Adalimumab
About
Adalimumab belongs to the class of monoclonal TNF (Tumor necrosis factor) inhibitors that help reduce signs and symptoms of autoimmune disorders. It is primarily used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. This medicine is also used in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis.
Adalimumab consists of Adalimumab, which works by inhibiting the TNF-α and TNF-β binding to the cell surface, thereby making the TNF cytokine inactive. This helps reduce inflammation and pain caused by various autoimmune diseases.
Adalimumab may cause certain side effects such as nausea, headache, back pain, upper respiratory tract infections, vision problems, dizziness, pale skin, numbness, chest pain, rash, and injection site reactions. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention or resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist for longer, please consult your doctor on priority. Adalimumab is a parenteral medicine. It will be administered by a trained healthcare doctor. Hence, do not self-administer. Your physician will decide the dose and duration of the medicine based on the type and severity of the condition.
Adalimumab should be avoided if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor if you have any history of serious infections, tuberculosis, optimistic infections, cancer, alcoholic hepatitis, hepatitis B virus infection, heart failure, liver, heart, or kidney diseases, or a weak immune system, as it can worsen your health condition. Adalimumab may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert and focused. Adalimumab should not be given to children under two years of age as safety has not been established. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses of Adalimumab
Medicinal Benefits
Adalimumab consists of Adalimumab, which belongs to the class of monoclonal TNF (Tumor necrosis factor) inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the TNF-α and TNF-β binding to the cell surface, thereby making the TNF cytokine inactive. This helps reduce inflammation and pain, redness, and inflammation (swelling) caused by various autoimmune diseases.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Adalimumab
- Tingling or numbness
- Shortness of breath
- Vision problems
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Nausea
- Upper respiratory tract infections.
- Chest pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Adalimumab should be avoided if allergic to it or any other components present. Inform your doctor if you have any history of serious infections, tuberculosis, optimistic infections, cancer, alcoholic hepatitis, hepatitis B virus infection, heart failure, liver, heart or kidney diseases, weak immune system, multiple sclerosis (nerve and muscle disease), or diabetes as it can worsen your health condition. Do not take live vaccines while being treated with Adalimumab to prevent any serious consequences. Adalimumab is not recommended for use in children below two years of age as safety and efficacy are not established. This medicine is not recommended for patients suffering from sepsis as it can worsen the condition.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Adalimumab may interact with other immunosuppressants (certolizumab, golimumab, infliximab, rituximab), medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (anakinra), live vaccines, and other TNF inhibitors (abatacept).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Adalimumab should be used with caution in patients with liver or kidney disease, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, weak immune system (HIV), hepatitis B, cancer, and serious infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Adalimumab. Please consult the doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Adalimumab. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Adalimumab.
Driving
not applicableAdalimumab will be administered in the hospital setting. Hence, driving is not recommended.
Liver
cautionAdalimumab should be used with caution if you have liver disease. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionAdalimumab should be used with caution if you have kidney disease. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment.
Children
cautionAdalimumab is not recommended in children below two years of age as safety and efficacy are not established. In children above two years of age, it will be administered by the pediatrician. Adalimumab is used in children only for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, paediatric Crohn’s disease, and uveitis.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching that is less likely to spasm, tear and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
- Massages can also be helpful.
- Avoid freezing and hot temperatures.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes; instead, wear loose garments.
- Rest well and get plenty of sleep.
- Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water.
Special Advise
- It is advised to closely monitor the patient for infections like active tuberculosis during and after the treatment, though the patient gets a negative tuberculin test.
- It is essential to inform your doctor if you have any active viral, bacterial, and fungal infections before starting Adalimumab.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an auto-immune disease (the body's immune system attacks its tissue) that causes joint pain and damage. It occurs when the immune system does not work properly. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, deformities and loss of joint function.
Ankylosing spondylitis: It causes pain and stiffness in the spine. The pain generally starts in the lower back and can spread to the neck, damaged joints, or other body parts. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include decreased flexibility, which usually leads to a hunched-forward posture and pain in the back and joints.
Psoriatic arthritis: It is a type of inflammatory arthritis which occurs in patients with psoriasis. It could also occur in patients without psoriasis, particularly in those with a family history of psoriasis. It affects large joints in the lower extremities, the distal joints of toes and fingers, and the back and pelvis. Symptoms include inflammation of joints, difficulty moving, swelling, patches of red, scaly skin and pain.
Plaque psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is a most common autoimmune condition in which skin cells multiply faster than normal, resulting in white scales and itchy, red, dry patches. Certain medications, infections, skin injury, stress, and tobacco or alcohol use are the common triggers for plaque psoriasis.
Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a serious inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation in the digestive tract. It produces ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine, which may cause bleeding and discharge of pus and mucus. The common symptoms include bloody stools, stomach pain, rectal pain, diarrhoea, fever, or weight loss. Additionally, it may cause other problems such as joint pain or swelling, mouth sores, skin problems, decreased appetite, or nausea. Ulcerative Colitis mostly occurs in people between the age of 15 to 30 years.
Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus. But mostly occurs in the small intestine and large intestine. The symptoms include blood in stools, stomach cramps, tiredness, diarrhoea, fever, weight loss, or loss of appetite.
Uveitis: The inner wall of the eye's middle layer is called the uvea. Any inflammation in the uvea is known as uveitis. The causes of uveitis could be an eye injury, viral/bacterial infection, or any underlying disease conditions. If untreated, uveitis could lead to loss of vision. Common symptoms include redness, blurry vision, pain, and swelling. Sometimes, it can also occur after eye surgery.
FAQs
Adalimumab contains Adalimumab, which works by inhibiting the TNF-α and TNF-β binding to the cell surface, thereby making the TNF cytokine inactive.
Adalimumab affects your immune system and makes you more susceptible to infections. Hence, it is not recommended in people with active infections like tuberculosis or abnormal liver enzymes. Adalimumab can also increase the risk of developing cancers; hence, informing your doctor if you have a history of any cancer is essential.
