Adalimumab Injection

Humira® Logo

Brand name(s): Humira®

How should this medicine be used?

Adalimumab comes as a solution to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected once every other week, or in some cases, once a week. To help you remember to take adalimumab, mark the days you are scheduled to take it on your calendar. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use adalimumab exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

You will receive your first dose of adalimumab in your doctor's office. After that, you can inject adalimumab yourself or have a friend or relative perform the injections. Before you use adalimumab yourself the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it.

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

You can inject adalimumab anywhere on the front of your thighs or stomach except your navel and the area two inches around it. To reduce the chances of soreness or redness, use a different site for each injection.The new injection should be given at least 1 inch away from the previous injection. Keep a list of the places where you have given injections so that you will not inject in these places again. Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard or where you have scars or stretch marks.

To inject adalimumab, follow these steps:

• Check your pre-filled syringe to be sure it is safe to use. It should be labeled with the correct name of the medication and an expiration date that has not passed and should contain a clear colorless solution. Do not use the syringe if it is expired or if the solution is cloudy or contains flakes.
• Wash your hands with soap and water and wipe the place on your skin where you will inject adalimumab with an alcohol pad. Move the alcohol pad over the area with a circular motion and do not touch the area again until you give the injection.
• Hold the syringe with the needle pointing down. Line up the syringe with the drawing of a syringe included with the medication and be sure that the syringe contains 0.8 mL of medication as shown in the drawing. Do not use the syringe if it contains a different amount of medication.
• Remove the needle cover, but do not touch the needle to your fingers or any surface.
• Turn the syringe so the needle is pointing up. Slowly push the plunger in to push the air out of the syringe. A small drop of liquid may come out of the syringe, but this will not affect your dose.
• Gently pinch the cleaned area of skin with one hand and hold it firmly. With the other hand, hold the syringe like a pencil at a 45 degree angle to the skin.
• Quickly push the needle into the skin, and let go of the skin with the other hand.
• Pull back on the plunger and check if blood appears in the syringe. If blood appears, pull the syringe out of your skin, discard it properly, and begin the process again with a fresh syringe and a new injection site. If no blood appears in the syringe, proceed with step 9.
• Slowly push the plunger in until the syringe is empty.
• Pull the needle out of the skin at the same angle you inserted it.
• Press a cotton ball over the area for 10 seconds, but do not rub it. It is normal to bleed a little bit at this point. If the area is painful or swollen, cover it with a cold, wet towel.

Adalimumab controls rheumatoid arthritis but does not cure it. Continue to use adalimumab even if you feel well. Do not stop using adalimumab without talking to your doctor.

Last Revised: 01/01/2005

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