Medication Monday...Humira Pen Subcutaneous..Adalimumab

Before we get to the medication I need to remind you...

• that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
  
• please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
  

• the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.

For this installment, I have chosen Humira Pen Subcutaneous GENERIC NAME(S): ADALIMUMAB 

Uses: This medication is used to reduce pain and swelling due to certain types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, juvenile idiopathic, ankylosing spondylitis). This medication is also used to treat psoriasis (plaque-type). It works by blocking a protein (tumor necrosis factor or TNF) found in the body's immune system that causes joint swelling and damage.

**Please read this information carefully** 
 If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.

Humira Pen Subcutaneous GENERIC NAME(S): ADALIMUMAB

Uses
This medication is used to reduce pain and swelling due to certain types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, juvenile idiopathic, ankylosing spondylitis). This medication is also used to treat psoriasis (plaque-type). It works by blocking a protein (tumor necrosis factor or TNF) found in the body's immune system that causes joint swelling and damage.

Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with more aggressive therapy, including this type of medication (TNF blockers), helps to reduce further joint damage and preserve joint function.

This medication is also used to treat certain bowel conditions (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis). It is used in cases that are moderate to severe and/or keep coming back.

How to use Humira Pen subcutaneous
Read the Patient Information Leaflet and the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using adalimumab and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Inject this medication under the skin in the thigh or abdomen as directed by your doctor, usually every other week or weekly in some cases. Learn all preparation and usage instructions in the product package. Do not shake.

Rotate injection sites. 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.

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

Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Never reuse syringes or needles. Consult your pharmacist.

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

Side Effects See also Warning section.
Redness, itching, pain, or swelling at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, stomach pain, blood in the stools, mental/mood changes, severe headache, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing eyes and skin, leg pain or swelling, numbness or tingling of the arms/hands/legs/feet, unsteadiness, unexplained muscle weakness, difficulty with speaking/chewing/swallowing/facial movements, vision changes, extreme fatigue, joint pain, butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizures, chest pain.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop signs of infection while using this drug, such as: fever, chills, night sweats, persistent sore throat, trouble breathing, painful or frequent urination, persistent cough, unusual vaginal discharge, white patches in the mouth (oral thrush).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

HUMIRA PEN SUBCUTANEOUS Side Effects List
The following side effects are associated with Humira Pen subcutaneous:


Common side effects of Humira Pen subcutaneous: ·                                 
                                  Acute Infection of the Nose, Throat or Sinus Severe

·                                 Bacterial Infection of Blood or Tissues affecting the Whole Body Severe

·                                 Cellulitis Severe

·                                 Extreme Loss of Body Water Severe

·                                 Fever Severe

·                                 Infection Severe

·                                 Lupus-Like Syndrome Severe

·                                 Rash Severe

·                                 Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe

·                                 Head Pain Less Severe

·                                 Signs and Symptoms at Injection Site Less Severe

·                                 Sinus Irritation and Congestion Less Severe

·                                 Stomach Cramps Less Severe

Infrequent side effects of Humira Pen subcutaneous: ·                                
                                  A Malignant Pigmented Mole or Tumor  Severe

·                                 Abnormal Heart Rhythm Severe

·                                 Abnormal Increase in Red Blood Cells Severe

·                                 Accumulation of Blood in Subdural Space Under Skull Bone Severe

·                                 Accumulation of Ketones from Abnormal Metabolism Severe

·                                 Acquired Increase of Red Blood Cells Severe

·                                 Asthma Severe

·                                 Atrial Fibrillation Severe

·                                 Bacterial Infection of the Kidney and Renal Pelvis Severe

·                                 Bleeding of the Stomach or Intestines Severe

·                                 Breast Cancer Severe

·                                 Broken Bone Severe

·                                 Bronchospasm Severe

·                                 Cataracts Severe

·                                 Chest Pain Severe

·                                 Chronic Heart Failure Severe

·                                 Complete Stoppage of the Heart Severe

·                                 Decreased Function of the Parathyroid Gland Severe

·                                 Decreased White Blood Cells Severe

·                                 Deficiency of Granulocytes a Type of White Blood Cell Severe

·                                 Extremely High Blood Pressure Severe

·                                 Fast Heartbeat Severe

·                                 Feeling Faint Severe

·                                 Fluid in the Covering of the Heart or Pericardium Severe

·                                 Fluid Retention in the Legs, Feet, Arms or Hands Severe

·                                 Flu-Like Symptoms  Severe

·                                 Formation of Blood Clots in the Leg Veins Severe

·                                 Gallstones Severe

·                                 Heart Attack Severe

·                                 Heart Throbbing or Pounding Severe

·                                 High Blood Pressure Severe

·                                 Increased Antibody Proteins in the BloodSevere

·                                 Infection caused by a Fungus Severe

·                                 Inflammation of the Bladder Severe

·                                 Inflammation of the Covering of the Heart or Pericardium Severe

·                                 Kidney Stone Severe

·                                 Liver Tissue Death Severe

·                                 Malignant Lymphoma Severe

·                                 Multiple Sclerosis Severe

·                                 Pneumonia Severe

·                                 Reactivated Tuberculosis Severe

·                                 Red Lesions of Skin caused by Group A Streptococcus Severe

·                                 Shingles Severe

·                                 Trouble Breathing Severe

·                                 Tumor of the Skin Severe

·                                 Urinary Tract Infection Severe

·                                 Arthritis Less Severe

·                                 Backache Less Severe

·                                 Bacteria causing an Infection in the Joints Less Severe

·                                 Bloody Urine Less Severe

·                                 Bone Disease Less Severe

·                                 Confused Less Severe

·                                 Cramps Less Severe

·                                 Escape of Fluid into the Lungs Less Severe

·                                 High Amount of Fats in the Blood Less Severe

·                                 High Cholesterol Less Severe

·                                 Impaired Wound Healing Less Severe

·                                 Inflammation of the Esophagus Less Severe

·                                 Inflammation of the Lining of a Joint Less Severe

·                                 Inflammation of the Lining of the Stomach and Intestines Less Severe

·                                 Involuntary Quivering Less Severe

·                                 Irregular Periods Less Severe

·                                 Muscle Weakness Less Severe

·                                 Numbness and Tingling Less Severe

·                                 Pain in Arms or Legs Less Severe

·                                 Pelvic Pain Less Severe

·                                 Throwing Up Less Severe

Rare side effects of Humira Pen subcutaneous: ·                                 
                                  A Fungal Infection that Occurs Under Certain Circumstances Severe

·                                 Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe

·                                 Acquired Decrease of All Cells in the Blood Severe

·                                 Active Tuberculosis Severe

·                                 Appendicitis Severe

·                                 Blood Clot in a Deep Vein Severe

·                                 Blood Clot in Lung Severe

·                                 Decreased Blood Platelets Severe

·                                 Demyelinating Disease Severe

·                                 Diverticulitis Severe

·                                 Drug Therapy that Worsens or Flares Psoriasis Severe

·                                 Erythema MultiformeSevere

·                                 Giant Hives Severe

·                                 Guillain-Barre Syndrome Severe

·                                 Heart Failure Severe

·                                 Hepatosplenic T-cell Lymphoma Severe

·                                 Hole in the Intestine Severe

·                                 Infection caused by a Protozoa Organism Severe

·                                 Infection caused by Blastomyces Dermatitidis Fungus Severe

·                                 Infection caused by Coccidioides Fungus Severe

·                                 Infection caused by the Bacteria Listeria Monocytogenes Severe

·                                 Inflammation of Blood Vessels in the Skin Severe

·                                 Inflammation of the Gallbladder Severe

·                                 Legionnaire's Disease Severe

·                                 Leukemia Severe

·                                 Life Threatening Allergic Reaction Severe

·                                 Liver Failure Severe

·                                 Low Blood Counts due to Bone Marrow Failure Severe

·                                 Lung Fibrosis Severe

·                                 Malignant Tumor or Cancer Severe

·                                 Pancreatitis Severe

·                                 Reaction due to an Allergy Severe

·                                 Relapse of Hepatitis B Infection Symptoms Severe

·                                 Sarcoidosis Severe

·                                 Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Severe

·                                 Stroke Severe

·                                 Sudden Blindness and Pain Upon Moving the Eye Severe

·                                 Type of Infection caused by Histoplasmosis Fungus Severe

·                                 Vasculitis Severe

·                                 Worsening of Chronic Heart Failure Severe

·                                 Hair Loss Less Severe

Precautions See also Warning section.

Before using adalimumab, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as natural rubber/latex), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: current/past/recurrent infections (such as hepatitis B, TB infection, histoplasmosis), decreased bone marrow function, seizures, certain brain/spinal cord/nerve disorders (demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome), history of cancer (e.g., lymphoma), a certain type of heart disease (heart failure), lupus.

Adalimumab can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be at greater risk for infections while using this drug.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug passes into breast milk in small amounts. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: abatacept, live vaccines, other TNF-blockers (such as etanercept, infliximab), certain arthritis drugs (such as leflunomide, anakinra, tofacitinib), drugs that suppress the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine).

Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes
Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., CBC, liver function) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist to establish a new dosing schedule.

Storage
Store in the refrigerator away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised October 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.