Humira Pen
Generic name: adalimumab [ AY-da-LIM-ue-mab ]
Brand names: Amjevita Autoinjector, Cyltezo, Hadlima Prefilled Syringe, Hulio Pen, Humira Pen,
... show all 14 brands
Drug classes: Antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
What is Humira Pen?
Humira Pen is used alone or in combination with certain medicines.
Humira Pen is used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis in adults and children at least 2 years old.
Humira Pen is also used for the treatment of Crohn's disease in adults and children at least 6 years old.
Humira Pen may also be used in adults to treat other conditions such as uveitis, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Humira Pen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Humira Pen side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of lymphoma:
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fever, swollen glands, body aches, night sweats, not feeling well;
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pale skin, rash, easy bruising or bleeding;
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cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
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pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder; or
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feeling full after eating only a small amount, weight loss.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
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skin changes such as red scaly patches or pus filled bumps;
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new or worsening heart problems--swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
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easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
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liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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lupus-like symptoms--muscle or joint pain, flu symptoms, chest pain, and a rash or patchy skin color that worsens in sunlight;
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nervous system problems--numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly feeling, vision or hearing problems, trouble breathing; or
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signs of tuberculosis--fever, cough, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, and feeling very tired.
Your treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common side effects of Humira Pen may include:
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headache, skin rash;
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cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat; or
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bruising, swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or bleeding where an injection was given.
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.
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Warnings
You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have flu symptoms, cough, night sweats, neck stiffness, confusion, or vision problems. Before you use Humira Pen, your doctor should test you for tuberculosis or other infections.
If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse after you stop using Humira Pen. Tell your doctor if you don't feel well and you have right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. You may need liver function tests for several months.
Before taking this medicine
Before you start using Humira Pen, tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection such as fever, chills, cough, body aches, tiredness, open sores or skin wounds, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss, painful urination, or coughing up blood.
Tell your doctor if you've had or been exposed to tuberculosis or fungal infection, or if you recently traveled or plan to travel. Some infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may be exposed during travel.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
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tuberculosis (or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis);
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an active or chronic infection;
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cancer;
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hepatitis B (Humira Pen can cause hepatitis B to come back or get worse);
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diabetes;
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congestive heart failure;
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any numbness or tingling, or a nerve-muscle disorder such as, multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome;
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an allergy to latex or rubber;
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scheduled to have major surgery; or
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recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccine.
Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you start using Humira Pen.
Using Humira Pen may increase your risk of developing other cancers. Ask your doctor about this risk.
It is not known if Humira Pen will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Tell your baby's doctor if you used Humira Pen during pregnancy. It could affect your baby's vaccination schedule.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using Humira Pen.
How should I use Humira Pen?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Humira Pen is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider will teach you how to properly use this medicine by yourself. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors or has particles in it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand how to use an injection.
Doses are based on weight in children and teenagers. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.
You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. You will need frequent medical tests.
Before you use Humira Pen, your doctor will test you for tuberculosis or other infections. Your blood will be tested before and during treatment with this medicine.
If you've had hepatitis B, it may come back or get worse during the treatment or after you stop using Humira Pen. You may need liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.
Store this medicine in its original container in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Protect from light. Carefully follow all instructions for storing your medicine during travel. Avoid extreme heat or cold.
Take the medicine out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature for 30 minutes before using. Do not warm the medicine with hot water, sunlight, or a microwave.
Throw away a prefilled syringe or auto-injector after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.
Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular schedule. Do not use two doses at one time.
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 Humira Pen?
Avoid injecting into skin that is hard, red, bruised, swollen, or tender.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid receiving a "live" vaccine, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).
What other drugs will affect Humira Pen?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
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abatacept, etanercept;
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anakinra;
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azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine; or
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certolizumab, golimumab, infliximab, rituximab.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Humira Pen, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Biological Products Related to Humira
Find detailed information on biosimilars for this medication.
Popular FAQ
How much does Humira cost without insurance?
The average cash price of Humira (generic name: adalimumab) without insurance is around $7,300 for 1 carton (2 pens) of 40 mg/0.4 mL using an online coupon, but most people do not pay this much. Your actual cost will depend upon which Humira product you need, your coupon savings, if you have insurance, and any manufacturer's savings. Continue reading
What happens when you stop taking Humira?
If you stop taking Humira. your medical condition may worsen. Withdrawal side effects are not likely to occur with Humira, but your signs or symptoms (based on your condition), like joint pain and inflammation, stomach pain or diarrhea, or structural joint damage may worsen or return. Do not stop taking Humira unless you and your doctor agree this is the best course of action. Continue reading
Does Humira cause weight gain or weight loss?
The manufacturer of Humira does not list weight gain or weight loss as a possible direct side effect associated Humira. However, other conditions, symptoms, or medications may affect your weight while you are using this medication. Clinical studies have also shown weight gain with Humira. Continue reading
How long does it take for Humira to work?
Most patients will start to feel relief from their symptoms within 2 to 12 weeks. Your results will vary based on your condition being treated and other factors, such as tolerability to treatment and other medications you may be using. Continue reading
How long can Humira be out of the fridge?
If you are traveling or not able to keep your Humira in the refrigerator, you can store it at room temperature up to a maximum of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) for a period of up to 14 days. Once your Humira Pen or prefilled syringe has reached room temperature, it must be used within 14 days even if it is put back in the refrigerator. Continue reading
What food should I avoid while taking Humira?
There are no known interactions between Humira (adalimumab) and food. Most patients should be able to safely follow their normal eating and drinking habits while taking Humira. Continue reading
What are monoclonal antibodies?
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are man-made proteins that mimic the natural antibodies produced by our immune systems. Monoclonal antibodies can be formulated into medicines to treat various types of illnesses, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. Continue reading
How long can you stay on Humira?
Humira is a medication that is used over the long-term and many patients stay on Humira for many years. Your doctor will check your medication at regular intervals to be sure staying on Humira is appropriate for you. Your dose for Humira can also vary and depends on the condition being treated. Continue reading
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Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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