Humira (Adalimumab)

Adalimumab (Humira®) is a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody specific for human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a). Adalimumab (Humira®) was created using phage display technology resulting in an antibody with human derived heavy and light chain variable regions and human IgG1:k constant regions. Adalimumab (Humira®) is produced by recombinant DNA technology in a mammalian cell expression system and is purified by a process that includes specific viral inactivation and removal steps.

Adalimumab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation.                                     Adalimumab is used to treat many inflammatory conditions in adults, such as ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, and a skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa. Adalimumab is also used in adults and children to treat Crohn’s disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or uveitis.

Adalimumab (Humira®) binds specifically to (TNF-a) and blocks its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors. Adalimumab (Humira®) also lyses surface TNF expressing cells in vitro in the presence of complement. Adalimumab (Humira®) does not bind or inactivate lymphotoxin (TNF-beta). TNF is a naturally occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses. Elevated levels of TNF are found in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis patients and play an important role in both the pathologic inflammation and the joint destruction that are hallmarks of these diseases. Increased levels of TNF are also found in psoriasis (Ps) plaques.

Adalimumab is to treat various autoimmune diseases and works to treat inflammation. Adalimumab is administered to minimize pain and swelling due to various types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Adalimumab also treats various skin conditions including plaque psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Adalimumab injection is used to treat the symptoms and prevent the progression of active rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is used in children 2 years of age and older for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This medicine is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis, which is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints along with patches of scaly skin on some areas of the body. Psoriatic arthritis usually occurs with a skin condition called psoriasis. Adalimumab may be used alone or in combination with medicines (eg, methotrexate or DMARDs).

Adalimumab injection is also used to treat the symptoms of active Crohn’s disease in adults and children 6 years of age and older who have not been helped by other medicines, including infliximab. It is also used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in adults and children 5 years of age and older who have been treated with other medicines (eg, azathioprine, corticosteroids, or 6-mercaptopurine) that did not work well.

Adalimumab side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.