What is Humira Pen?
Humira pen can be used by itself or in combination with methotrexate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.Humira Pen can also be used to treat inflammatory conditions in both adults and children, including Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic diseases, as well as ankylosing and plaque psoriasis. Some brands of Adalimumab can only be used by adults.The Humira Pen can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Humira Pen
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, swelling in your face, lips, or throat, or hives.
If you experience any of the symptoms of lymphoma, call your doctor immediately.
- A fever is characterized by swollen glands and body aches.
- Pale skin, rash, or easy bleeding
- Feeling light-headed or cold feet and hands;
- Pain in the upper abdomen that can spread to your shoulder
- Feeling full after eating a small portion of weight reduction
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Skin changes, such as pus-filled bumps or red, scaly spots;
- New or worsening heart conditions: swelling, rapid weight increase, feeling of shortness of breath
- Liver problems: loss of appetite, pain in the upper right corner of the stomach, fatigue, itchiness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
- Lupus symptoms: muscle pain or joint discomfort; flu symptoms; chest pain; and a rash that gets worse in the sun.
- Nervous system problems: numbness, tingling, or tingling in the hands or feet; dizziness or vision problems;
- Signs of tuberculosis include fever, cough, and night sweats.
If you experience certain side effects, your treatment may be permanently stopped or delayed.
Humira Pen side effects may include:
- Headache, skin rash;
- A sore throat, or symptoms of a cold, such as sneezing and a stuffy nose;
- Pain, redness, or rash where the injection was administered.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contact the FDA by dialing 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Orencia, Trexall, Ilumya, Cosentyx, Entyvio, Otezla, and Stelara
Warnings
You could get more infections, including serious or deadly infections. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience flu-like symptoms such as night sweats, confusion, neck stiffness, or vision problems. Your doctor will test you for infections or tuberculosis before you start using Humira Pen.You may experience hepatitis B after stopping Humira Pen. You may require liver function tests every few months.
Before you take this drug
Tell your doctor before you begin using the Humira Pen if you experience any symptoms of infection. These include fever, chills, cough, body aches or sores, fatigue, open wounds or sores on the skin, diarrhea, stomach pains, weight loss or loss of appetite, or bloody urination.Tell your doctor about any recent travel or exposure to fungal infections. You may get exposed to certain infections when you travel.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Tuberculosis, or if someone in your family has it,
- An active or chronic infection
- Cancer;
- Hepatitis A (Humira Pen may cause hepatitis to return or worsen);
- Diabetes;
- Congestive heart failure;
- Any numbness, tingling, or muscle disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome
- An allergic reaction to rubber or latex;
- Scheduled to undergo major surgery
- You have recently received or will soon receive any vaccine.
Before you use the Humira Pen, make sure that you have received all necessary vaccinations.Humira pen use may increase the risk of other cancers. Discuss this matter with your physician.Humira Pen has not been proven to harm unborn babies. Please inform your physician if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant during treatment with Humira Pen.Inform your doctor about using Humira Pen while pregnant. This could have an impact on your baby’s vaccination schedule.Ask your doctor if you can safely breastfeed if you are using Humira Pen.
How to take Humira Pen?
Read and follow all instructions or guides provided with your medication, as directed. Although your physician may change the dose, take it exactly as prescribed.Humira Pen can be injected into the skin. You will be taught how to use the medicine properly by a healthcare provider. Do not repeat the injection in the same area.As soon as you are ready to give an injection, only prepare and store an injection solution.. If the medicine is cloudy, has changed color, or has particles in it, call your pharmacist. If you're not sure how to inject a medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor.Weight is used to determine the dose for children and adolescents. If your child loses or gains weight, the dose may change.You could get infected more easily. This includes serious infections that can be fatal. You'll need to undergo frequent medical tests.Your doctor will perform a test to determine if you have tuberculosis or any other infection. You will have your blood tested both before and after treatment with this medication.
Humira Pen can make hepatitis B worse or return if you have had it before. You may require liver function tests during treatment and for a few months afterward.Do not freeze. Store the medicine in its original packaging in the refrigerator. Keep away from the light. Follow all instructions carefully for how to store your medication during travel. Avoid extremes of heat or cold.Do not heat the medicine with hot water, sunlight, or a microwave. Never warm up the medicine in hot water, the sun, or the microwave.After one use, throw away the prefilled syringes or auto-injectors, even if they still contain medicine.Never reuse a syringe or needle. Put them in a "sharps container" that is puncture-proof, and dispose of the sharps according to local or state laws. Keep away from children and pets.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do not take two doses at once. Never take two doses of the same medication at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Avoid injecting into hard, red, or bruised skin, as well as any skin that has been swollen and tender. Also, avoid using it on skin with scars or stretch marks.Avoid being around people who are sick. If you notice any signs of an infection, tell your doctor immediately.You could get a serious infection if you receive a "live vaccine". Live vaccines are measles (MMR), rubella, rotavirus (typhoid), yellow fever, varicella, chickenpox, and zoster.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective.
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- Abatacept, etanercept;
- Anakinra;
- Azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine,
- Certolizumab, golimumab, infliximab, and rituximab.
This list is incomplete. Humira Pen may be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines and vitamin and herb products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
