is humira a peptide FAQ

You’ll know Humira isn’t working for your condition if your symptoms don’t ease or ease so little that your condition still affects your daily life. If Humira is working, you should notice symptom relief within the first few months of taking the drug. If you have questions about how well Humira is working for you, talk with your doctor. If you can become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are using birth control, it’s important to consider whether Humira is a safe choice for you. You can refer to this Humira reproductive health article for more information. If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor. Humira is a biologic drug. Because of the way biologics are made, they typically need to be refrigerated. You should keep Humira in the original carton in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). This helps protect the drug from light. Never freeze Humira. When you get Humira from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the carton. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. If necessary (such as when traveling), you can keep Humira at room temperature to a maximum of 77°F (25°C) for up to 14 days. Be sure to protect the drug from light at all times until you give yourself your dose. If you no longer need to take Humira and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment. This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication. Humira contains the active ingredient adalimumab, which belongs to a drug class called TNF blockers. Humira is approved to treat several inflammatory conditions related to the immune system. To learn how Humira works to treat these conditions, see this how Humira works article. This drug comes with several precautions.

There’s not a lot of research on whether it’s safe to have surgery while taking Humira. One potential side effect of Humira is an increased risk of serious infections, such as tuberculosis (TB). This is because Humira can weaken your immune system. Having surgery also places you at a higher risk for infection. So there’s concern that having surgery while taking Humira can raise your risk further. In an older If you plan on having surgery while taking Humira, talk with your doctor. They’ll help determine the right treatment plan for you.

Humira itself isn’t likely to cause withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal refers to symptoms that can occur if you stop taking a drug that your body is dependent on.) However, if you stop using Humira, there’s a strong possibility that symptoms of your condition will return or worsen. For example, in clinical studies, 22% of people with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) who stopped taking Humira had a flare-up of their HS symptoms after they ended their treatment. If you have questions about ending your use of Humira, talk with your doctor. You shouldn’t stop taking the drug on your own.

You’ll need several tests before starting Humira treatment and while you take the drug, including:

Humira is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Humira is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Yes. As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions, you can stop taking Humira and then restart your treatment later on. But the drug may not work as well the second time. This is because it’s possible for your body to form antibodies against Humira. (Antibodies are immune system proteins that attack substances, such as Humira, and can keep them from working well.) So when you stop and then restart your treatment, the antibodies can make the drug less effective. However, one study looked at people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who stopped taking Humira, and then started their treatment again. These people had a flare-up (worsening of symptoms) after they ended their treatment. But taking Humira the second time was effective at easing the RA flare-up within 9 months in 100% of the people. Note that this was a small study, and further research is still needed. It’s important that you don’t stop your Humira treatment without first checking with your doctor. They can help answer any questions you have.

No, Humira is given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin). An IV infusion is when a drug is injected directly into a vein over a period of time. Infusions must be given by healthcare professionals. With Humira, a healthcare professional can give you the injections. But you may be able to give yourself injections at home with the pen or syringe forms if your doctor approves. You’d need to be trained first. This way, you wouldn’t have to go to your doctor’s office to receive your doses. If you have any questions about how to take Humira, talk with your doctor.

If you forget a dose of Humira, take your next dose as soon as you remember. Then, you should take your next dose at the regular time to put you back on schedule. If you receive Humira at your doctor’s office, call the office right away to reschedule your missed dose. If you aren’t sure what to do after missing a dose of Humira, talk with your doctor. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.