In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Is this exactly Humira? What does the drug contain and what is its exact use? Are there any contraindications to the drug treatment? Humira is an injectable, prescription, proprietary drug. The agent is included in the group of immunomodulating and anti-cancer drugs.
Humira is a preparation for injection. The main active substance of the preparation is adalimumab. Humira is a prescription-only medicine for restricted use only. What is the dosage of the preparation? Can anyone take the preparation? Does Humira have side effects?
Humira – what is it
The preparation is used in rheumatoid arthritis in combination with methotrexate. In this type of disease, the agent is added to treatment as an adjunct or when treatment with methotrexate fails. Another use of the drug is the treatment of active, polyarticular, idiopathic arthritis in children under 2 years of age. Humira is recommended when the response of traditional medicines to the symptoms of the disease is insufficient or its components are not tolerated by the body for various reasons. In which diseases does the doctor decide to include Humira in the therapy?
- active form of arthritis associated with enthesitis
- acute form of ankylosing spondylitis
- progressive psoriatic arthritis
- moderate to severe chronic form of psoriasis vulgaris in adults
- severe chronic form of psoriasis vulgaris in adolescents and children after 4 years of age
- active purulent inflammation of the apocrine sweat glands, i.e. inverse acne
- moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults
- moderate to severe, active Crohn’s disease in adolescents and children under 6 years of age
- moderate to severe, active ulcerative colitis in adults
- non-infectious intermediate uveitis
Humira is an agent that is administered subcutaneously. The procedure should be performed by a specialist, but with prolonged treatment, the patient, after appropriate training, can administer the drug on his own. However, this type of treatment should be under the constant supervision of the attending physician.
Humira – side effects
Humira cannot be part of a treatment for people who are diagnosed or suspected allergy or hypersensitive to any of the ingredients. The drug is not intended for use by people suffering from heart disease, severe infections or active tuberculosis. The treating physician should know if the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding before discharge.
Like other medicines, Humira can cause side effects such as:
- bronchitis
- pneumonia
- upper respiratory tract infection
- dizziness and headache
- sinus inflammation
- pain at the injection site
- sore throat
- rhinitis
- rash
- haemorrhage
- itching
- systemic infection
- peripheral edema
- skin eruption at the site of application of the preparation
- herpes
- blurred vision
- taste disturbance
- reduction in the number of platelets and white blood cells
- kidney and liver function disorders
All disturbing symptoms must be reported to the physician, who in such a situation will decide to discontinue the drug from therapy, reduce the dose or introduce an alternative drug.
Check also: What skin symptoms should raise our legitimate concern?