Humira (Abbott Laboratories) injection is used to treat the symptoms and prevent the progression of moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis and active ankylosing spondylitis. It is used in children 4 years of age and older for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Humira (Abbott Laboratories) is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis, which is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints along with patches of scaly skin on some areas of the body. Psoriatic arthritis usually occurs with a skin condition called psoriasis. Humira (Abbott Laboratories) may be used alone or in combination with other medicines (eg, methotrexate).

Humira (Abbott Laboratories) injection is also used to treat the symptoms of active Crohn’s disease in adult patients who have not been helped by other medicines, including infliximab. It is also used to treat moderate to moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in patients who have been treated with other medicines (eg, azathioprine, corticosteroids, or 6-mercaptopurine) that did not work well.

Humira (Abbott Laboratories) injection may also be used to treat chronic plaque psoriasis, which is a skin disease with red patches and white scales that do not go away.

Humira (Abbott Laboratories) is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

How should I use Humira (Abbott Laboratories)?

Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Use Humira (Abbott Laboratories) regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

The dose schedule for Humira (Abbott Laboratories) is highly variable and depends on the condition you are treating. You may need an injection only every other week. Or you may need up to 4 injections in 1 day for 2 days in a row. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.

Do not start using Humira (Abbott Laboratories) if you have any signs of an infection (fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, body aches, tiredness, cough with mucus, feeling short of breath, skin sores, stomach pain, diarrhea, pain or burning when you urinate). Call your doctor for instructions.

Humira (Abbott Laboratories) is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. Do not inject Humira (Abbott Laboratories) into skin that is bruised, red, tender, or hard.

Each Humira (Abbott Laboratories) prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside. Do not use a prefilled syringe if the medicine if it looks cloudy or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof “sharps” disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Humira (Abbott Laboratories) can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with Humira (Abbott Laboratories). Contact your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, sore throat, or flu symptoms.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Humira (Abbott Laboratories).

If you have ever had hepatitis B, Humira (Abbott Laboratories) can cause this condition to come back or get worse. You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function during treatment and for several months after you stop using this medicine.

Store in a refrigerator. If you travel with a prefilled syringe, keep it in a small cooler with an ice pack and protect it from light. Do not remove the prefilled syringe from the refrigerator or cooler until you are ready to give yourself an injection.

Do not freeze Humira (Abbott Laboratories), and throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.

How to use Humira (Abbott Laboratories) subcutaneous

Read the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use provided by your pharmacist before you start using Humira (Abbott Laboratories) and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Do not shake this product.

If you are removing this medication from the refrigerator, leave it at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before injecting. Do not warm up this medication any other way such as by heating in the microwave or placing in hot water.

Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Inject this medication under the skin on the thigh or abdomen as directed by your doctor, usually every other week or once a week in some cases. If you are using this medication to treat psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or uveitis, your doctor may prescribe a different schedule/higher dose at the start of your treatment. Carefully follow your doctor’s directions for using this medication.

Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. New injections should be given at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeter) from an old site. Do not inject into any areas of the skin that are sore, bruised, red, or hard.

Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage is also based on weight.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark the day on the calendar when you need to receive this medication. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.