Adalimumab

This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Abrilada (1 Pen); Abrilada (2 Pen); Abrilada (2 Syringe); Amjevita; Amjevita-Ped 10kg to <15kg; Amjevita-Ped 15kg to <30kg; Cyltezo (2 Pen); Cyltezo (2 Syringe); Cyltezo-CD/UC/HS Starter; Cyltezo-Psoriasis/UV Starter; Hadlima; Hadlima PushTouch; Hulio (2 Pen); Hulio (2 Syringe); Humira (2 Pen); Humira (2 Syringe); Humira-CD/UC/HS Starter; Humira-Ped>/=40kg Crohns Start; Humira-Ped>/=40kg UC Starter; Humira-Ped<40kg Crohns Starter; Humira-Ps/UV/Adol HS Starter; Humira-Psoriasis/Uveit Starter; Hyrimoz; Hyrimoz-Crohns/UC Starter; Hyrimoz-Ped>/=40kg Crohn Start; Hyrimoz-Ped<40kg Crohn Starter; Hyrimoz-Plaque Psoriasis Start; Idacio (2 Pen); Idacio (2 Syringe); Idacio-Crohns/UC Starter; Idacio-Psoriasis Starter; Yuflyma (1 Pen); Yuflyma (2 Pen); Yuflyma (2 Syringe); Yuflyma-CD/UC/HS Starter; Yusimry

Brand Names: Canada

Abrilada; Amgevita; Amgevita SureClick; Hadlima; Hadlima PushTouch; Hulio; Humira; Hyrimoz; Idacio; Simlandi; Yuflyma

Warning

  • This drug may raise the chance of infection, including severe infections. Sometimes severe infections have led to death. Most people who had these infections were taking other drugs to lower the immune system like methotrexate or steroid drugs. If your child has any infection, is taking antibiotics now or in the recent past, or has had many infections, talk with your child’s doctor.
  • TB (tuberculosis) has been seen in patients started on this drug. These patients were exposed to TB in the past, but never got the infection. The doctor will test to see if your child has been exposed to TB before starting this drug.
  • Lymphoma and other cancers have happened in children and teenagers taking this drug or drugs like it. These cancers have also happened in adults. Sometimes, this has been deadly. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
  • A rare type of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) has happened with this drug and other drugs like it. These cases have been deadly. Almost all cases were in people who were using drugs like this one along with certain other drugs (azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine). Most of the time, this happened during treatment for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Also, most cases were in male teenagers or young males. Talk with the doctor.

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat some types of arthritis.
  • It is used to treat Crohn’s disease.
  • It is used to treat ulcerative colitis.
  • It is used to treat a skin problem called hidradenitis suppurativa.
  • It is used to treat uveitis.
  • It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

  • If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
  • If your child is taking any of these drugs: Abatacept or anakinra.
  • If your child is using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

  • Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • Make sure your child is up to date with all vaccines before treatment with this drug.
  • Talk with the doctor before your child gets any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with this drug may either raise the chance of very bad infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
  • Your child may have more chance of getting infections. Have your child wash hands often. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • If your child has had hepatitis B before or carries the virus, talk with your child’s doctor. Drugs like this one can cause the virus to become active. This can lead to very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems.
  • Hepatitis B testing needs to be done as you were told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
  • Be sure your child does not get a weakened bacteria like BCG for bladder cancer while using this drug. Talk with the doctor.
  • Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
  • High cholesterol has happened with this drug. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
  • If your child has a latex allergy, talk with the doctor. Some products have latex.
  • If your child has a sunburn or other skin problems, talk with the doctor.
  • Have your child’s skin checked. Tell your child’s doctor if your child has any skin changes like a new wart, skin sore or reddish bump that bleeds or does not heal, or a change in the color or size of a mole.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

  • Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
  • If your child used this drug during pregnancy, tell the baby’s doctor. You will need to discuss the safety and timing of certain vaccines with the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
  • Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
  • Signs of lupus like a rash on the cheeks or other body parts, sunburn easy, muscle or joint pain, chest pain or shortness of breath, or swelling in the arms or legs.
  • Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
  • A skin lump or growth.
  • Pale skin.
  • Red scaly patches or bumps that are pus filled.
  • Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has a swollen gland, night sweats, shortness of breath, or weight loss without trying.
  • Rarely, people using drugs like this one have had nervous system problems. Sometimes, these problems have not gone away. Call the doctor right away if your child has a burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal; change in eyesight; dizziness; seizures; or weakness in the arms or legs.
  • Liver problems have happened with drugs like this one. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Heart failure has happened with this drug, as well as heart failure that has gotten worse in people who already have it. Tell the doctor if your child has heart disease. Call the doctor right away if your child has shortness of breath, a big weight gain, a heartbeat that is not normal, or swelling in the arms or legs that is new or worse.
  • Blood cell problems have happened, like aplastic anemia and a type of low white blood cell count. Tell the doctor right away if your child feels very tired or weak or has a fever, chills, shortness of breath, any unexplained bruising or bleeding, or purple “splotches” on the skin.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

  • Headache.
  • Signs of a common cold.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Upset stomach.
  • Back pain.
  • Pain, redness, swelling, or other reaction where the injection was given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All products:

  • It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh or the belly area.

Auto-injectors, prefilled pens, and prefilled syringes:

  • If you will be giving your child the shot, your child’s doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
  • Wash your hands before and after use.
  • Some products must not be shaken. However, you may need to shake some products gently to see the liquid in a viewing window. Be sure you know whether or not to shake this product.
  • Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
  • Different brands of this drug may be clear or have a slight color. Be sure you know what your brand needs to look like when ready to use. Do not use if the solution changes color. If you are not sure, talk with the pharmacist.
  • Do not give into skin within 2 inches (5 cm) of the belly button.
  • Do not give into skin that is irritated, tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, scarred, or has stretch marks.
  • Move the site where you give the shot with each shot.
  • To make the injection feel better, take this drug out of the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for up to 30 minutes before use. Do not remove the cap or cover. Do not heat this drug.
  • Throw away after using. Do not use the device more than 1 time.
  • Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
  • If you drop the device, be sure you know if it can be used or if you need to replace it. If you are not sure, read the package insert. If you have questions, talk with the doctor or pharmacist.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

Auto-injectors, prefilled pens, and prefilled syringes:

  • Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it and go back to your child’s normal time.
  • If you are not sure what to do if your child misses a dose, call the doctor.

Vials:

  • Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Auto-injectors, prefilled pens, and prefilled syringes:

  • Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
  • Do not use if it has been frozen.
  • Store in the original container to protect from light.
  • If needed, you may store at room temperature for some time. Be sure you know how long this drug may be stored at room temperature. Write down the date you take this drug out of the refrigerator. If stored at room temperature and not used within the time you are told, throw this drug away.
  • Protect from heat.

Vials:

  • If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

  • If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
  • Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-02-26

Copyright

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Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022