How and when to take adalimumab

Adalimumab comes as a pre-filled syringe or injection pen.

Dosage

Adalimumab is a prescription medicine. It's important to take it as advised by your specialist.

For adults, dosages and how often you take it depends on your condition:

• plaque psoriasis – the usual starting dose is 80mg, then 40mg after a week and then 40mg, taken every 2 weeks
• rheumatoid arthritis – the usual dose is 40mg, taken every 2 weeks. You can take it weekly, or 80mg every 2 weeks, if you're not taking any other medicine for rheumatoid arthritis
• psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis or ankylosing spondylitis – the usual dose is 40mg, taken every 2 weeks
• Crohn's disease – the usual starting dose is 80mg and then 40mg, taken every 2 weeks. It can be taken weekly if needed or 80mg every 2 weeks. If you need a higher dose, you can start with 160mg, then 80mg after 2 weeks and then 40mg every 2 weeks
• ulcerative colitis – the usual starting dose is 160mg, then 80mg after 2 weeks and then 40mg, taken every 2 weeks. It can be taken weekly if needed or 80mg every 2 weeks
• hidradenitis suppurativa – the usual starting dose is 160mg, then 80mg after 2 weeks and then after another 2 weeks you can take 40mg every week or 80mg every 2 weeks
• non-infectious uveitis – the usual starting dose is 80mg, then 40mg after a week and then 40mg, taken every 2 weeks

For children, dosages are usually based on their weight. How often they take it depends on their condition:

• plaque psoriasis – after the first dose, doses are given after 1 week, and then every 2 weeks
• juvenile idiopathic arthritis – after the first dose, doses are usually given every 2 weeks
• enthesitis-related arthritis – doses are given every 2 weeks
• Crohn's disease – after the first dose, doses are given every 2 weeks. It can be given weekly if needed
• non-infectious uveitis – after the first dose, doses are given after 1 week, and then every 2 weeks. It can be given every 2 weeks from the first dose
• adolescent hidradenitis suppurativa (from 12 years) – the usual starting dose is 80mg, then 40mg after one week and then 40mg every 2 weeks. It can be given weekly if needed or 80mg every 2 weeks
• ulcerative colitis – after the first dose, doses are given every 2 weeks

How you will receive adalimumab

Your adalimumab medicine will be delivered to your home by a homecare provider.

A homecare support nurse will show you how to use the injection so you can give yourself or your child the injection at home.

You'll need to store the injections in your fridge.

Biosimilar injections

If you're switching from Humira to an adalimumab biosimilar, the way the injection works might be different.

You can ask your specialist, homecare support nurse or pharmacist for training on the new injection if you need it.

Biosimilar syringes

There's not much difference between the Humira syringe and other biosimilar syringes.

The Humira, Amgevita and Yuflyma syringes come with a needle shield.

The Hyrimoz, Idacio and Imraldi syringes have a retracting needle, where the needle goes back into the main part of the syringe once the injection has finished.

A needle shield or retractable needle helps reduce the risk of accidental needle injuries.

Biosimilar injection pens

There's not much difference between the Humira injection pen and other biosimilar pens.

All the injection pens start with a loud click and have a small window on the injection, which changes colour when the injection has finished.

You may hear a second click with the Amgevita, Hyrimoz, Imraldi and Yuflyma pens. This means your injection is almost done.

If you forget your dose

If you forget to give yourself an injection, inject the dose as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose on the original scheduled day.

If you do not remember until close to the day of your next dose, speak to your specialist. They'll let you know whether to skip the missed dose.

If you take too much

Have the medicine packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.