Frequently Asked Questions About HUMIRA®
What is HUMIRA and how does it work?
HUMIRA is a medicine called a TNF blocker, a type of protein that blocks the action
of TNF-α, a substance made by your body's immune system. People with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) have too much TNF-α in their bodies. The extra TNF-α
can attack normal healthy body tissue and cause inflammation especially in the tissues
of your bones, cartilage, and joints. HUMIRA can help block the damage that too
much TNF-α can cause. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to the bones and joints
of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis patients, and may help the ability to
perform daily activities.
HUMIRA also is a biologic disease-modifying medicine that interrupts the inflammation process and may help prevent further progression of joint
damage. The active ingredient resembles an antibody that is normally found in your body, so it helps your body fight RA the way it
would if it could. HUMIRA can also be taken with pain medications and some other disease-modifying drugs. Talk to your doctor about any
other medications you are taking.
How is HUMIRA different from other medications that treat rheumatoid arthritis?
HUMIRA is a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, also called a biologic DMARD, or simply "biologic." Biologics are a class of advanced medications
approved for reducing the signs and symptoms of RA, and some are also approved for slowing the further progression of structural damage to the
joints caused by moderate to severe RA.
Other biologic DMARDs include ENBREL® (etanercept), REMICADE® (infliximab),
Kineret® (anakinra), ORENCIA® (abatacept), and Rituxan®
(rituximab). ENBREL and Kineret are self-injected, and REMICADE, ORENCIA, and Rituxan require a visit to a health care professional to
administer the medication by intravenous infusion (IV).
ENBREL, REMICADE, Kineret, ORENCIA, and Rituxan are not registered trademarks of Abbott.
HUMIRA can be injected by you or a caregiver in the convenience of your own home. It usually needs to be used once every 2 weeks,
which may be convenient for your lifestyle.
Can I use HUMIRA if I'm taking other medicines for my rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions?
Yes, you can take other medicines if your doctor has prescribed them, or has told you it's okay to take them while you're taking HUMIRA.
It's important that you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking for other conditions (for example, high blood
pressure medicine) before you start taking HUMIRA.
You should also tell your doctor about any over-the-counter drugs, painkillers, herbal medicines, and vitamin and mineral
supplements you're taking. You should not take HUMIRA with other TNF blockers or with another medication called
Kineret® (anakinra). If you have questions, you should ask your doctor.
HUMIRA is supplied in a single-use, pre-filled syringe or Pen. It should NOT be mixed with any other medication (such as insulin),
nor should any other medications be added to the syringe or Pen.
How do I use HUMIRA?
You take HUMIRA by giving yourself an injection under the skin, usually every other week. HUMIRA cannot be taken by mouth. Ask your
doctor to show you or a caregiver how to inject HUMIRA. If you accidentally take more HUMIRA than you were told to take, you should call
your doctor. Make sure you have been shown how to inject HUMIRA before you do it yourself.
You can call your doctor or the HUMIRA Patient Resource Center at 1-800-4HUMIRA (448-6472) if you have any questions about giving
yourself an injection. Someone you know can also help you with your injection.
Remember to take this medicine just as your doctor has told you and do not miss any doses.
When should I use HUMIRA?
Some patients find it helpful to inject HUMIRA in the morning or at bedtime. However, once you find a time that you prefer, taking the
medication at a consistent time can help you remember to take it. It's also a good idea to mark your calendar with the dates of your
treatment. This may help you remember when to take it. Always follow your doctor's instructions on when and how often to take HUMIRA.
If you forget to take HUMIRA when you're supposed to, inject the next dose right away. Then take your next dose when your next scheduled
dose is due. This will put you back on schedule. If you have any questions, consult your doctor.
How should I store HUMIRA?
HUMIRA needs to be stored in a refrigerator (2°C-8°C/36°F-46°F) in its original container and protected from light
until it's used. HUMIRA should never be put in the freezer or frozen. Refrigerated HUMIRA remains stable until the expiration
date printed on the pre-filled syringe or Pen. If you need to take it with you, such as when you're traveling, store it in a cool carrier
with an ice pack and protect it from light. Care should be taken to avoid dropping or crushing the product as it contains a glass syringe.
How often and for how long will I have to use HUMIRA?
The recommended dose of HUMIRA for adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 40mg (milligrams) injected every other week. Always follow
your doctor's instructions about when and how often to take HUMIRA. Your doctor may instruct you to take HUMIRA more frequently (every week).
You should talk to your doctor about the dosage and frequency of your injections. Your doctor can advise you whether to adjust your
medication based on how you're doing and what other medications you may be taking.
HUMIRA is a medication that's intended to provide long-term management of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor can
provide you with more information on how HUMIRA works and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you.
Will HUMIRA cure my disease?
Unfortunately, there are no current treatments available that can cure rheumatoid arthritis. However, HUMIRA is a disease-modifying medicine that
can control inflammation. It treats the disease by relieving the pain and by helping to slow joint damage.
How long before I will start to see and feel improvement?
Some patients see results as soon as 2 weeks. Full effect may take up to 3 months. To know it's working, you'll likely notice less pain,
swelling, and joint stiffness. You may also notice an increased range of movement and less fatigue.
What should I do with my used Pen or syringe after I take HUMIRA? Can I reuse the needle?
HUMIRA comes in single-dose, pre-filled Pens or in pre-filled syringes. The needle is not removable or reusable.
You should always check with your healthcare provider for instructions on how to properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
You should follow any special state or local laws regarding the proper disposal of needles and syringes. DO NOT throw the needle or
syringe in the household trash or recycle. Here are some tips that you may find helpful:
Place the used needles and syringes in a "Sharps" container, which is specially made for disposing of used syringes and needles. Or you can
use a hard plastic container with a screw-on cap or metal container with a plastic lid labeled "used syringes." Do not use glass or clear
plastic containers. You should always keep the container out of the reach of children.
When the container is about two-thirds full, tape the cap or lid down so it doesn't come off, then dispose of it as instructed by your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist. Do not throw the container in the household trash or recycle. Sign up for our free Sharps disposal service at
myHUMIRA.com
Items used in preparation of your injection, such as gauze or cotton balls, may be placed in the trash, unless otherwise instructed by your
doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. The dose tray and cover may be recycled.
What is the most important information I should know about HUMIRA?
HUMIRA is a medicine that affects your immune system. HUMIRA can lower the ability
of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened
in patients receiving HUMIRA. These infections include TB (tuberculosis) and infections
caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some
patients have died from these infections.
HUMIRA may not be right for you. Before starting HUMIRA, tell your doctor
if you:
- think you have any kind of infection, even if it is very minor (such as an open
sore).
- are being treated for an infection
- have signs of an infection, such as a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms
- have warm, red, or painful skin
- get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back
- have or had hepatitis B infection. If you are a chronic carrier of the virus that
causes hepatitis B, taking HUMIRA could cause the hepatitis B virus to become an
active infection again.
- have TB, or have been in close contact with someone who has TB. Your doctor should
test you for TB before starting HUMIRA. If your doctor prescribes any medicine for
the treatment of TB, you should start taking it before starting HUMIRA and take
the full course of TB medicine prescribed.
- have lived in an area where TB or histoplasmosis is common. If you do not know if
you have lived in an area where TB or histoplasmosis is common, ask your doctor.
- were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk of getting
TB. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
- take the medicine Kineret (anakinra). You may have a higher chance for serious infections
and a low white blood cell count when taking HUMIRA with Kineret.
- are scheduled to have major surgery
After starting HUMIRA, call your doctor right away if you get an infection, or any sign of an infection, including:
- a fever
- feel very tired
- a cough
- flu-like symptoms
- warm, red, or painful skin
- open sores on your body
HUMIRA can make you more likely to get infections or make an infection that you may have worse.
Please see "What important information do I need to know about side effects with
HUMIRA?" for additional information regarding possible side effects. Also, please
read the Medication
Guide and discuss it your doctor.
How will I know if I'm allergic to HUMIRA?
Warning signs may include a severe rash, swollen face, or difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor
or seek emergency care immediately.
The needle cover on the pre-filled syringe contains dry natural rubber. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to rubber or latex.
Are there any foods that interact with HUMIRA?
Studies have not been done to see how HUMIRA interacts with food. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
Can I drink alcohol when using HUMIRA?
Studies have not been done to see how HUMIRA interacts with alcohol. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
Who shouldn't use HUMIRA?
You should not use HUMIRA if you have an allergy to any of the ingredients in HUMIRA (including sodium phosphate, sodium citrate,
citric acid, mannitol, and polysorbate 80). The needle cover on the pre-filled syringe contains dry natural rubber. Tell your doctor
if you have any allergies to rubber or latex.
What information should I share with my doctor before starting HUMIRA?
Before starting HUMIRA, tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including
if you:
- have an infection. See "What is the most important information I should know about
HUMIRA?"
- have any numbness or tingling or have a disease that affects your nervous system
such as multiple sclerosis or Guillian-Barré syndrome.
- have heart failure or other heart conditions. If you have heart failure, it may
get worse while you are taking HUMIRA.
- have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. Patients receiving
HUMIRA should not receive live vaccines.
- are allergic to rubber or latex. The needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains
dry natural rubber. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to rubber or latex.
- are allergic to HUMIRA or to any of its ingredients. See "Who shouldn’t use HUMIRA?".
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and
non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially, tell your
doctor if you take Kineret (anakinra). You may have a higher chance
for serious infections and a low white blood cell count when taking HUMIRA with
Kineret. Also, tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines that suppress
the immune system.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your
doctor and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.
If you are not sure or have any questions about any of this information, ask your
doctor.
What Important Information Do I Need to Know About Side Effects with HUMIRA?
Serious side effects, which sometimes lead to death, have happened in people taking
HUMIRA, including:
Serious infections See "What is the most important information
I should know about HUMIRA?"
Your doctor will examine you for TB (tuberculosis) 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: a cough that does not go away, low grade fever, weight loss, loss
of body fat and muscle (wasting)
Certain types of cancer. There have been cases of certain kinds
of cancer in patients taking HUMIRA or other TNF blockers. 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 an open sore that doesn’t heal.
Patients with RA, especially more serious RA, may have a higher chance for getting
a kind of cancer called lymphoma.
Allergic reactions. Signs of a serious allergic reaction include
a skin rash, a swollen face, or trouble breathing.
Hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients who carry the virus in their blood.
In some cases patients have died as a result of hepatitis B virus being reactivated.
Your doctor should monitor you carefully during treatment with HUMIRA if you carry
the hepatitis B virus in your blood. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
feel unwell, poor appetite, fatigue, fever, skin rash or joint pain.
Nervous system problems. Signs and symptoms of a nervous system
problem include: numbness or tingling, problems with your vision, weakness in your
arms or legs, and dizziness.
Blood problems. Your body may not make enough of the blood cells
that help fight infections or help stop bleeding. Symptoms include a fever that
does not go away, bruising or bleeding very easily, or looking very pale.
New heart failure or worsening of the 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 a rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun. Symptoms may go away
when you stop HUMIRA.
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 with HUMIRA include:
- Injection site reactions such as redness, rash, swelling, itching, or bruising.
These symptoms usually will go away within a few days. If you have pain, redness
or swelling around the injection site that doesn’t go away within a few days or
gets worse, call your doctor right away.
- Upper respiratory infections (including sinus infections)
- Headaches
- Rash
- Nausea
These are not all the possible side effects with HUMIRA. Tell your doctor if you
have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Ask your doctor
or pharmacist for more information.
Can I use HUMIRA if I'm pregnant or breast-feeding?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
HUMIRA should only be used during a pregnancy if needed. Women who are breastfeeding
should talk to their doctor about whether or not to use HUMIRA.
Pregnancy Registry: Abbott Laboratories has a registry for pregnant
women exposed to HUMIRA. The purpose of this registry is to check the health of
the pregnant mother and her child. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant and contact
the registry at 1.877.311.8972.
What else can I do to take care of my disease besides taking medications?
To better manage your RA, it may be helpful to eat a healthy diet, get adequate rest, and lose any excess weight. It's also a
good idea to exercise regularly, which can help build strength, endurance and mobility. Many people find stress management beneficial,
too.