Pronunciation: a dal aye' mu mab
Brand names: Humira, Amjevita, Yusimry, Cyltezo, Yuflyma, ... show all 11 brands Hadlima, Hulio, Hyrimoz, Idacio, Abrilada, Simlandi
Dosage form: Subcutaneous injection by Autoinjector, Pre-Filled Syringe, Single-Dose Vial
Drug classes: Antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jun 11, 2024.

What is adalimumab?

Adalimumab (Humira and others) is used to treat plaque psoriasis (Ps), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and uveitis. Adalimumab works to reduce pain, inflammation, and skin symptoms in chronic autoimmune conditions. Adalimumab works by blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that can cause inflammation, pain, or other autoimmune symptoms. Adalimumab is from a class of medicine called TNF alfa inhibitor. 

There are 10 biosimilars of Humira, the brand names are Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, Idacio, Yuflyma, and Yusimry.  The interchangeable biosimilars of Humira are Cyltezo (Boehringer Ingelheim), Abrilada (Pfizer), Hyrimoz (Sandoz) and Simlandi (Alvotech)

Humira was approved by the FDA on December 31, 2002. Humira was the first brand of adalimumab, so it is called the reference product. Biosimilars of Humira are now also available, see below for a full list of adalimumab biosimilars, indications, and companies.

A biosimilar is a biologic medicine that is a very close copy of the original product made by another company.  An interchangeable biosimilar has undergone an additional Interchangeability Study, meaning that patients can be confident in the safety and effectiveness of the interchangeable biosimilar product, just as they would be for the FDA-approved original product, in this case, Humira.

How does adalimumab work?

Normally, your immune system defends your body against diseases by fighting harmful bacteria or viruses. However, in autoimmune disorders, the immune system becomes hyperactive and mistakenly attacks its own tissues, leading to symptoms of the autoimmune condition. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a protein that is involved in causing inflammation. Adalimumab is a TNF blocker that inhibits TNF, helping to reduce pain, inflammation, and skin symptoms. Adalimumab is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody.

Brand names of Humira biosimilars

Humira is the original brand of adalimumab, other brands of adalimumab are biosimilars.

What is adalimumab used for?

Adalimumab is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and skin symptoms in many chronic conditions.  Each brand of adalimumab may be FDA-approved to treat different conditions and different patient groups.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active RA. 

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular JIA in patients 2 years of age and older.

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active PsA.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active AS.

Crohn’s Disease (CD): treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in patients 6 years of age and older.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC): treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults for all brands except  Humira brand, which is patients 5 years of age and older. Limitations of Use: Effectiveness has not been established in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to TNF blockers. 

Plaque Psoriasis (Ps): treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in patients 12 years of age and older for Humira. Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, Hyrimoz, Yusimry, and Yuflyma can be used for adults with HS.

Uveitis (UV): treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis patients 2 years of age and older, for Humira brand only. Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, Hyrimoz, Yusimry, Idacio Simlandi, and Yuflyma can be used in adults with uvelitis.

Adalimumab Biosimilar Brands and Indications

Adalimumab side effects

Common adalimumab side effects of may include:

• headache;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat;
• rash; or
• redness, bruising, itching, or swelling where the injection was given.

Serious adalimumab side effects of may include:

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.

Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of lymphoma:

• fever, swollen glands, night sweats, general feeling of illness;
• joint and muscle pain, skin rash, easy bruising or bleeding;
• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet;
• pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder; or
• loss of appetite, feeling full after eating only a small amount, weight loss.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• new or worsening psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin);
• a sore or bump on your skin that does not heal;
• symptoms of sepsis - confusion, chills, severe drowsiness, fast heartbeats, rapid breathing, feeling very ill;
• liver problems - body aches, tiredness, stomach pain, right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• lupus-like syndrome - joint pain or swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, patchy skin color that worsens in sunlight;
• nerve problems - numbness, tingling, dizziness, vision problems, weakness in your arms or legs; or
• signs of tuberculosis - ever with ongoing cough, weight loss (fat or muscle).

Older adults may be more likely to develop infections or cancer while using adalimumab.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Adalimumab affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections.

Before or during treatment with adalimumab, tell your doctor if you have signs of infection such as fever, chills, aches, tiredness, cough, skin sores, diarrhea, or burning when you urinate.

Your doctor should test you for tuberculosis (TB) before you start taking adalimumab and also monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment.

The chances of getting cancer may be increased for children and adults taking TNF-blockers.

Before taking this medicine

Before you start using adalimumab, tell your doctor if you have signs of infection - fever, chills, sweats, muscle aches, tiredness, cough, bloody mucus, skin sores, diarrhea, burning when you urinate, or feeling constantly tired.

Adalimumab should only be given to children if the brand is indicated for their condition and age group. Children using adalimumab should be current on all childhood immunizations before starting treatment.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• tuberculosis (or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis);
• a chronic infection;
• cancer;
• hepatitis B (adalimumab can cause hepatitis B to come back or get worse);
• diabetes;
• heart failure;
• any numbness or tingling, or a nerve-muscle disorder such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome;
• an allergy to latex rubber;
• if you are scheduled to have major surgery; or
• if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccine.

Tell your doctor where you live and if you have recently traveled or plan to travel. You may be exposed to infections that are common to certain areas of the world.

Adalimumab may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers and young men with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. However, anyone with an inflammatory autoimmune disorder may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

Pregnancy

It is not known whether adalimumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Make sure any doctor caring for your newborn baby knows if you used adalimumab while you were pregnant, and especially before your baby receives any vaccines.

Breastfeeding

It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using adalimumab. Ask your doctor about any risks and the best way to feed your baby while on this medicine.

How should I use adalimumab?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Adalimumab is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection) using an autoinjector or a prefilled syringe. A healthcare provider will teach you how to properly use this injection by yourself.

Do not start using adalimumab if you have any signs of an infection. Call your doctor for instructions.

The dose schedule for adalimumab is highly variable and depends on the condition you are treating. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed color, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Leave the adalimumab auto-injector or prefilled syringe at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes to allow it to warm up.  Do not warm the prefilled syringe using heat sources such as hot water or a microwave. Discard any adalimumab that has become frozen

Choose an injection site. You may inject into the front of your thighs, and your abdomen except for the 2 in (5 cm) around the belly button (navel). Rotate the injection site each time you give an injection. Each new injection site should be at least 1.2 in (3 cm) away from the injection site you used before.

Do not inject into skin that is red, hard, tender, damaged, bruised, or scarred, and do NOT inject through your clothes.

Adalimumab affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to examine you on a regular basis.

Store this medicine in its original carton in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. If you are traveling, carefully follow all patient instructions for storing your medicine during travel. Avoid extreme heat or cold.

Dosing information

Different brands of adalimumab are available in different dosage forms and strengths, these are the approved forms and strengths for each brand.

Humira is available as:

• Humira Pen 80mg/0.8 mL, 40mg/0.8 mL, 40mg/0.4 mL

• Humira Prefilled Syringe 80mg/0.8 mL, 40mg/0.8 mL, 40mg/0.4 mL, 20mg/0.4 mL, 20mg/0.2 mL, 10mg/0.2 mL, 10mg/0.1 mL
• Humira Single-Dose Institutional Use Vial  40mg/0.8 mL

Abrilada is available as: 

• Abrilada Pen 40 mg/0.8 mL 
• Abrilada Prefilled Syringe Injection: 40 mg/0.8 mL, 20 mg/0.4 mL, 10 mg/0.2 mL 
• Abrilada Single-Dose Institutional Use Vial Injection 40 mg/0.8 mL

Amjevita is available as:

• Amjevita SureClick Autoinjector 80 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.4 mL 
• Amjevita Prefilled Syringe 80 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.4 mL, 20 mg/0.4 mL, 20 mg/0.2 mL, 10 mg/0.2 mL 

Cyltezo  is available as:

• Cyltezo Pen 40 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.4 mL 
• Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe 40 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.4 mL, 20 mg/0.4 mL, 10 mg/0.2 mL 

Hadlima is available as:

• Hadlima PushTouch autoinjector  40 mg/ 0.8 mL,  40 mg/ 0.4 mL
• Hadlima Prefilled Syringe 40 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.4 mL
• Hadlima Single-Dose Institutional Use Vial Injection 40 mg/0.8 mL

Hulio is available as: 

• Hulio Pen 40 mg/0.8 mL
• Hulio prefilled plastic syringe 40 mg/0.8 mL, 20 mg/0.4 mL

Hyrimoz  is available as: 

• Hyrimoz Sensoready Pen 40 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.4 mL, 80 mg/0.8 mL
• Hyrimoz Single-dose prefilled glass syringe with BD UltraSafe Passiv Needle 20 mg/0.4 mL, 40 mg/0.8 mL, 40 mg/0.4 mL, 80 mg/0.8 mL
• Hyrimoz glass syringe 10 mg/0.2 mL, 10 mg/0.1 mL, 20 mg/0.2 mL

Idacio is available as: 

• Idacio 40 mg/0.8 mL
• Idacio Prefilled Syringe 40 mg/0.8 mL

Simlandi is available as:

•  Simlandi single-dose autoinjector 40 mg/0.4 mL

Yuflyma is available as:

• Yuflyma Prefilled Auto-injector (Yuflyma AI) 40 mg/0.4 mL
• Yuflyma Prefilled syringe with safety guard 40 mg/0.4 mL 
• Yuflyma Prefilled Syringe 40 mg/0.8 mL

Yusimry is available as: 

• Yusimry Pen Injection 40 mg/0.8 mL 
• Yusimry Prefilled Glass Syringe 40 mg/0.8 mL.

The dose and frequency of adalimumab given is dependent on age, severity, and condition treated. For more information on specific dosing schedules click the link below.

Related/similar drugs

Entyvio, Otezla, Skyrizi, Sotyktu, Cimzia, prednisone, naproxen, methotrexate, triamcinolone ophthalmic, dexamethasone

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular injection schedule. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using adalimumab?

Do not inject adalimumab into skin that is bruised, red, tender, or hard.

While using this medicine avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using adalimumab. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), or zoster (shingles).

What other drugs will affect adalimumab?

Some drugs should not be used together with adalimumab. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with adalimumab, especially:

• abatacept, etanercept;
• anakinra;
• azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine; or
• certolizumab, golimumab, infliximab, rituximab.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with adalimumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

adalimumab Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for adalimumab.

Humira interchangeable products

Interchangeable biosimilar products can be dispensed by a pharmacist without the intervention of the prescriber of the reference product.

Pharmacy laws for biosimilar prescribing may vary by state.

Humira biosimilar products

Biosimilar products can only be dispensed in place of the reference product if the healthcare provider specifically prescribes the biosimilar product by name.

Pharmacy laws for biosimilar prescribing may vary by state

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