a-da-LIM-ue-mab
Patients treated with adalimumab are at increased risk for infections, some progressing to serious infections leading to hospitalization or death. These infections have included bacterial sepsis, tuberculosis, invasive fungal and other opportunistic infections. Evaluate for latent tuberculosis and treat if necessary prior to initiation of therapy .
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
Available Dosage Forms:
Therapeutic Class: Antirheumatic
Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody
Adalimumab is used to decrease signs, symptoms, and progression of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis which is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling of the joints and patches of scaly skin on some areas of the body. Psoriatic arthritis is related to the skin condition, psoriasis. Adalimumab can be used in combination with methotrexate or other Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs).
Adalimumab is also used to decrease signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease in patients who have not been helped by other medicines, such as infliximab.
adalimumab may also be used to treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
adalimumab is available only with your doctor's prescription.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For adalimumab, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to adalimumab or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of adalimumab in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of adalimumab in the elderly. However, adalimumab causes more serious infections and malignancies in the elderly, which may require caution in patients receiving adalimumab.
Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
---|---|---|
All Trimesters | B | Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus. |
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Using adalimumab with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of adalimumab. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
adalimumab comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
The dose of adalimumab will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of adalimumab. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of adalimumab, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
If you will be taking adalimumab for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits to make sure that adalimumab is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before you start using adalimumab. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis test.
Adalimumab can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. Your doctor will discuss with you any changes in your medicine. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Make sure you know how you react to adalimumab before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
adalimumab may cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after adalimumab is used. A small number of people (including children and teenagers) who have used adalimumab have developed certain types of cancer. Some patients developed a rare type of cancer called lymphoma. Talk with your doctor if you have unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness; swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, or groin; or unexplained weight loss. Also, check with your doctor right away if your skin has red, scaly patches, or raised bumps that are filled with pus.
Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with adalimumab. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using adalimumab: blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; chills; cough; diarrhea; fever; itching; joint or muscle pain; red skin lesions; sore throat; sores, ulcers, or white spots in your mouth or lips; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Do not change or stop using adalimumab without checking with your doctor first. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More commonSome side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More commonOther side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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