Adalimumab is a medication to relieve symptoms from arthritis, colitis, or dermatitis. This drug is only available in the form of injection and can only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.
Adalimumab works by blocking the action of substances that cause inflammation in the body. This will reduce signs of inflammation, such as pain, fever, and swelling.
Adalimumab can be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat inflammation in the following autoimmune diseases:
- Rheumatoid arthritis, namely arthritis in adults that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, namely arthritis in children.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, namely chronic inflammation of the spine.
- Psoriatic arthritis, namely arthritis that attacks people with psoriasis.
- Plaque psoriasis, which is inflammation of the skin due to psoriasis.
- Ulcerative colitis, which is inflammation of the large intestine and rectum.
- Crohn's disease, which is inflammation of the walls of the digestive system, especially the small intestine and large intestine.
Adalimumab is sometimes used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa and uveitis in children.
In addition to relieving symptoms, the use of injectable adalimumab is also useful for slowing the development of symptoms and reducing the risk of complications from these diseases.
Adalimumab trademark: Humira
What is Adalimumab
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) / Immunosuppressants |
| Benefit | Relieves symptoms of inflammation in disease rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis. |
| Used by | Adults and children 4 years old |
| Adalimumab for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Adalimumab can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Injectable liquid |
Precautions Before Using Adalimumab
Adalimumab should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. There are several things that must be considered before using this drug, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Adalimumab should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hepatitis B, optic neuritis, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, cancer, heart failure, diabetes, aplastic anemia, neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have recently had phototherapy before.
- Adalimumab should not be given to children under 2 years of age, and children 6 years of age to treat Crohn's disease. Children should receive all vaccines from the childhood immunization program, before starting treatment with adalimumab.
- If you are planning to get vaccinated or have recently been vaccinated, tell your doctor that you are taking adalimumab.
- Avoid being in close contact with people with infectious diseases that are easily contagious, such as the flu or measles, while taking adalimumab, because this drug can make it easier for you to catch infectious diseases.
- Consult your doctor if you plan to vaccinate while using adalimumab.
- If you are planning on having dental work or surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking adalimumab.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after using adalimumab.
Adalimumab Dosage and Directions for Use
The drug adalimumab will be given by injection under the skin (subcutaneously / SC). Your doctor will determine the dose of adalimumab based on the condition you want to treat. Here is the explanation:
Condition: Rheumatoid arthritis
- Mature: The dose is 40 mg, once a week.
Condition: Ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
- Mature: The dose is 40 mg, once a week.
Condition: Plaque psoriasis
- Mature: Initial dose 80 mg. The maintenance dose is 40 mg, once a week, treatment is started 1 week after the first dose is given.
Condition:Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Children aged 4–15 years weighing <30 kg: The dose is 20 mg per week.
- Children aged 4–15 years weighing >30 kg: The dose is 40 mg per week.
Condition: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in adults
- Initial dose of 160 mg, can be given 4x40 mg in 1 day or 2x40 mg for 2 consecutive days, then followed by 80 mg, 15 days after the first dose.
- Maintenance dose 40 mg every 2 weeks (administered 29 days after the first dose). Dosage should be reviewed if the patient does not improve after 8 or 12 weeks of treatment.
How to Use Adalimumab Correctly
The drug adalimumab will be given in the hospital. This medicine will be injected directly by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The doctor will inject the drug adalimumab under the patient's skin.
Adalimumab injection can not cure the patient's disease, but only control the symptoms. Continue to take medication as recommended by your doctor even if your condition improves.
The use of injectable adalimumab can weaken the immune system and make the patient more susceptible to infectious diseases. You need to have regular check-ups with your doctor so that the condition can be monitored.
Adalimumab Interactions with Other Drugs
The use of adalimumab with other drugs can cause drug interactions, namely:
- Increased risk of serious side effects when used with rituximab or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs biologic DMARDs, such as abatacept and anakinra
- Enhanced immunosuppressive effect when used with tocilizumab
- Decreased effectiveness of live vaccines, such as the BCG vaccine
Adalimumab Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the possible side effects after using adalimumab are irritation and pain and swelling at the injection site, nausea, headache, and back pain.
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if there is an allergic reaction to the drug or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision, fainting
- Numbness or tingling
- Easy bruising or bloody stools
- A red rash on the skin that is scaly or a lump filled with pus appears
- Symptoms of infection, such as fever, chills, frequent night sweats, sore throat and cough that doesn't go away, pain when urinating, abnormal vaginal discharge
- Liver damage that can be characterized by symptoms, such as abdominal pain, severe nausea and vomiting, or jaundice
- Symptoms of heart problems or heart failure, such as unexplained weight gain, shortness of breath, or swelling in the hands or feet
- Chest pain, fast, slow, or irregular heart rate
