Adalimumab

What is this medication for?

Adalimumab belongs to a class of medications named as biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARD). 

Adalimumab helps to reduce inflammation and prevents the body’s immune system from becoming overactive by blocking a substance in your body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which plays a key role in inflammation. It is used to treat several inflammatory conditions in:

• Joints (rheumatoid arthritis)

• Skin (plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa)

• Spine (axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis)

• Gut (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)

• Eye (non-infectious uveitis)

How should I take or use this medication?

• Usually given every other week, or as prescribed by your physician.

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.

• Each device should be used once only.

• Administered as an injection under the skin.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Pre-screening is conducted before starting Adalimumab. Adalimumab is generally used with precaution in the following scenario:

• Hepatitis B or hepatitis C—this medicine may cause the virus to become active again
• Current or previous cancer
• Moderate to severe heart failure
• Tuberculosis 

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. 

Do not use the autoinjector if

• The carton is damaged
• The seal is broken
• It is past its expiration date on the label
• It has been frozen
• It has been dropped on a hard surface (part of the autoinjector may be broken even if you cannot see the break) 

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• Injection-site reaction (including pain, swelling, redness, itchiness at injection site)

• Upper respiratory infections (runny nose, sore throat, hoarse voice or loss of voice)

• Headache

• Stomach pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Back pain

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body 

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Other rare but serious side effects:

• Signs of infection (fever, chills, very bad sore throat) as infections may be more likely while taking this medication. This medicine may increase your risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria.
• Signs of lupus (persistent unexplained rash, fever, joint pain or extreme tiredness)
• Signs of liver problems (yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark-coloured urine, light-colored stools)
• Signs of nerve problems (tingling, numbness, change in vision, muscle weakness) 

 If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid raw, undercooked or half-cooked food to reduce risk of getting infections.

Avoid live vaccinations such as yellow fever or BCG (tuberculosis). 

Other biological immunosuppressive medications used to treat conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, such as Anakinra, Abatacept. 

How should I store this medication?

Store in the original container to protect from light. Keep this medication away from children.

Store in the refrigerator between 2-8°C. Do not freeze.

If you have left this medication at room temperature, do not return it to the fridge. Keep it at room temperature (20-25°C) and use it within 14 days.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Discard the pen in a metal tin or hard plastic container to avoid needlestick injury.