Get Informed: Humira
Active Ingredient(s)
Adalimumab
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, anklyosing spondylitis, Chron's disease, and psoriasis. It binds to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to decrease inflammatory and immune responses.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-15 5:06 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-15 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Humira
- Adalimumab
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to an increased risk of serious and potentially fatal infections, including tuberculosis. This product also has a black box warning relating to an increased risk of Lymphoma and other cancers when used in children and adolescents.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 31 Dec 2002
- Est US Patients*
- 209,800
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Humira or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Humira Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Humira interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Humira used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 1,300 patients that use Humira (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 57% | 
|
| Psoriatic Arthritis | 24% | 
|
| Crohn's Disease | 15% |
|
| Psoriasis | 7% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 2% | 
|
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | 2% |
|
How well does Humira work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 1,300 users taking Humira (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 91%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Humira outweigh the bad things.
- 10%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Humira.
Common Side Effects of Humira
iGuard regularly polls our more than 1,300 users taking Humira (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
24% of patients experience side-effects on Humira
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Humira
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Fatigue
-
Injection Site Reactions
-
Headache
-
Diarrhea
-
Nasal/Sinus Congestion
-
FLU-Like Symptoms
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bruising, Increased Infections, Itch/Rash, Muscle Pain/Cramps
Global Patient Feedback for Humira (Adalimumab) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been on daily Hydroxychloraquine 200 mg and weekly 20 mg Methotrexate for a year. I have pretty significant side effects on methotrexate. I feel flu like and have mental cloudiness the following day..despite taking Leucovorin Calcium and a daily folic acid supplement. However the benefits of methotrexate have outwieghed side effects until the last few months. I took my first injection of humira two weeks ago. I have high hopes for this drug. I do believe I am experiencing an increase in my fatigue levels and I am a little more irritable as well. I am really hoping these side effects go away the longer I take the injections. Has anyone experienced the same thing? I have not been weaned off the methotrexate as of yet...the M.D. said it would take awhile for the Humira to begin working. Anyone with real experience taking Humira and methotrexate,....I would love to get your take on your side effect experiences if you have any.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-30 21:14:51
Question/Comment:
I was diagnoised with psoriatic arthritis last year. I started on methotrexate with poor effect, then onto humira. As my inflammatorys markers in my blood were still elevated, I was changed to Enbrel and my psoriasis flared badly and joint pain seemed worse. Am now back on Humira with mixed results really. My hip and heel tendon really painfull despite steroid injections.
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-24 17:54:42
Question/Comment:
I am 68, was diagnosed with Anklyosing Spondylitis in October 2007. I had to have a double spine fusion, then 3 weeks later I was diagnosed having severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogrens Syndrome, GERDS acid reflux, COPD. I am at the eye specialist at least 6 times per year as my eyes seem to be getting worst, then two years ago. I use Restatis twice a day it reduces the inflamation behind the eyes. I do not produce any tears at all as well as saliva in the mouth. My RA doctor at the Sylvester Cancer Center first tried me on Enbrel for 6 months she saw that it did not do anything for me. Then switched to ORENCIA for 6 months that was an infusion done at the clinic once a month, that did not work, then I was put on the RITUXAN infusion and Methotrexiate, but my white blood cell count dropped to low, so I had to go off it.
I just started HUMIRA and received my 2nd injection by the doctor. Now I am going to give myself the future injections starting Sept 3rd. I am hoping so that this will help me, my RA is in severe stages, my both knees had to be drained several times as well as operated on.
I was told by all my doctors that I need two new knees, but I am not going to do it because my lungs are being comprised by the RA. I am an Ambassador to the Arthritis Foundation and an advocate and I write to my local politicians about the new funding the organization is fighting for to continue the needed required research for these auto immune diseases. I was also on high steriods, but I am finally off the prednisone. So far on the HUMIRA the past week my stomach is bothering me, but I think I will have to increase my Nexium, but before I do I will consult with my Gastroentrologist. I think it's just a small side affect from the HUMIRA.
If everyone would take a stand and contact their local state representative before they go to Washington this fall to lobby for us for the funding to continue the research and also push stem-cell research, hopefully some day there will be a cure, especially for the young people who are suffering from this kind of illness.
Thanks
69 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-23 15:30:57
Answer/Reply:
To: 68 yr female
I have extremely severe psoriatic arthritis along w/ ankylosing spondilitis an dothe varying conditions too many to list. I have tried almost everything out there including Enbrel, Raptive,Amevive, Methotrexate and have been to Israel, Mexico, Leahy Clinic,etc amongst others. I have now been on Humira for almost 2 years and have had extremely good results! It has helped my skin but the change in my arthritic condition has been dramatic. I am able to do things physically I have not been able to do for years. My e-mail is lma7@msn.com if I can be of any further assistance to you or anyone.
Grateful 63 year old male
64 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-01 14:07:25
Question/Comment:
does humira have steriods to gain weight i dont want to
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-04-14 21:00:47
Question/Comment:
I was on Enbrel for my psoriasis for 13 months, yet after 10 months, the medication seemed to have stopped working so my doctor placed me on Humira. I do like the fact of less injections, however, the severe redness, swelling and itching at the injection site is just too much for me, plus my psoriasis is coming back with a vengence! I'm not sure what to do. I meet with my doctor in May, at which time I'll be on Humira for 3 months. I'm thinking about requesting to go back on Enbrel.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-22 18:59:11
Answer/Reply:
I'm sorry your psoriasis is coming back on the Humira. I was using enbrel for psoriatic arthritis along with psoriasis and it didn't seem to work for me. It didn't take away the psoriasis and didn't help with the arthritis. However, I am now using the Humira injections and have been for 2.5 years. It has completely cleared up my psoriasis, it was gone after 6 months. I now use it weekly instead of every other week. I may have to change meds because my arthritis is getting worse, but the psoriasis is still not seen. I hope you get the relief you are looking for.
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-30 16:42:59
Answer/Reply:
I took Enbrel for 4-1/2 years and did very well but it stopped working suddenly. My doctor put me on Humira and it only worked for about 3 months. I really started going downhill fast. I went back on Methotrexate but on injections this time instead of pills. It's so much better. We recently raised the dosage to 1 cc and it feels like the ra just went away! I know it has long term effects so I am constantly watchful. I can't do Remicade, Orencia or any of the others because my military insurance, Tricare, will not pay for any of them. It's methotrexate, placquenil or nothing.
59 year old female
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-04-24 18:05:21
Answer/Reply:
I was diagnosed with RA about 2 1/2 yrs ago and was but on Remecade a year ago along with some other medicines and Oct. 2008 was changed to Humira every other week.the Humira seemed to work really well for a while but then seemed to have slowed down on working for me.I was told when I got changed to Humira and went back to the Remecade ,that the Remecade wouldn't work as well as it did the first time.It wasn't long I found out the Dr's were right,it didn't work as well as the first time.If you are having problems with the fact that the Humira burns when injected,I have found the best way for me to inject myself was to take out of frig for about 30 mins before,and take an ice pack to the area of injection,place in a paper towel or bath cloth til area is numb abit,then inject with which method you are using.You wouldn't believe the difference.Hope this helps.
46 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-06-22 15:24:17
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
36
Patient Comments about
Humira