma is available as:

Yusimry is available as: 

The dose and frequency of adalimumab given is dependent on age, severity, and condition treated. For more information on specific dosing schedules click the link below.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using adalimumab?

Do not inject adalimumab into skin that is bruised, red, tender, or hard.

While using this medicine avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using adalimumab. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), or zoster (shingles).

What other drugs will affect adalimumab?

Some drugs should not be used together with adalimumab. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with adalimumab, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with adalimumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Entyvio, Otezla, Sotyktu, Cimzia, prednisone, naproxen, methotrexate, dexamethasone, dexamethasone ophthalmic, triamcinolone ophthalmic

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Is Amjevita interchangeable with Humira?

Amjevita is not yet interchangeable with Humira, and the pharmacist must get approval from your doctor before they can substitute it for Humira. To date, the approved interchangeable biosimilars for Humira are Abrilada, Cyltezo, Hyrimoz, and Simlandi, according to the FDA Purple Book as of April 2024. Continue reading

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.