Dosing by Indication
View concise dosing instructions
for all HUMIRA® (adalimumab)
indications below
HUMIRA Citrate-free
HUMIRA Citrate‑free
The same HUMIRA efficacy and safety profile
you’ve come to count on
All presentations of HUMIRA originate from the same master cell line1,2
The same active ingredient patients and HCPs like you have counted on for over 15 years1‑3
Redesigned with your patients in mind
Changes they can see*
Thinner needle (29 gauge vs 27 gauge)4
50% less volume1
The same therapeutic amount of HUMIRA is now injected in half the volume (for the HUMIRA 40‑mg dosage form, the volume is 0.4 mL instead of 0.8 mL)
Modifications to the Pen1
The HUMIRA Citrate‑free Pen now has a larger viewing window and white numbers on the Pen caps
Revised packaging
HUMIRA Citrate‑free comes in a blue box
Changes they can't see*
Less pain immediately following injection4,†
No citrate buffers1,4
Sodium citrate, known to cause pain,5‑8 and other inactive ingredients have been removed
Needle cover not made with natural rubber latex1
For both the HUMIRA Pen and prefilled* syringe
*The instructions for storing HUMIRA Citrate-free are not affected by the removal of inactive ingredients, change in volume, or modifications to the Pen. Although the injection may feel different, patients should continue to follow proper injection technique.
†Injection site pain immediately following injection as measured using a 0‑10 cm Visual Analog Scale: HUMIRA 40 mg/0.4 mL vs HUMIRA 40 mg/0.8 mL.
Self‑Administration Considerations
Before HUMIRA is self-injected, instruct the patient on proper injection technique and monitor as necessary. Refer the patient to Medication Guide for proper storage.
Hear Adam's Story
Adam was hesitant to ask his doctor about HUMIRA Citrate-free. Now that he’s made the switch, he wishes he’d asked sooner. Hear why.
A new prescription is required for
HUMIRA Citrate-free
Including the correct NDC is the best way to ensure the pharmacy dispenses HUMIRA Citrate-free
The HUMIRA Citrate-free Referral and Prescription Form can be transmitted to the patient’s preferred Specialty Pharmacy, and allows you to select the appropriate dosing and NDC
The HUMIRA Citrate-free Referral and Prescription Form ensures your patient will receive HUMIRA Citrate-free when the form is sent to in-network specialty pharmacies
Prescribe HUMIRA Citrate-free for new and existing HUMIRA patients
Advise your patients that pain immediately following injection may now be reduced4
Inform patients that although the injection may feel different, they should continue to follow proper injection technique
Patients should confirm the injection is complete before removing the Pen or syringe
Instruct your patients to look for the blue box, featuring the 29‑gauge needle
Let patients know that HUMIRA Complete is available to provide one‑to‑one personalized support, education, and resources at no extra cost
Inform patients that HUMIRA Citrate‑free has the same efficacy and safety profile they’ve come to count on with HUMIRA, as it has the same active ingredient1,2
Dosing
Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis1
The recommended HUMIRA Citrate-free dose regimen for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis is shown below:
EOW=every other week; NDC=National Drug Code
Indications1
Rheumatoid Arthritis: HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic DMARDs, for 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 rheumatoid arthritis.
Psoriatic Arthritis: HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with non-biologic DMARDs, for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
Ankylosing Spondylitis: HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERATIONS1
- HUMIRA is administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection
- The first injection should be given under the supervision of a healthcare professional. A patient may self-inject HUMIRA after appropriate training and monitoring by a healthcare professional
- Prior to initiating HUMIRA and periodically during therapy, patients should be evaluated for active tuberculosis and tested for latent infection
- In clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction was injection site reactions. 20% of patients treated with HUMIRA developed injection site reactions (erythema and/or itching, hemorrhage, pain or swelling), compared to 14% of patients receiving placebo. Most were mild and did not necessitate discontinuation
- Anaphylaxis or serious allergic reactions may occur
Adult non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis1
The recommended HUMIRA Citrate‑free dose regimen for adults with non‑infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis is shown below:
*Administered as one 80‑mg injection
EOW=every other week; NDC=National Drug Code
Indication1
Uveitis: HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.
Administration Considerations1
- HUMIRA is administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection
- The first injection should be given under the supervision of a healthcare professional. A patient may self-inject HUMIRA after appropriate training and monitoring by a healthcare professional
- Prior to initiating HUMIRA and periodically during therapy, patients should be evaluated for active tuberculosis and tested for latent infection
- In clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction was injection site reactions. 20% of patients treated with HUMIRA developed injection site reactions (erythema and/or itching, hemorrhage, pain or swelling), compared to 14% of patients receiving placebo. Most were mild and did not necessitate discontinuation
- Anaphylaxis or serious allergic reactions may occur
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis or pediatric non‑infectious (NI) intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis1
The recommended dose of HUMIRA for pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or with NI intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis is based on weight as shown below. MTX, glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, and/or analgesics may be continued during treatment with HUMIRA.
HUMIRA has not been studied in patients with JIA less than 2 years of age or in patients with a weight below 10 kg
EOW=every other week; MTX=methotrexate; NDC=National Drug Code; NSAID=nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Indications1
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate, for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older.
Uveitis: HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.
Administration Considerations1
- HUMIRA is administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection
- The first injection should be given under the supervision of a healthcare professional. A patient may self-inject HUMIRA after appropriate training and monitoring by a healthcare professional
- Prior to initiating HUMIRA and periodically during therapy, patients should be evaluated for active tuberculosis and tested for latent infection
- In clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction was injection site reactions. 20% of patients treated with HUMIRA developed injection site reactions (erythema and/or itching, hemorrhage, pain or swelling), compared to 14% of patients receiving placebo. Most were mild and did not necessitate discontinuation
- Anaphylaxis or serious allergic reactions may occur
Indications1
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate or other non‑biologic DMARDs, for 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 rheumatoid arthritis.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate, for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with non‑biologic DMARDs, for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
Uveitis (UV): HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of non‑infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION1
SERIOUS INFECTIONS
Patients treated with HUMIRA are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.
Discontinue HUMIRA if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.
Reported infections include:
- Active tuberculosis (TB), including reactivation of latent TB. Patients with TB have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease. Test patients for latent TB before HUMIRA use and during therapy. Initiate treatment for latent TB prior to HUMIRA use.
- Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis. Patients with histoplasmosis or other invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease. Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection. Consider empiric anti‑fungal therapy in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness.
- Bacterial, viral, and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria.
Carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment with HUMIRA prior to initiating therapy in patients: 1. with chronic or recurrent infection, 2. who have been exposed to TB, 3. with a history of opportunistic infection, 4. who resided in or traveled in regions where mycoses are endemic, 5. with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with HUMIRA, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.
- Do not start HUMIRA during an active infection, including localized infections.
- Patients older than 65 years, patients with co‑morbid conditions, and/or patients taking concomitant immunosuppressants may be at greater risk of infection.
- If an infection develops, monitor carefully and initiate appropriate therapy.
- Drug interactions with biologic products: A higher rate of serious infections has been observed in RA patients treated with rituximab who received subsequent treatment with a TNF blocker. An increased risk of serious infections has been seen with the combination of TNF blockers with anakinra or abatacept, with no demonstrated added benefit in patients with RA. Concomitant administration of HUMIRA with other biologic DMARDs (e.g., anakinra or abatacept) or other TNF blockers is not recommended based on the possible increased risk for infections and other potential pharmacological interactions.
MALIGNANCY
Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers, including HUMIRA. Postmarketing cases of hepatosplenic T‑cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T‑cell lymphoma, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers, including HUMIRA. These cases have had a very aggressive disease course and have been fatal. The majority of reported TNF blocker cases have occurred in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and the majority were in adolescent and young adult males. Almost all of these patients had received treatment with azathioprine or 6‑mercaptopurine concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis. It is uncertain whether the occurrence of HSTCL is related to use of a TNF blocker or a TNF blocker in combination with these other immunosuppressants.
- Consider the risks and benefits of HUMIRA treatment prior to initiating or continuing therapy in a patient with known malignancy.
- In clinical trials, more cases of malignancies were observed among HUMIRA-treated patients compared to control patients.
- Non‑melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was reported during clinical trials for HUMIRA‑treated patients. Examine all patients, particularly those with a history of prolonged immunosuppressant or PUVA therapy, for the presence of NMSC prior to and during treatment with HUMIRA.
- In HUMIRA clinical trials, there was an approximate 3‑fold higher rate of lymphoma than expected in the general U.S. population. Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly those with highly active disease and/or chronic exposure to immunosuppressant therapies, may be at higher risk of lymphoma than the general population, even in the absence of TNF blockers.
- Postmarketing cases of acute and chronic leukemia were reported with TNF blocker use. Approximately half of the postmarketing cases of malignancies in children, adolescents, and young adults receiving TNF blockers were lymphomas; other cases included rare malignancies associated with immunosuppression and malignancies not usually observed in children and adolescents.
HYPERSENSITIVITY
- Anaphylaxis and angioneurotic edema have been reported following HUMIRA administration. If a serious allergic reaction occurs, stop HUMIRA and institute appropriate therapy.
HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION
- Use of TNF blockers, including HUMIRA, may increase the risk of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients who are chronic carriers. Some cases have been fatal.
- Evaluate patients at risk for HBV infection for prior evidence of HBV infection before initiating TNF blocker therapy.
- Exercise caution in patients who are carriers of HBV and monitor them during and after HUMIRA treatment.
- Discontinue HUMIRA and begin antiviral therapy in patients who develop HBV reactivation. Exercise caution when resuming HUMIRA after HBV treatment.
NEUROLOGIC REACTIONS
- TNF blockers, including HUMIRA, have been associated with rare cases of new onset or exacerbation of central nervous system and peripheral demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, and Guillain‑Barré syndrome.
- Exercise caution when considering HUMIRA for patients with these disorders; discontinuation of HUMIRA should be considered if any of these disorders develop.
- There is a known association between intermediate uveitis and central demyelinating disorders.
HEMATOLOGIC REACTIONS
- Rare reports of pancytopenia, including aplastic anemia, have been reported with TNF blockers. Medically significant cytopenia has been infrequently reported with HUMIRA.
- Consider stopping HUMIRA if significant hematologic abnormalities occur.
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
- Worsening and new onset congestive heart failure (CHF) has been reported with TNF blockers. Cases of worsening CHF have been observed with HUMIRA; exercise caution and monitor carefully.
AUTOIMMUNITY
- Treatment with HUMIRA may result in the formation of autoantibodies and, rarely, in development of a lupus‑like syndrome. Discontinue treatment if symptoms of a lupus‑like syndrome develop.
IMMUNIZATIONS
- Patients on HUMIRA should not receive live vaccines.
- Pediatric patients, if possible, should be brought up to date with all immunizations before initiating HUMIRA therapy.
- Adalimumab is actively transferred across the placenta during the third trimester of pregnancy and may affect immune response in the in utero exposed infant. The safety of administering live or live‑attenuated vaccines in infants exposed to HUMIRA in utero is unknown. Risks and benefits should be considered prior to vaccinating (live or live‑attenuated) exposed infants.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
- The most common adverse reactions in HUMIRA clinical trials (>10%) were: infections (e.g., upper respiratory, sinusitis), injection site reactions, headache, and rash.
INDICATIONS1
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate or other non‑biologic DMARDs, for 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 rheumatoid arthritis.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate, for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): HUMIRA is indicated, alone or in combination with non‑biologic DMARDs, for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
Adult Crohn's Disease (CD): HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy, and reducing signs and symptoms and inducing clinical remission in these patients if they have also lost response to or are intolerant to infliximab.
Pediatric Crohn's Disease: HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an inadequate response to corticosteroids or immunomodulators such as azathioprine, 6‑mercaptopurine, or methotrexate.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC): HUMIRA is indicated for inducing and sustaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, or 6‑mercaptopurine. The effectiveness of HUMIRA has not been established in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to anti‑TNF agents.
Plaque Psoriasis (Ps): HUMIRA is indicated for the 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. HUMIRA should only be administered to patients who will be closely monitored and have regular follow‑up visits with a physician.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in patients 12 years of age and older.
Uveitis: HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of non‑infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
References: 1. HUMIRA Injection [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc. 2. Tebbey PW, Varga A, Naill M, Clewell J, Venema J. Consistency of quality attributes for the glycosylated monoclonal antibody Humira® (adalimumab). MAbs. 2015;7(5):805‑811. 3. US Food and Drug Administration. HUMIRA (BLA 125057) 4. Nash P, Vanhoof J, Hall S, et al. Randomized crossover comparison of injection site pain with 40 mg/0.4 or 0.8 mL formulations of adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2016;3(2):257‑270. 5. Taub KJ, Blake PG, Langlois S, Jindal KK. A double blind, randomized, crossover study of the local tolerability of erythropoietin alfa formulations in dialysis patients. Can J Hosp Pharm. 1999;52:24‑29. 6. Boyce MJ, Warrington SJ. A comparison of the discomfort from subcutaneous injection of 0.4 mL vs. 1.0 mL citrate buffered epoetin alfa. Br J Clin Res. 1995;6:209‑212. 7. Veys N, Dhondt A, Lameire N. Pain at the injection site of subcutaneously administered erythropoietin: phosphate‑buffered epoetin alpha compared to citrate‑buffered epoetin alpha and epoetin beta. Clin Nephrol. 1998;49(1):41‑44. 8. Yu AW, Leung CB, Li PKT, Lui SF, Lai KN. Pain perception following subcutaneous injections of citrate buffered and phosphate buffered epoetin alpha. Int J Artif Organs. 1998;21(6):341‑343.
