Adalimumab Injection for autoimmune disorders

Adalimumab injection is used alone or with other medications to relieve the symptoms of certain autoimmune disorders (conditions in which the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body and causes pain, swelling, and damage). Adalimumab injection comes as a solution (liquid) to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected once every other week. If you are using adalimumab injection to treat Crohn’s disease (a condition in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract, causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever) and  ulcerative colitis (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum) , your doctor may tell you to inject the medication more often at the beginning of your treatment. If you are using adalimumab injection to treat rheumatoid arthritis(a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function), your doctor may tell you to inject the medication once a week.

Adalimumab injection comes in prefilled syringes and dosing pens. Use each syringe or pen only once and inject all the solution in the syringe or pen. Even if there is still some solution left in the syringe or pen after you inject, do not inject again. Dispose of used syringes and pens in a puncture-resistant container. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.

Adalimumab injection may help control your condition but will not cure it. Continue to use adalimumab injection even if you feel well. Do not stop using adalimumab injection without talking to your doctor.

Adalimumab injection may cause side effects.

• redness, itching, bruising, pain, or swelling in the place you injected adalimumab injection
• nausea
• headache
• back pain

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency care:

• numbness or tingling
• problems with vision
• weakness in legs
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• rash, especially a rash on the cheeks or arms that is sensitive to sunlight
• new joint pain
• hives
• itching
• swelling of the face, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• pale skin
• dizziness
• red, scaly patches or pus-filled bumps on the skin

Adults who receive adalimumab injection may be more likely to develop skin cancer, lymphoma, and other types of cancer than people who do not receive adalimumab injection.