How to say adalimumab: AH-dah-lee-mu-mab.
Adalimumab is a biological medicine. This means it's made from proteins or other substances produced by the body. It's used to reduce swelling (inflammation) by acting on your immune system.
Adalimumab is used to treat inflammation of the:
- joints (rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and active enthesitis-related arthritis)
- skin (plaque psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa)
- joints and skin (psoriatic arthritis)
- spine, causing back pain (axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis)
- gut and ulcers in the lining of the gut (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
- layer beneath the white of the eyeball (non-infectious uveitis)
Humira is the brand name of the original adalimumab medicine. There are now 5 newer versions of adalimumab, known by the brand names Amgevita, Hyrimoz, Idacio, Imraldi and Yuflyma.
These newer medicines are biosimilars. A biosimilar is a similar version of the original biological medicine. It works in the same way, by blocking part of your immune system to reduce inflammation.
If you switch, your body should respond the same way as if you'd stayed on Humira. You should not notice any difference.
Adalimumab is available on prescription. It comes as a pre-filled syringe or an injection pen that you inject under the skin. If you're switching from Humira to a different brand of adalimumab, the way the injection pen or syringe works might be different.
Key facts
- Adalimumab is given by an injection under your skin. It works by blocking part of your immune system to reduce inflammation.
- It takes a few weeks for adalimumab to work. It may take longer depending on your condition.
- Adalimumab can make you more likely to get infections. Tell your doctor if you get an infection, such as coronavirus (COVID-19), or if you come into contact with anyone who has shingles, chickenpox or measles. These infections can make you very ill.
- If you need to have a vaccine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it's a live vaccine and if there's an alternative inactivated vaccine available. Adalimumab may increase the risk of getting an infection caused by a live vaccine.
- You might feel dizzy or have blurred vision after taking adalimumab. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, cycle or use machinery or tools.
- When you start taking adalimumab you'll be given a patient alert card. Carry this with you all the time. It tells healthcare professionals that you're taking adalimumab. If you do not have a patient alert card, you can ask your specialist for one.