What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Humira.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Read this leaflet carefully before you use Humira and keep it with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Humira is used for
The active ingredient in this medicine is adalimumab, which is a fully human monoclonal antibody. Adalimumab recognises and binds to a specific protein (tumour necrosis factor or TNF-alpha), which is present at higher levels in some inflammatory diseases.
Humira is intended for the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness.
Humira is used to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, as well as to slow down and protect the joints from further damage to help them move more freely.
Your doctor will decide if Humira should be used with another medicine called methotrexate, or on its own.
Humira can also be used to treat severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis without previous methotrexate treatment. - Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA)
pJIA is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Humira is used to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severely active pJIA, in patients 2 years of age and older, when other medicines are not appropriate.
Your doctor will decide whether Humira should be used with another medicine called methotrexate or used alone. - Enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA)
ERA is an inflammatory disease of the joints and the places where tendons join the bone. Humira is used to treat ERA in children.
You may have already been given other medicines to treat your condition.
Your doctor has prescribed Humira for you as you haven't responded well enough to these medicines. - Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
PsA is an inflammatory disease of the joints that is usually associated with psoriasis. Signs and symptoms include joint pain, tenderness and swelling. Humira is used to reduce the signs and symptoms, of moderate to severely active PsA, as well as to slow down and protect the joints from further damage, to help them move more freely.
You may have already been given other medicines to treat your condition.
Your doctor has prescribed Humira for you as you haven't responded well enough to these medicines. - Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease of the spine. Signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include back pain and stiffness. Humira is used to reduce the signs and symptoms in patients with active disease. - Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. Humira is used to treat moderate to severe Crohn's disease, in adults and children aged 6 years and over, to reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease and to induce and maintain periods where the symptoms are no longer present (remission).
You may have already been given other medicines to treat your condition.
Your doctor has prescribed Humira for you as you may either have not responded well enough, or you may have lost response or cannot tolerate these medicines. - Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine (bowel). Humira is used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis when other medicines are not appropriate. - Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of the skin. Plaque psoriasis, the most common form, is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of the skin covered with silvery scales. Plaque psoriasis can also affect nails, causing them to crumble, thicken and lift away from the nail bed which can be painful. Humira is used to treat moderate to severe forms of the disease in adults and severe forms in adolescents and children from 4 years of age for whom topical therapy (such as creams, lotions and ointments) and phototherapy (also known as light therapy) have either not worked very well or are not suitable. - Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)
HS (sometimes called acne inversa) is a chronic and often painful inflammatory skin disease. Symptoms may include tender nodules (lumps) and abscesses (boils) that may leak pus, which can have an unpleasant odour. It most commonly affects specific areas of the skin, such as under the breasts, the armpits, inner thighs, groin and buttocks. Scarring may also occur in affected areas.
Humira is used for the treatment of adult and adolescents from 12 years of age with active moderate to severe HS. Humira can reduce the number of nodules and abscesses caused by the disease, and the pain that is often associated with it.
You may have already been given other medicines to treat your condition.
Your doctor has prescribed Humira for you as you haven't responded well enough to these medicines. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to check on your progress to determine whether you should continue treatment. - Uveitis
Uveitis is an inflammatory disease affecting certain parts of the eye.This inflammation may lead to a decrease of vision and/or the presence of floaters in the eye (black dots or wispy lines that move across the field of vision). Humira is used to treat non-infectious intermediate, posterior and pan-uveitis.
You may have already been given other medicines to treat your condition. Your doctor has prescribed Humira for you as you may either have not responded well enough, or you have lost response or cannot tolerate these medicines.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
The long-term effects of Humira on the growth and development of children is not known.
Before you use Humira
When you must not use it
Do not use Humira if you have an allergy to any medicine containing adalimumab or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- chest tightness
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- hives, itching or skin rash.
Do not use Humira if you have a severe infection including an infection of the blood (sepsis), active tuberculosis or other severe infections that can be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites or bacteria. Infections can occur when the body's natural defences are lowered.
Do not use Humira if you are already using anakinra (Kineret). Anakinra is a medicine for rheumatoid arthritis, JIA and conditions associated with a defect in a protein called cryoprin.
Do not use Humira if you have moderate to severe heart failure.
If you are not sure whether any of the above conditions apply to you, ask your doctor.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the label / blister / carton or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Return out of date or damaged medicines to your pharmacist for disposal.
Before you use it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if:
- you have or have had an infection, including a long-term infection or an infection in one part of the body (for example, leg ulcer).
- you have had infections which keep coming back or other conditions that increase the risk of infections.
If you are over 65, you may be more likely to get an infection while taking Humira. It is important that you and your doctor pay special attention to signs of infection while you are being treated with Humira. - you have ever had tuberculosis, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has had tuberculosis.
As cases of tuberculosis have been reported in patients treated with Humira, your doctor will check you for signs and symptoms of tuberculosis before starting Humira. This will include a thorough medical evaluation, including your medical history, and appropriate screening tests (for example, a chest x-ray and tuberculin test).
Tuberculosis can develop during therapy even if you have received treatment for the prevention of tuberculosis.
If symptoms of tuberculosis (for example a cough that doesn't go away, weight loss, lack of energy, mild fever), or any other infections appear during or after therapy, tell your doctor immediately. - you are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), or you have active HBV or you think you might be at risk of contracting HBV.
In people who carry HBV, Humira can cause the virus to become active again. In some rare cases, especially if you are taking other medicines that suppress the immune system, reactivation of HBV can be life threatening. - you have or have had a fungal infection or have lived or travelled in countries where some fungal infections are common. These infections may develop or become more severe if you take Humira.
- you have or have had uveitis, your doctor may check for signs and symptoms of neurologic disease before starting this medicine.
- you have or develop a demyelinating disease (a disease that affects the insulating layer around the nerves, such as multiple sclerosis).
- you have or have had allergic reactions such as chest tightness, wheezing, dizziness, swelling or rash.
- you have or have had a blood disorder.
- you have or have had low resistance to disease.
- you have or have had a serious heart condition.
- you have or have had cancer or autoimmune disease.
- you have a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- you have or have had kidney or liver problems.
Tell your doctor if you are scheduled for any vaccines. Certain vaccines may cause infections and should not be given while patients are receiving Humira.
Wherever possible, it is recommended that children be brought up to date with all immunisations according to current immunisation guidelines prior to starting Humira therapy. Patients receiving Humira should not receive live vaccines.
Tell your doctor if you have psoriasis and have undergone phototherapy, also known as light therapy.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should consider the use of adequate contraception to prevent pregnancy and continue its use for at least 5 months after the last Humira treatment.
Humira should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed.
A pregnancy study found that there was no higher risk of birth defects when the mother had used Humira during pregnancy, compared with mothers with the same disease who did not use Humira.
If you use Humira during pregnancy, your baby may have a higher risk of getting an infection.
It is important that you tell your baby's doctors and other healthcare professionals about your Humira use during your pregnancy before the baby receives any vaccine.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether Humira passes into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding while you are using this medicine.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start using Humira.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines and Humira may interfere with each other.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking anakinra (Kineret) or abatacept (Orencia) Taking either of these two medicines together with Humira may increase the risk of infection.
Tell your doctor if you are taking azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine with Humira.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines to treat your condition. Humira can be taken together with other medicines such as: methotrexate and other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic agents (for example, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide and injectable gold preparations), steroids or pain medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using this medicine.
How to use Humira
Humira is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin). It may be injected by the patient, family member or carer.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the label or in this leaflet, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
Always use Humira exactly as your doctor has instructed you.
You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How much to use
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults
The usual dose for adults with rheumatoid arthritis, is one 40mg injection every fortnight.
If you are receiving Humira without methotrexate, your doctor may change your Humira dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every fortnight, depending on your response.
Other medicines may be prescribed by your doctor to be taken while you are being treated with Humira.
Psoriatic Arthritis & Ankylosing Spondylitis in Adults
The usual dose for patients with psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis is one 40 mg injection every fortnight.
Other medicines may be prescribed by your doctor to be taken while you are being treated with Humira.
Crohn's disease & Ulcerative Colitis in Adults
The usual dose for adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is as follows:
- initial dose of 160 mg (day 1) (given as two 80 mg injections in one day OR as one 80 mg injection per day over two consecutive days OR as four 40 mg injections in one day OR as two 40 mg injections per day over two consecutive days)
- 80 mg at day 15 (given as one 80 mg injection OR two 40 mg injections in one day)
- 40 mg starting at day 29, which then continues once every fortnight (maintenance dose).
Your doctor may change this ongoing (maintenance) dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every fortnight, depending on your response.
Psoriasis in Adults
The usual dose for adult patients with psoriasis is as follows:
- initial dose of 80 mg (day 1) (given as one 80 mg injection OR two 40 mg injections in one day)
- 40 mg given one week later (day 8), then
- 40 mg every fortnight from day 22 (maintenance dose).
Your doctor may change this ongoing (maintenance) dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every fortnight, depending on your response.
Uveitis in Adults
The usual dose for adults with uveitis is as follows:
- initial dose of 80 mg (day 1) (given as one 80 mg injection OR as two 40 mg injections in one day),
- 40 mg one week later (day 8), then
- 40 mg every fortnight, starting at day 22, which then continues (maintenance dose).
Hidradenitis suppurativa in Adults
The usual dose for adults with HS is as follows:
- initial dose of 160 mg (day 1) (given as two 80 mg injections in one day, OR as one 80 mg injection per day over two consecutive days OR as four 40 mg injections in one day OR as two 40 mg injections per day over two consecutive days)
- 80 mg dose (day 15) (given as one 80 mg injection OR two 40 mg injections in one day)
- 40 mg every week or 80 mg every fortnight starting at day 29, which then continues (maintenance dose).
Your doctor may prescribe other medicines for your condition to take with Humira.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis & Enthesitis-Related Arthritis
The usual dose for children with pJIA, or ERA depends on body weight.
For a body weight of 30 kg and above:
The usual dose is 40 mg given every fortnight.
For a body weight between 10 kg and less than 30 kg:
The usual dose is 20 mg given every fortnight.
Crohn's disease in Children
The usual dose for children with Crohn's disease depends on body weight.
For a body weight of 40 kg or above:
- initial dose of 160 mg (day 1) (given as two 80 mg injections in one day OR as one 80 mg injection per day over two consecutive days OR as four 40 mg injections in one day OR as two 40 mg injections per day over two consecutive days)
- 80 mg two weeks later (day 15) (given as one 80 mg OR as two 40 mg injections in one day).
- 40 mg every fortnight starting at day 29, which then continues (maintenance dose).
Your doctor may change this ongoing (maintenance) dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every fortnight, depending on your response.
For a body weight of less than 40 kg:
- initial dose of 80 mg (day 1) (given as one 80 mg injection OR as two 40 mg injections in one day)
- 40mg two weeks later (day 15)
- 20mg every fortnight, starting at day 29, which then continues (maintenance dose).
Your doctor may change this ongoing (maintenance) dose to 20 mg every week, depending on your response.
Treatment of Crohn's disease in children should be supported by good nutrition to allow appropriate growth.
Psoriasis in Children
The usual dose for children with psoriasis depends on body weight.
For a body weight of 40 kg and above:
The usual dose is 40mg given once every week for the first two weeks, then once every fortnight.
For a body weight of less than 40 kg:
The usual dose is 20 mg given once every week for the first two weeks, then once every fortnight.
Hidradenitis suppurativa in Adolescents
The usual dose for with HS, (from 12 years of age, weighing at least 30 kg) is as follows:
- initial dose of 80 mg (day 1) given as one 80 mg injection OR as two 40 mg injections in one day),
- 40 mg one week later (day 8).
- 40 mg every fortnight starting at day 22, which then continues (maintenance dose).
Your doctor may change this ongoing (maintenance) dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every fortnight, depending on your response.
It is recommended you use an antiseptic wash daily on the affected areas.
How to use it
Humira is injected under the skin. The injection can be self-administered or given by another person, for example a family member friend or carer, but only after proper training in injection technique.
If you are using the Humira pen, instructions for preparing and giving an injection of Humira are provided in the Injecting instructions supplied with the product.
Read these instructions carefully and follow them step by step. These instructions explain how to self-inject this medicine.
Do not attempt to self-inject until you are sure that you understand how to prepare and give the injection. Your doctor or his/her assistant will also show you best how to self-inject.
Keep Humira out of the sight and reach of children.
- What should I do before I give myself a Humira injection?
- Take one dose tray containing a pre-filled pen of Humira from the refrigerator
- Do not shake or drop the pre-filled pen
- Leave Humira at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before injecting.
Do not remove the grey cap or plum cap while allowing Humira to reach room temperature.
Do not warm Humira in any other way.
For example, do not warm it in a microwave or in hot water.
Do not use it if the solution has been frozen. - Check the expiry date on the pre-filled pen label. Do not use the product after the month and year shown.
- Hold the pre-filled pen with the grey cap (labelled '1') pointing up. Check the appearance of Humira solution through the windows on the sides of the pre-filled pen.
It must be clear and colourless. If it is cloudy or has particles in it, you must not use it.
Do not remove either the grey cap or the plum cap, until immediately before the injection. - Set up the following items on a clean surface
- One Humira pre-filled pen.
- One alcohol pad. - Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Where should I give my injections?
- Choose a site on your thigh or stomach (at least 5 cm from your belly button (navel)). Please see the shaded area in Figure 3.
- Change the place that you inject each time so that you do not become sore in one area. Each new injection should be given at least 3 cm from the last injection site.
Do not inject into skin that is sore, bruised, red, hard, scarred, has stretch marks, or areas with psoriasis plaques.
- How do I give my injection?
- Wipe your skin by using the enclosed alcohol pad, using a circular motion.
- Only remove both the grey cap and the plum cap immediately before injection.
- Hold the grey body of the pre-filled pen with one hand by placing this hand in the middle of the pen so that neither the grey cap nor the plum cap is covered. Hold the pre-filled pen with the grey cap pointing up.
- With your other hand, pull the grey cap straight off and discard cap.
- Check that the small grey needle cover of the syringe has been removed with the cap. If a few small drops of liquid come out of the needle, that is okay. The white needle sleeve will now be exposed.
- Do not try to touch the needle housed in the barrel.
- DO NOT RECAP the pen as you may damage the needle inside
- Pull the plum safety cap (labelled '2') straight off to expose the plum coloured activation button.
- The pre-filled pen is now ready to use. Do not press the plum activation button until properly positioned as this will result in discharge of medication.
DO NOT RECAP as this could cause the unit to discharge and could potentially cause needle stick injury. - Do not place the pen down as this could cause the unit to discharge.
- Giving the injection
- With your free hand, gently grasp or pinch a sizable area of the cleaned skin at the injection site and hold firmly for the entire injection procedure. (see Figure 4).
- Position the white end of the pre-filled pen at a right angle (90 degrees) to the skin, so that you can see the window. The presence of one or more bubbles in the window is normal.
- Holding the barrel of the pre-filled pen, press down slightly onto the injection site (holding in place without moving), but do not press plum end until ready for injection.
- With your index finger or your thumb, press the plum coloured button on top once you are ready to begin the injection. You will hear a loud 'click' as the needle is released, and you will feel a small prick as the needle advances.
- Keep pressing and continue to hold the pen with steady pressure for about 10 seconds to ensure a complete injection. Do not remove the pen while the injection is being given.
- You will see a yellow indicator move into the window during the injection. The injection is complete when the yellow indicator stops moving (see Figure 5).
- Lift the pen straight up from the injection site. The white needle sleeve will move down over the needle and lock into place over the needle tip. Do not try to touch the needle. The white needle sleeve is there to protect you from touching the needle (see Figure 6)
- You may notice a spot of blood at the injection site. You can press a cotton ball or a piece of gauze over the injection site for 10 seconds.
Do NOT rub the injection site.
- Throwing away supplies
- Only use each pen for one injection. Do not put either of the caps back on the pen.
- After injecting Humira, immediately throw away the used pen in a special 'sharps' container as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
- Keep this container out of reach and sight of children.
For more information:
Australia: Call us on 1800 043 460 or visit www.abbviecare.com.au
New Zealand: Call us on 0800 900 030 or visit www.abbviecare.co.nz
How long to use it
Keep using Humira for as long as your doctor tells you.
Humira will not cure your condition but should help your symptoms.
Ask your doctor if you are not sure how long to take the medicine for.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to give yourself an injection, you should inject the next dose of Humira as soon as you remember. Then inject your next dose as you would have on your originally scheduled day.
Do not try to make up for missed doses by injecting more than one dose at a time.
If you use too much (overdose)
If you accidentally inject Humira more frequently than prescribed by your doctor, immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (Australia Telephone 13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Always take the outer carton of the medicine with you.
While you are using Humira
Things you must do
Check with your doctor before you receive any vaccines.
Wherever possible, it is recommended that children be brought up to date with all immunisations in according to current immunisation guidelines prior to starting Humira therapy.
Patients receiving Humira should not receive live vaccines (for example, BCG or oral polio vaccine).
If you become pregnant while using Humira, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor you are using Humira.
Tell all doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using Humira.
If you are going to have surgery, tell all doctors that you are using Humira. Your doctor may recommend you discontinue using Humira temporarily.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Things you must not do
Do not give Humira to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use Humira to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking Humira, without checking with your doctor.
Do not take Humira and anakinra (Kineret) or Humira and abatacept (Orencia) together. Taking either of these two medicines with Humira may lead to an increased risk of developing a serious infection.
Things to be careful of
It is important to tell your doctor if you get symptoms of an infection, such as a fever, skin sores, feeling tired or any problems with your teeth and gums.
You might get infections more easily while you are receiving Humira treatment. These infections may be serious and include tuberculosis, infections caused by viruses, fungi, parasites or bacteria, or other infections. Sepsis, an infection of the blood, may, in rare cases, be life-threatening.
Your doctor may recommend you discontinue Humira if you develop an infection.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Humira affects you. The effects on your ability to drive and use machines whilst taking this medicine are not known.
Side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while using Humira or you have any problems using it.
Do this even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
All medicines can have unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some side-effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you experience any of the following:
- Signs of an allergic reaction such as:
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- Hives, itching or skin rash. - Signs and symptoms suggestive of heart failure such as shortness of breath with exertion or upon lying down or swelling of the feet
- Signs and symptoms suggestive of a blood disorder such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding very easily, paleness.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- Signs of tuberculosis such as persistent cough, weight loss, listlessness, fever
- Signs of infection such as fever, lack of energy, skin sores, problems with your teeth or gums, burning when you pass urine
You might get infections more easily while you are receiving Humira treatment. - Signs of nervous system disorders such as numbness or tingling throughout your body, arm or leg weakness, double vision
- Signs of soft tissue infection, such as a bump or open sore that doesn't heal.
The above list includes serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- Pain, swelling, redness or itching at the site of injection
- Cold, runny nose, sinus infection, sore throat, cough, congestion on the chest, asthma or worsening of asthma symptoms
- Lower respiratory tract infections (such as bronchitis, pneumonia)
- Pain in the ear which could suggest an ear infection
- Pain or inflammation of the eye or eye lid or changes to your vision
- Mouth ulcers, pain or excessive bleeding from the gums
- Burning or pain when passing urine, or blood in the urine
- Skin bumps or sores that don't heal
- Headache or migraine, dizziness, vertigo
- Muscle weakness or numbness, difficulty balancing
- Fever, flushing, increased sweating
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- Reflux or heartburn
- Chest pain
- Rash, itching, redness or scaly patches
- Problems with your finger or toe nails
- Hair loss
- Fatigue, tiredness, lack of energy
- Muscle, joint or bone pain
- Bleeding or bruising more easily than usual
- Feeling overwhelmed or sad, or lacking motivation (depression)
- Feeling anxious, especially fearful or worried (anxiety)
- Increased heart rate
- Viral infections (including the flu, cold sore blisters, chicken pox and shingles)
- Bacterial infections (including urinary tract infection)
- Fungal Infections.
The above list includes the more common side effects of Humira. They are usually mild and short-lived.
There have been cases of certain kinds of cancer in patients using Humira or similar medicines. People with more serious rheumatoid arthritis that have had the disease for a long time may have a higher chance of getting a kind of cancer that affects the lymph system, called lymphoma, or that affects the blood, called leukaemia. If you take Humira your risk may increase.
On rare occasions, a specific and severe type of lymphoma has been observed in patients taking Humira.
Tell your doctor if new skin lesions (skin spots or sores) appear, or if existing lesions change appearance during or after Humira treatment. Very rare cases of skin cancer have been observed in patients taking Humira.
If you have COPD, or are a heavy smoker, you should discuss with your doctor whether treatment with a TNF blocker is right for you. There have been cases of cancers other than lymphoma in patients with a specific type of lung disease called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) treated with another TNF blocker.
Laboratory results
Some side effects observed with Humira may not have symptoms and may only be discovered through blood tests. These include, most commonly, increased lipids, elevated liver enzymes and low levels of white blood cells, and red blood cells in the blood.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.
After using Humira
Storage
Keep your pre-filled pen in the pack until it is time to use it in order to protect it from light.
Keep Humira in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.
Keep Humira in the refrigerator in a way children cannot get to it.
Keep the medicine at the right temperature when you travel. This is important whether travelling by car, bus, train, plane or any other form of transport.
When needed, you can store a pre-filled pen at room temperature (below 25°C) for a maximum period of 14 days. Be sure to protect it from light.
Once removed from the refrigerator, and stored at room temperature, the pen must be used within 14 days or discarded. Do this even if has been returned to the refrigerator.
These storage instructions are also important when you are travelling.
Write down the date you first remove the pen from the refrigerator on the label, so you can check how long it has been.
Disposal
After injecting Humira, immediately throw away the used pen in a special 'sharps' container as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
If your doctor tells you to stop using Humira or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Humira is a clear, colourless, sterile solution of 40 mg adalimumab in 0.8 mL water in a syringe available in a Pre-filled pen for patient use in packs containing 2, 4 or 6 pre-filled pens with 2, 4 or 6 alcohol pads.
Ingredients
Humira contains 40 mg of adalimumab as the active ingredient:
It also contains other ingredients including:
- Sodium chloride
- Monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
- Dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
- Sodium citrate dihydrate
- Citric acid monohydrate
- Mannitol
- Polysorbate 80
- Water for injections.
Not all presentations may be marketed.
Distributor
Humira is distributed in Australia by:
AbbVie Pty Ltd
ABN 48 156 384 262
241 O'Riordan Street
Mascot NSW 2020
This leaflet was prepared in: July 2019
Australian Registration Number: AUST R 199410
Version 28
Published by MIMS September 2019