Adalimumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Apr 9, 2025.

Applies to adalimumab: subcutaneous solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Patients treated with adalimumab are at increased risk of infection, some of which may become serious and lead to hospitalization or death.

These infections have included TB, invasive fungal infections, bacterial, viral, and those caused by opportunistic pathogens including Legionella and Listeria.

The risks and benefits of therapy should be carefully considered prior to treatment initiation in patients with chronic or recurrent infection.

Evaluate for latent TB and treat if necessary prior to initiating therapy.

Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative prior to treatment.

Consider empirical antifungal therapy in at-risk patients who develop severe systemic illness.

Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in pediatric and adolescent patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers such as adalimumab.

Postmarketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), usually fatal, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab, primarily in adolescent and young adult males with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

Most cases occurred in patients receiving concomitant treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Serious Infections. Patients treated with adalimumab products including adalimumab-aacf are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death.

Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.Discontinue adalimumab-aacf if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.Reported infections include:Active tuberculosis (TB), including reactivation of latent TB.

Patients with TB have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease.

Test patients for latent TB before adalimumab-aacf use and during therapy.

Initiate treatment for latent TB prior to adalimumab-aacf use.Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis.

Patients with histoplasmosis or other invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease.

Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection.

Consider empiric anti-fungal therapy in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness.Bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria.Carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment with adalimumab-aacf prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection.Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with adalimumab-aacf, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.Malignancy. Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products.

Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products.

These cases have had a very aggressive disease course and have been fatal.

The majority of reported TNF blocker cases have occurred in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and the majority were in adolescent and young adult males.

Almost all these patients had received treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine (6–MP) concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis.

It is uncertain whether the occurrence of HSTCL is related to use of a TNF blocker or a TNF blocker in combination with these other immunosuppressants.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Serious Infections. Increased risk of serious infections leading to hospitalization or death, including tuberculosis (TB), bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal infections (such as histoplasmosis), and infections due to other opportunistic pathogens.Discontinue adalimumab-fkjp if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis during treatment.Perform test for latent TB; if positive, start treatment for TB prior to starting adalimumab-fkjp.Monitor all patients for active TB during treatment, even if initial latent TB test is negative.Malignancy. Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab products.Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have occurred in adolescent and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab products.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Serious Infections. Patients treated with adalimumab products including adalimumab-aqvh are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death.

Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.Discontinue adalimumab-aqvh if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.Reported infections include:Active tuberculosis (TB), including reactivation of latent TB.

Patients with TB have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease.

Test patients for latent TB before adalimumab-aqvh use and during therapy.

Initiate treatment for latent TB prior to adalimumab-aqvh use.Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis.

Patients with histoplasmosis or other invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease.

Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection.

Consider empiric anti-fungal therapy in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness.Bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria.Carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment with adalimumab-aqvh prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection.Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with adalimumab-aqvh, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.Malignancy. Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products.

Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products.

These cases have had a very aggressive disease course and have been fatal.

The majority of reported TNF blocker cases have occurred in patients with Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis and the majority were in adolescent and young adult males.

Almost all these patients had received treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine (6–MP) concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis.

It is uncertain whether the occurrence of HSTCL is related to use of a TNF blocker or a TNF blocker in combination with these other immunosuppressants.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Serious Infections. Patients treated with adalimumab products including adalimumab-aaty are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death.

Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.Discontinue adalimumab-aaty if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.Reported infections include:Active tuberculosis (TB), including reactivation of latent TB.

Patients with TB have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease.

Test patients for latent TB before adalimumab-aaty use and during therapy.

Initiate treatment for latent TB prior to adalimumab-aaty use.Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis.

Patients with histoplasmosis or other invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease.

Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection.

Consider empiric anti-fungal therapy in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness.Bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria.Carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment with adalimumab-aaty prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection.Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with adalimumab-aaty, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.Malignancy. Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products.

Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products.

These cases have had a very aggressive disease course and have been fatal.

The majority of reported TNF blocker cases have occurred in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and the majority were in adolescent and young adult males.

Almost all these patients had received treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine (6–MP) concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis.

It is uncertain whether the occurrence of HSTCL is related to use of a TNF blocker or a TNF blocker in combination with these other immunosuppressants.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Serious Infections. Increased risk of serious infections leading to hospitalization or death, including tuberculosis (TB), bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal infections (such as histoplasmosis), and infections due to other opportunistic pathogens.Discontinue adalimumab-bwwd if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis during treatment.Perform test for latent TB; if positive, start treatment for TB prior to starting adalimumab-bwwd.Monitor all patients for active TB during treatment, even if initial latent TB test is negative.Malignancy. Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab products.Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have occurred in adolescent and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab products.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Patients treated with adalimumab-atto are at increased risk of infection, some of which may become serious and lead to hospitalization or death.

These infections have included TB, invasive fungal infections, bacterial, viral, and those caused by opportunistic pathogens including Legionella and Listeria.

The risks and benefits of therapy should be carefully considered prior to treatment initiation in patients with chronic or recurrent infection.

Evaluate for latent TB and treat if necessary prior to initiating therapy.

Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative prior to treatment.

Consider empirical antifungal therapy in at-risk patients who develop severe systemic illness.

Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in pediatric and adolescent patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, including adalimumab products.

Postmarketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), usually fatal, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products, primarily in adolescent and young adult males with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

Most cases occurred in patients receiving concomitant treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Serious Infections. Increased risk of serious infections leading to hospitalization or death, including tuberculosis (TB), bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal infections (such as histoplasmosis), and infections due to other opportunistic pathogens.Discontinue adalimumab-adaz if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis during treatment.Perform test for latent TB; if positive, start treatment for TB prior to starting adalimumab-adaz.Monitor all patients for active TB during treatment, even if initial latent TB test is negative.Malignancy. Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab products.Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have occurred in adolescent and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab products.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Serious Infections. Increased risk of serious infections leading to hospitalization or death, including tuberculosis (TB), bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal infections (such as histoplasmosis), and infections due to other opportunistic pathogens.Discontinue adalimumab-afzb if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis during treatment.Perform test for latent TB; if positive, start treatment for TB prior to starting adalimumab-afzb.Monitor all patients for active TB during treatment, even if initial latent TB test is negative.Malignancy. Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab products.Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have occurred in adolescent and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease treated with TNF-blockers including adalimumab products.

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Patients treated with adalimumab-adbm are at increased risk of infection, some of which may become serious and lead to hospitalization or death.

These infections have included TB, invasive fungal infections, bacterial, viral, and those caused by opportunistic pathogens including Legionella and Listeria.

The risks and benefits of therapy should be carefully considered prior to treatment initiation in patients with chronic or recurrent infection.

Evaluate for latent TB and treat if necessary prior to initiating therapy.

Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative prior to treatment.

Consider empirical antifungal therapy in at-risk patients who develop severe systemic illness.

Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in pediatric and adolescent patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers such as adalimumab-adbm.

Postmarketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), usually fatal, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab-adbm, primarily in adolescent and young adult males with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

Most cases occurred in patients receiving concomitant treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine.

Precautions

If you will be using this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if this medicine is working properly and to decide whether you should continue to use it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

You or your child will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis skin test.

Adalimumab can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, which may increase the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. Using abatacept (Orencia®) or anakinra (Kineret®) together with this medicine may increase your risk of having serious side effects.

This medicine may cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after this medicine is used. A small number of people (including children and teenagers) who have used this type of medicine have developed certain types of cancer (eg, leukemia). Some patients also developed a rare type of cancer called lymphoma. Talk with your doctor if you or your child have unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, or groin, or unexplained weight loss. Also, check with your doctor right away if your or your child's skin has red, scaly patches, or raised bumps that are filled with pus.

Adalimumab may cause serious allergic reactions (eg, anaphylaxis and angioneurotic edema), which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs, rash, itching, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness after you receive the medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, or sudden weight gain. These may be signs of a heart condition called congestive heart failure (CHF).

Some people who have used this medicine developed lupus-like symptoms during treatment and got better after the medicine was stopped. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child start having chest pains, joint pain, or a rash on the cheeks or arms that is sensitive to the sun.

Do not have any live vaccines (immunizations) while you or your child are being treated with adalimumab. Your child's vaccines need to be current before using adalimumab. Be sure to ask your child's doctor if you have any questions about this.

The needle cover of some prefilled syringes and pens contain dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you or your child have a latex allergy before using this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of adalimumab

Along with its needed effects, adalimumab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking adalimumab:

More common side effects

body aches or pain
cough
ear congestion
gas with stomach pain
hoarseness
lightheadedness
loss of voice
lower back or side pain
muscle aches and pains
pain or tenderness around the eyes or cheekbones
rapid and sometimes shallow breathing
shivering
stomach fullness
stuffy nose
sunken eyes
thirst
trouble sleeping
warmth on the skin
wrinkled skin

Less common side effects

abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
agitation
arm, back, or jaw pain
black, tarry stools
bleeding from the gums or nose
blindness
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blood in the stool or change in bowel habits
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
broken bones
change in size, shape, or color of an existing mole
change in skin color
chest pain, tightness, or heaviness
chills
clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
cold hands and feet
confusion
constipation
cough
coughing or spitting up blood
decreased urination
decreased vision
depression
difficulty with breathing
difficulty, burning, or painful urination
dimpling of the breast skin
dizziness
drowsiness
eye pain
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
fever
forgetfulness
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of illness
hair loss
headache
hives, itching, skin rash
increased thirst
inverted nipple
irregular breathing
irregular pulse
irritability
light colored stools
loss of appetite
lump in the breast or under your arm
lump or swelling in the stomach
mole that leaks fluid or bleeds
muscle cramps or spasms
nausea
new mole
night sweats
no blood pressure or pulse
noisy breathing
numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, or face
pain, redness, or swelling in the arms or legs without any injury present
pale skin
persistent non-healing sore on your skin
pink growth
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
raised, firm, or bright red patch
redness or swelling of the breast
seeing or hearing things that are not there
seizures
sharp back pain just below your ribs
shiny bump on your skin
slurred speech or problems with swallowing
sneezing
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or mouth
spitting up blood
stiff neck
stomach pain
stopping of the heart
sudden high fever or low grade fever for months
sweating
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
swollen glands
swollen neck veins
tiredness
trouble breathing
trouble thinking
unconsciousness
unexplained bruising or bleeding
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
visual disturbances
vomiting
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
yellow skin or eyes

Incidence not known

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
diarrhea
inability to move the arms and legs
joint or muscle pain
pinpoint red spots on the skin
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
red, scaling, or crusted skin
sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
unusual bleeding or bruising

Other side effects of adalimumab

Some side effects of adalimumab may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

bladder pain
bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
pounding in the ears

Less common side effects

abnormal healing
decrease in height
difficulty with moving
difficulty with walking
dry mouth
heartburn
indigestion
loss of hearing
loss of strength or energy
menstrual changes
muscle or joint stiffness, tightness, or rigidity
muscle pain or weakness
pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, and feet
swelling or redness in the joints

For healthcare professionals

Applies to adalimumab: subcutaneous kit, subcutaneous solution.

Cardiovascular adverse events

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, chest pain, coronary artery disorder, heart arrest, hypertensive encephalopathy, myocardial infarct, palpitation, pericardial effusion, pericarditis, syncope, tachycardia, congestive heart failure, peripheral edema, systemic vasculitis, deep vein thrombosis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Vascular occlusion, aortic stenosis, thrombophlebitis, aortic aneurysm^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Rash (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dermatitis, eczema, pruritus, cellulitis, urticaria, psoriasis, ecchymosis, increased bruising, purpura, erysipelas, cutaneous vasculitis, herpes zoster
Postmarketing reports: Stevens Johnson Syndrome, cutaneous vasculitis, erythema multiforme, new or worsening psoriasis (all subtypes including pustular and palmoplantar), alopecia, erythema multiforme, panniculitis^[Ref]

Endocrine

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Parathyroid disorder^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, stomatitis, mouth ulceration
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, gastritis, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal disorder, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, rectal hemorrhage, abdominal bloating
Rare (less than 0.1%): Esophagitis, intestinal stenosis, colitis, enteritis
Frequency not reported: Diverticulitis, large bowel perforations including perforations associated with diverticulitis and appendiceal perforations associated with appendicitis, pancreatitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, hematuria
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cystitis, kidney calculus, menstrual disorder, pyelonephritis^[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Lymphopenia, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, lymphadenopathy, leukocytosis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Pancytopenia, polycythemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, lymphoma-like reaction, leg thrombosis, hypertriglyceridemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Liver failure, hepatitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatic enzymes increased, hepatic necrosis
Postmarketing reports: Hepatic failure^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema^[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Flu syndrome
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sarcoidosis
Frequency not reported: Development of autoantibodies^[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Injection site pain (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reaction^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dehydration, ketosis, paraproteinemia, increased alkaline phosphatase^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthritis, bone disorder, bone fracture (not spontaneous), bone necrosis, joint disorder, muscle cramps, myasthenia, pyogenic arthritis, synovitis, tendon disorder, pelvic pain
Rare (less than 0.1%): Rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (12%)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Confusion, paraesthesia, subdural hematoma, tremor, demyelinating disorders (e.g., optic neuritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome), cerebrovascular accident, multiple sclerosis,
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypertrophic pachymeningitis^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Optic neuritis, cataract^[Ref]

Oncologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Adenoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma (neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Skin papilloma, carcinomas (breast, gastrointestinal, skin, testicular), lymphoma, melanoma, cancer of the white blood cells (known as Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma or HSTCL), mostly in adolescents and young adults^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Accidental injury (10%)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain in extremity, thorax pain
Rare (less than 0.1%): Pyrexia
Frequency not reported: Sepsis, pain in thorax, opportunistic infections, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, abscess, joint infection, wound infection, superficial fungal infections^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Renal pain, renal impairment^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory infection (17%), sinusitis (11%), pneumonia, pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthma, bronchospasm, dyspnea, lung function decreased, pleural effusion, interstitial lung disease (including pulmonary fibrosis), pulmonary embolism
Frequency not reported: Cough, upper respiratory infection, pharyngeal edema, nasal congestion, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pleurisy^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Mood alterations (including depression), anxiety, insomnia^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

More about adalimumab

Patient resources

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Professional resources

Other brands

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Further information

Adalimumab side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer

Drug Status

Availability Prescription only Rx

Pregnancy & Lactation Risk data available

CSA Schedule* Not a controlled drug N/A

Approval History Drug history at FDA

User Reviews & Ratings

6.4 / 10

740 Reviews

Adalimumab Side Effects

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Precautions

Serious side effects of adalimumab

More common side effects

Less common side effects

Incidence not known

Other side effects of adalimumab

More common side effects

Less common side effects

For healthcare professionals

Cardiovascular adverse events

Dermatologic

Endocrine

Gastrointestinal

Genitourinary

Hematologic

Hepatic

Hypersensitivity

Immunologic

Local

Metabolic

Musculoskeletal

Nervous system

Ocular

Oncologic

Other

Renal

Respiratory

Psychiatric

See also:

References

Frequently asked questions

More about adalimumab

Patient resources

Other brands

Professional resources

Other brands

Related treatment guides

Further information