HUMIRA® adalimumab

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Injecting HUMIRA with the HUMIRA® Pen
4 Easy Steps

Administering HUMIRA: Injecting HUMIRA with the HUMIRA Pen Open HUMIRA Pen

Watch the video and read the guide. The following is a review of the 4-step HUMIRA injection process. Neither the video nor the illustrated guide should take the place of personalized instruction with a healthcare provider, who will get you started. Full injection instructions are also available in the Medication Guide in the HUMIRA Box.

Instructional Video:


Full injection instructions are also available in the Medication Guide in the HUMIRA box, or by clicking here.

For injection assistance, or to speak with a nurse call 1.800.4.HUMIRA.  Nurses are available from 8:00AM – 8:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time, to provide injection help and assistance to patients taking HUMIRA.

A Note on Dosing

Use HUMIRA as your doctor prescribes, usually every other week, on the same day of the week. If you miss a dose, inject as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose as you would have on your originally scheduled date. If you're unable to give yourself the injection at any time, or your friend or family member cannot administer HUMIRA to you, call your doctor or nurse for help right away.

The health information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace a discussion with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider and consider the unique characteristics of each patient.

4-Step Injection Process


Setting up to Use Your HUMIRA® Pen

Step 1: Setting up to Use Your HUMIRA® Pen

  • Take your box of HUMIRA out of the refrigerator. Check to make sure the name HUMIRA appears on the dose tray and pen label. Check the expiration date. Don't use it if the date has passed.
  • Verify the seals on the top and bottom of the box. If they're broken or missing, do not use it and contact your pharmacist.
  • Take out one of the Pens. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes before using it. That gives it time to reach room temperature and makes it less likely to sting. Be very careful not to drop your HUMIRA. Be sure not to remove either of the caps yet.
  • Put the Pen, an unopened alcohol swab and a piece of gauze or cotton ball on a clean surface. If you're using an ice pack to numb your injection site before injecting, have that ready also.

Choosing and Preparing an Injection Site

Step 2: Choosing and Preparing an Injection Site

  • DO NOT remove either the Plum or Gray Caps from your HUMIRA® Pen yet.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Choose a site on the front of your thighs or your stomach.
  • If you choose your stomach, avoid the area two inches around your navel.
  • Choose a different site each time you inject. Each new injection should be given at least 1 inch from the previous site.
  • DO NOT inject where your skin is tender, bruised, red or hard, or where you have scars or stretch marks.
  • If you have psoriasis, you should try not to inject directly into any raised, thick, red or scaly skin patches or lesions.
  • You may find it helps to keep a record of previous injection locations.
  • Some people find it helps to apply a small ice pack to the injection site for 2-3 minutes before cleansing the skin with alcohol. This may help decrease the sensation of injecting. If you use an ice pack, always put a light towel between it and your skin.

Preparing your HUMIRA® Pen for Injection

Step 3: Preparing Your HUMIRA® Pen for Injection

  • DO NOT remove the Caps from your HUMIRA® Pen yet.
  • Wipe your injection site with the alcohol swab, using a circular motion. Allow the alcohol to dry thoroughly before giving yourself the injection and be sure not to touch the area until you're ready to inject.
  • First, hold the Pen with Gray Cap 1 pointing up. Examine the liquid in the HUMIRA Window. Make sure it's clear and colorless. If it's cloudy or has flakes or particles in it, do not use it. If this happens, be sure to return it to your pharmacist.
  • Do not use the Pen if the liquid is frozen.
  • Second, flip the Pen so Plum Cap 2 is pointing up. Make sure the liquid is up to or very near the fill line in the HUMIRA Window. That indicates there's a full dose of HUMIRA® (adalimumab) in the Pen. If the liquid is not at or near the fill line, do not use it and contact your pharmacist. The top of the liquid might be curved, which is normal.

Injecting HUMIRA®

Step 4: Injecting HUMIRA®

  • Without putting the HUMIRA® Pen down at any time:

    FIRST, remove Gray Cap 1. Pull it straight off. Do not twist. Throw it away. It is very important that you don't replace Gray Cap 1 once it is removed. Even though you can see the needle inside the Pen, don't touch it.

    You'll now see the White Needle Sleeve. Take care not to drop or crush the Pen as it contains a glass syringe.

    SECOND, remove Plum Cap 2. Pull it straight off. Do not twist. Throw it away. Careful! Never put Plum Cap 2 back on the Pen once it's removed.
  • Hold the Pen in one hand so the HUMIRA Window showing the liquid is facing you. Be sure your fingers don't cover the Window, because that's where you'll see when your injection is complete.
  • Do not press the Plum Activator Button and don't put either Cap back on the Pen. That can cause it to start injecting or damage the needle.
  • Position the Pen in one hand so the HUMIRA Window is in view. With your other hand, gently squeeze a sizeable area of the cleaned skin creating a fold on which to position the Pen.
  • Position the white end of the Pen at a 90-degree angle against the fold of skin. Take care to position the Pen so that it will not inject the needle into your finger.
  • Before you give the injection, remember it is important to be prepared to hear a loud CLICK when you press the Plum Activator Button. Don't let it startle you. Be sure to keep holding the Pen with steady pressure against your body until the injection is complete. This step is very important.
  • Using your thumb or index finger, press the Plum Activator Button. The loud CLICK begins the injection, which may take up to 10 seconds.
  • Keep pressing the HUMIRA® Pen against your skin with steady downward pressure — and keep watching the HUMIRA Window. Do not bounce the Pen against your skin. Yellow will gradually fill the Window as your HUMIRA is injected. Once the yellow stops moving, your injection is complete. It may take up to 10 seconds and you might want to count to 10 seconds so you know the injection is complete before removing the Pen from your skin.
  • Pull the Pen from your skin. Be sure to pull it out at the same 90-degree angle as you inserted it.
  • The White Needle Sleeve will automatically cover the needle.
  • Hold the cotton ball or gauze pad over the injection site for 10-15 seconds, because there might be a small amount of fluid or a drop of blood at the site, which is normal. Do not rub the injection site.
  • There might be stinging, a burning sensation, or you may experience a small bump when the medicine is injected. This should go away within a few minutes after injection.
  • If the skin around the injected area hurts or is swollen, place a cold, damp towel or ice pack on it for 10-15 minutes every 1-2 hours. When you use an ice pack, always put a light towel between it and your skin. If a rash, pain, redness or swelling occurs around the injection site and it doesn't go away within a few days, or gets worse, call your doctor right away.

Disposing of used HUMIRA® Pen:

Disposing of HUMIRA®
  • After injecting HUMIRA® (adalimumab), throw away the used Pen in a Sharps container or a can with a secure lid.
  • Label it "Used injection devices" and keep it out of the reach of children.
  • When the container is about 2/3 full, tape the cap or lid down so it does not come off, and dispose of it as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
  • Do not throw away the Sharps container or your used HUMIRA Pen in household trash or recycle bins. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for instructions on how to dispose of used needles and syringes in your area.
  • Put all used gauze pads and cotton balls in the trash unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
To request a free Sharps container, call 1-800-4HUMIRA (1-800-448-6472).

Things to remember for a successful injection:

  • Do not remove either Gray Cap 1 or Plum Cap 2 until you are ready to inject your HUMIRA
  • After removing both Caps, place the Pen with the HUMIRA Window facing you at a 90-degree angle against the fold of your skin
  • Be careful not to touch or bump the Plum Activator Button until you are ready to give yourself the injection
  • Hold the Pen with steady pressure against your body
  • Continue holding while you press the Plum Activator Button
  • Remember! There will be a loud click, don't be startled or release the pressure
  • Continue holding the Pen steady against your skin until the Yellow Indicator in the HUMIRA Window stops moving
  • This may take up to 10 seconds so you may want to count to 10 seconds to make sure all of your HUMIRA has been injected, especially if you can't see the HUMIRA Window

Full injection instructions are also available in the Medication Guide.


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