What it is used for
- Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and arthritis in children
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Moderate to severe psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa
- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Non-infectious uveitis (eye inflammation)
How it is used
- It is injected under the skin only as your specialist prescribed; they decide the dose and schedule
- After training, you or a family member can inject into the tummy or thigh, using a different place each time
- Take the pen out of the fridge for the time stated in the leaflet before injecting so it reaches room temperature; do not shake it
- Always carry your patient alert card
Possible side effects
- Redness, pain or swelling where you inject
- Infections such as colds, sinus, chest or urine infections
- Headache, rash or nausea
- Rare but serious: severe infections, tuberculosis, or cancers such as lymphoma
Who should not use it
- Active tuberculosis or another severe infection
- Moderate to severe heart failure
- Allergy to adalimumab
Before and while using it
- Your doctor will test for tuberculosis and hepatitis B before you start
- Tell your doctor straight away about fever, a lasting cough, weight loss or any sign of infection
- Do not have live vaccines during treatment; ask your doctor which vaccines you should have
- Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, a nerve disease such as multiple sclerosis, or have had cancer
- Check your skin regularly and tell your doctor about any changes
Medicine interactions
- Live vaccines
- It is not combined with other biological medicines such as anakinra or abatacept
- It is often used with methotrexate if the doctor decides
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy; treatment may continue if the doctor decides, and your baby's live vaccines may need to be delayed if exposed in the womb
- Only very small amounts pass into breast milk; ask your doctor
How to store it
- Keep it in the fridge, do not freeze it, and keep it in the outer carton to protect it from light
- It can be kept out of the fridge for a limited time as the leaflet says, out of the sight and reach of children
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.