{"id":25017,"date":"2021-04-04T13:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-04-04T17:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=25017"},"modified":"2021-03-31T16:19:41","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T20:19:41","slug":"what-is-humira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-humira\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Humira and what is it used for?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Humira?<\/a> | Uses<\/a> | How it works<\/a> | Dosages<\/a> | Safety information<\/a> | Savings<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Most of us can say that our lives are already stressful enough. Between juggling work, family life, and new regulations around a pandemic, we don\u2019t need to worry about having additional uncertainty or interruptions added to our \u201cnew normal.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For many people with autoinflammatory diseases like arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn\u2019s disease, and ulcerative colitis, dealing with a \u201csurprise\u201d flare-up can definitely feel like an unwelcome interruption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira can provide needed comfort and certainty for people with autoinflammatory diseases during these uncertain times. While Humira is not a cure for autoinflammatory diseases, it can be used to safely manage these conditions and decrease the severity of flare-ups when they do occur. Here, we will discuss how Humira works for various autoinflammatory diseases, how to use it safely, and in what dosages. We will also talk about important drug interactions and side effects to be aware of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Humira, and what is it used for?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Humira is the brand name for the drug adalimumab. It\u2019s in a larger class of drugs called disease modifying anti-rheumatic agents (DMARDs) and is in a subclass of DMARDs called \u201cbiologics.\u201d Biologics are drugs that are made from components of living (or biologic) cells. Humira is a prescription drug manufactured by AbbVie. It is not available over the counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira works by specifically blocking TNF-alpha and was approved for use by the <\/span>FDA<\/span><\/a> in 2002. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers are immunosuppressive drugs (also called immunosuppressants). By blocking the activity of TNF\u2014a substance in the body that causes inflammation\u2014Humira can be used to treat inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn\u2019s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Humira, like most DMARDs, usually takes between several weeks to several months to start working. It is not an <\/span>NSAID<\/span><\/a> (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) or corticosteroid (steroid).<\/span><\/p>\n

Since biologics contain complex components, they are not easy to reproduce or make an exact, generic copy of. With no generic options available, the FDA recognizes the need for similar drugs to exist and has encouraged competitors to manufacture alternative options. A drug that is similar to a biologic that is already FDA approved is called a \u201cbiosimilar\u201d drug. There are currently seven Humira biosimilars approved by the FDA: Hulio, Hadlima, Abrilada, Tremfya, Amjevita, Cyltezo, and Hyrimoz. Even though these biosimilars have been approved by the FDA, they will not be available in the United States until 2023, as Humira is patent-protected until then.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira uses<\/span><\/h3>\n

Humira is used for the management of a variety of inflammatory autoimmune diseases. By blocking TNF-alpha activity, Humira reduces inflammation and painful symptoms associated with the following conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira for inflammatory or rheumatoid arthritis:<\/b> An overactive immune system can cause inflammation in the joints, creating symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joint. TNF-alpha is one of the proteins involved in causing uncomfortable joint inflammation. Humira targets and blocks the activity of TNF-alpha in the joints, which reduces the symptoms and slows the progression of joint damage. Another drug commonly used to treat inflammatory arthritis is <\/span>methotrexate<\/span><\/a>. In clinical studies, people taking Humira plus methotrexate have shown a significant improvement in symptoms of active rheumatoid arthritis over taking methotrexate alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Arthritis treatments and medications<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Humira for plaque psoriasis:<\/b> While the exact cause is unknown, having too much TNF-alpha can alter the growth of skin cells, leading to red, flaky patches. By decreasing the amount of TNF-alpha circulating in the body, Humira can decrease and sometimes even eliminate plaque lesions on the skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Everything you need to know about biologics for psoriasis<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Humira for psoriatic arthritis:<\/b> Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects some people who already have psoriasis. An excess of TNF-alpha in some individuals can trigger joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, as well as red, scaly patches on the skin called plaques. Humira can help control these flare-ups by blocking the activity of excess TNF-alpha.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira for ankylosing spondylitis:<\/b> Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis of the spine. Excess TNF-alpha induced inflammation contributes to back pain and stiffness in people with ankylosing spondylitis. Humira can reduce the symptoms for adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira for Crohn\u2019s disease:<\/b> Crohn\u2019s disease<\/span><\/a> symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping can appear without warning. When your body produces too much TNF-alpha, it can cause excess inflammation that will trigger these and other Crohn\u2019s disease symptoms. Humira can help by eliminating the excess inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira for ulcerative colitis:<\/b> Ulcerative colitis (UC)<\/span><\/a> is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is chronic and long-lasting, causing inflammation in the large intestine (colon), and rectum. The exact cause of the inflammation is unknown. However, help is available. Humira has been shown to reduce or eliminate symptoms of ulcerative colitis such as frequent and urgent diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, and tiredness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira for hidradenitis suppurativa:<\/b> Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition where painful lumps occur under the skin. These painful lumps occur under gland-bearing skin in the armpits, groin, buttocks, or breasts. Having too much TNF-alpha is believed to contribute to the severity of HS. Humira can help by blocking the TNF-alpha protein, which can reduce the inflammation and pain under the skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira for uveitis:<\/b> Uveitis is inflammation of the delicate tissue in the eye called the uvea. Infectious uveitis caused by an infection from a virus or bacteria. Non-infectious uveitis is a chronic inflammation of the uvea not caused by a virus or bacteria. Too much TNF-alpha along with other proteins contribute to the inflammation, pain, and sensitivity to light seen in non-infectious uveitis. Humira can decrease the inflammation in the eye, reducing the uncomfortable symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira for juvenile idiopathic arthritis:<\/b> Children under the age of 16 with symptoms of persistent pain, swelling, or stiffness in the joints, may have <\/span>juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)<\/span><\/a>. When this happens in more than one joint, it is called polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. TNF-alpha is one of the contributors to the joint inflammation which causes the persistent pain, swelling, and stiffness. Humira blocks the activity of TNF-alpha. Another drug commonly used to treat JIA is <\/span>methotrexate<\/span><\/a>. In clinical studies, children treated with Humira and methotrexate have been shown to have significant improvement of symptoms over methotrexate alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Humira work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Humira is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha is a small type of protein called a cytokine. Cytokines are used by the immune system to cause inflammation. Normally, release of cytokines like TNF-alpha is how the immune system cells communicate with each other. When the immune system cells detect an infection, they release TNF-alpha to alert other cells in the body that an infection is present. This communication pathway causes the inflammation that is necessary for the body to kill the infection. In certain autoinflammatory diseases, TNF-alpha is released without an infection being present, causing inflammation in a variety of tissues in the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Drugs like Humira that specifically bind to TNF-alpha are called TNF-blocking agents. By binding to TNF-alpha, clinical studies have shown that Humira neutralizes\u2014or blocks\u2014the inflammatory activity of TNF-alpha. The drug also causes cells in the body that express too much TNF-alpha to die.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

TNF-blocking agents are immunosuppressants. By blocking TNF in the body, Humira is suppressing\u2014or decreasing the activity of\u2014overactive or unwanted inflammatory activity in the immune system. Since Humira can decrease inflammation in the immune system, Humira can be used to treat inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn\u2019s disease, and ulcerative colitis. This also means Humira can suppress the immune system in general, making some people more vulnerable to infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to take Humira\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Humira is given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. Injection drugs like Humira must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Humira dosing is based upon which condition it is being used to treat. It is important that the correct dosing schedule is followed for the condition Humira is being used to treat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How quickly Humira starts working depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of the medical condition being treated and which condition Humira is being used to treat. Some people start to feel symptomatic relief with Humira after two weeks, but for others, it can take up to three months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira is considered a maintenance (long-term) medication. It continues to provide symptom relief for as long as you are taking it. There is no set end-time for when you stop taking it. You will not experience \u201cwithdrawal\u201d if you stop taking Humira, but your symptoms may reappear. Your healthcare provider will assess you at regular intervals to check on your inflammatory response as well as your response to Humira. You and your healthcare provider can decide when, or if, discontinuing Humira is appropriate. You should not stop taking Humira on your own without seeking medical advice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humira is dosed in two ways. When starting Humira, a starting dose is given. The starting dose should be injected by or under the supervision of a healthcare provider. It is important that proper injection technique is used. Proper injection technique can be demonstrated for you by your healthcare provider. \u201cGood places to inject are going to be the abdomen (stay about an inch away from the belly button) and the sides of the thighs,\u201d says <\/span>Victoria Ruffing<\/span><\/a>, RN, a nurse manager at Johns Hopkins.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the starting dose, a series of maintenance doses are given. It is important to remember that the starting dose of Humira and the maintenance doses are not always the same. The maintenance doses can be self-injected in the comfort of your home. Your healthcare provider can demonstrate how to do the injections at home. There are also instructional materials your healthcare provider can give you for you to refer to when at home. Humira should not be injected on days that are not specified by the starting or maintenance doses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Humira adult dosing<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Indication<\/b><\/td>\nStarting dose<\/b><\/td>\nMaintenance dose<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg on Day 1<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg every other week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n80 mg on Day 1<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg on Day 8, and 40 mg every other week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psoriatic arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg every other week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ankylosing spondylitis<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg on Day 1<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg every other week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crohn\u2019s disease<\/span><\/td>\n160 mg on Day 1 (given in one day or split between two consecutive days)<\/span><\/td>\n80 mg on Day 15, and 40 mg every other week starting on Day 29<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ulcerative colitis<\/span><\/td>\n160 mg on Day 1 (given in one day or split between two consecutive days)<\/span><\/td>\n80 mg on Day 15, and 40 mg every other week starting on Day 29<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hidradenitis suppurativa<\/span><\/td>\n160 mg on Day 1 (given in one day or split between two consecutive days)<\/span><\/td>\n80 mg on Day 15, and EITHER 40 mg every week starting on Day 29 OR 80 mg every other week starting on Day 29<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uveitis<\/span><\/td>\n80 mg on Day 1<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg on Day 8, and 40 mg every other week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Humira pediatric dosing<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Indication<\/b><\/td>\nStarting dose<\/b><\/td>\nMaintenance dose<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: children 2 years or older<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 22-33 lbs: 10 mg<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 33-66 lbs: 20mg<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 66+ lbs: 40mg<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 22 lbs to less than 33 lbs: 10 mg every other week<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 33 lbs to less than 66 lbs: 20mg every other week<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 66 lbs or more: 40mg every other week<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crohn\u2019s disease: children 6 years or older<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 37-87 lbs: 80 mg on Day 1<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 88+ lbs: 160 mg on Day 1 (given in one day or split between two consecutive days)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 37 lbs to 87 lbs: 40 mg on Day 15, and 20 mg every other week starting on Day 29<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 88 lbs or more: 80 mg on Day 15, and 40 mg every other week starting on Day 29<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ulcerative colitis: children 5 years or older<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 44-87 lbs: 80 mg on Day 1<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 88+ lbs: 160 mg on Day 1 (given in one day or split between two consecutive days)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 44 lbs to 87 lbs: 40 mg on Day 8 and Day 15, and EITHER 40 mg every other week starting on Day 29 OR 20mg every week starting on Day 29<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 88 lbs or more: 80 mg on Day 8 and Day 15, and EITHER 80 mg every other week starting on Day 29 OR 40mg every week starting on Day 29<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hidradenitis suppurativa: children 12 years or older<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 66-132 lbs: 80mg on Day 1<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 132+ lbs: 160 mg on Day 1 (given in one day or split between two consecutive days)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 40 mg on Day 8, and 40 mg every other week<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 80 mg on Day 15, and EITHER 40 mg every week starting on Day 29; OR 80 mg every other week starting on Day 29<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uveitis: children 2 years or older<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 22-33 lbs: 10 mg<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 33-66 lbs: 20mg<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 66+ lbs: 40mg<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n