HUMIRA® adalimumab
Abbott Laboratories

Serious infections have happened in patients taking HUMIRA. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some of these serious infections have been fatal. Patients treated with HUMIRA also may be at risk for other serious side effects including certain types of cancers, allergic reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation, nervous system problems, blood problems, heart failure, and certain immune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome. Please click here for additional Important Safety Information you should know about HUMIRA and discuss it with your doctor.

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Injecting HUMIRA with the HUMIRA® Pen
Just Four 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.

Click here for Indications and Important Safety Information you should know about HUMIRA, including risk of Serious Infections, and discuss it with your doctor.

A Note on Dosing

Use HUMIRA as your doctor prescribes, usually every other week. Some adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis not taking methotrexate may benefit from weekly dosing. 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. Do not use a Pen that has been frozen or if it has been left in direct sunlight.
  • 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. 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. Have a puncture-proof container available for disposing of used Pens.
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.
  • 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.
Preparing your HUMIRA® Pen for Injection

Step 3: Preparing Your HUMIRA® Pen for Injection

  • DO NOT remove the Caps from your HUMIRA® Pen yet.
  • 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. If the Pen does not have the full amount of liquid, do not use that pen and call your pharmacist.
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.

Important Safety Information You Should Know About HUMIRA® (adalimumab)

Serious infections have happened in patients taking HUMIRA. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your doctor should test you for TB before starting HUMIRA, and monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with HUMIRA.

Before starting HUMIRA:
You should not start taking HUMIRA if you have any kind of infection. Tell your doctor if you think you have an infection, are being treated for an infection, have signs of an infection (such as a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms), have any open cuts or sores on your body, or get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB, were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk for getting TB, live or have lived in certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys) where there is an increased risk for getting certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis), have or have had hepatitis B, use the medicine Kineret (anakinra), or are scheduled to have major surgery.

Tell your doctor if you have any numbness or tingling, or have a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome, have heart failure or other heart conditions, are pregnant, become pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to HUMIRA or any of its ingredients or are allergic to rubber or latex. The needle cover of the prefilled syringe and the pen contain dry natural rubber.

Also, tell your doctor if you have recently received or are scheduled for any vaccines. Except for live vaccines, patients may still receive vaccines while on HUMIRA. It is recommended that children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis be brought up to date with all immunizations prior to starting HUMIRA.

After starting HUMIRA:
Call your doctor right away if you have an infection, or any sign of an infection, including a fever, feeling very tired, cough, flu-like symptoms, warm, red or painful skin, or if you have any open cuts or sores on your body. HUMIRA can make you more likely to get infections or make any infection that you may have worse.

Possible side effects of HUMIRA:
Serious side effects, which sometimes lead to death, have happened in patients taking HUMIRA.
Serious infections. These infections include TB and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Your doctor will examine you for TB and perform a test to see if you have TB. If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated with medicine for TB before you begin treatment with HUMIRA and during treatment with HUMIRA. Even if your TB test is negative your doctor should carefully monitor you for TB infections while you are taking HUMIRA. Patients who had a negative TB skin test before receiving HUMIRA have developed active TB. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms while taking or after taking HUMIRA: cough, low-grade fever, weight loss, or loss of body fat and muscle.
Certain types of cancer. There have been cases of certain kinds of cancer, in patients taking HUMIRA or other TNF blockers. Patients with RA, especially more serious RA, may have a higher chance for getting a kind of cancer called lymphoma. Some patients receiving HUMIRA have developed types of cancer called non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer of the skin), which are generally not life threatening if treated. Tell your doctor if you have a bump or open sore that doesn’t heal.
Allergic reactions. Signs of a serious allergic reaction include skin rash, a swollen face, or trouble breathing.
Hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients that carry the virus in their blood. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms: feel unwell, poor appetite, fatigue, fever, rash or joint pain.
Nervous system problems. Signs and symptoms include: numbness or tingling, problems with your vision, weakness in your arms or legs, and dizziness.
Blood problems. Symptoms include a fever that does not go away, bruising or bleeding very easily, or looking very pale.
New heart failure or worsening heart failure you already have. Symptoms include shortness of breath or swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.
Immune reactions including a lupus-like syndrome. Symptoms include chest discomfort or pain that does not go away, shortness of breath, joint pain, or rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun.

Call your doctor or get medical care right away if you develop any of the above symptoms. Your treatment with HUMIRA may be stopped.

Common side effects of HUMIRA are: injection site reactions (redness, rash, swelling, itching or bruising), upper respiratory infections (sinus infections), headaches, rash and nausea.

These are not all the side effects with HUMIRA. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Information You Should Know About HUMIRA® (adalimumab)

HUMIRA is a medicine called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. HUMIRA is taken by injection and is available by prescription only.

HUMIRA is used to:

  • Reduce the signs and symptoms of:
    • moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone or with methotrexate or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your ability to perform daily activities.
    • moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children 4 years of age and older. HUMIRA can be used alone or with methotrexate or with certain other medicines.
    • psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your ability to perform daily activities.
    • ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults.
    • moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) in adults who have not responded well to conventional treatments. HUMIRA is also for these adults who have lost response to or are unable to tolerate infliximab.
  • Treat moderate to severe chronic (lasting a long time) plaque psoriasis (Ps) in adults who are under the ongoing care of a physician, have the condition in many areas of their body, and who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills). When considering HUMIRA, your physician will determine if other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate.

Please see the full prescribing information, including the Medication Guide, for HUMIRA.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you cannot afford your medication, contact: www.pparx.org or call the toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) for assistance.

Legal Notices/Privacy Policy. Copyright 2009, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, U.S.A. If you have any questions about Abbott's HUMIRA.com Web site that have not been answered click here. This website and the information contained herein is intended for use by US residents only, 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.

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