What Is Humira (Adalimumab)?

AppId is over the quota AppId is over the quota Editor’s Choice
Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: Crohn’s / IBD;??Eczema / Psoriasis;??Immune System / Vaccines
Article Date: 24 Jul 2012 – 0:00 PST Current ratings for:
What Is Humira (Adalimumab)?
2 stars1 star
Humira (adalimumab) is a TNF inhibitor approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, chronic plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease,http://www.eczemablog.net/ ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Humira is used for pain relief and to reduce inflammation in a number of autoimmune diseases.

Humira belongs to a class of drugs called biologics. Biologics are therapies based on proteins – usually antibodies – which have been developed with DNA technology (genetic engineering). Humira is a fully human monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are types of proteins that identify and bind to specific proteins.

Experts are still not completely sure what causes autoimmune diseases. However, studies have shown that TNFα (Necrosis Factor Alpha) is a major contributor to inflammation in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease and psoriasis. TNFα triggers inflammation when the body’s immune system goes into action.

Excess TNFα can attack healthy tissue and cause inflammation.


Humira binds to TNFα, blocking its inflammatory effect, resulting in less pain and inflammation for patients with autoimmune diseases.


The word HUMIRA stands for HUman Monoclonal Antibody In Rheumatoid Arthritis. It can be injected with a syringe or a preloaded pen device (Humira Pen) subcutaneously, usually by the patient at home. As the human’s digestive system would destroy the active ingredient, it cannot be taken orally.

Patients respond at different speeds to Humira’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Some start to experience benefits from day one, while others may take from two to three months.

It is vital that the patient adheres to the treatment plan for best results.


Autoimmune diseases are not curable, but some of the symptoms, such as pain and inflammation can be controlled with medications. Humira is a long-term treatment. Those who stop taking their meds are most likely to have overactive immune systems again.

Humira has been proven in clinical trials to be effective for patients with the following auto-immune diseases (it is has also been approved for these diseases): Active ankylosing spondylitis – chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints. The patient feels pain and stiffness in and around the area of the spine. Eventually the chronic inflammation can lead to complete fusion of the vertebrae (ankylosis). Ankylosing spondylitis is sometimes present in people with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative and Crohn’s colitis) and psoriasis. A 2008 Phase III clinical trial (ATLAS) demonstrated that Humira reduced the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis for up to 36 months in 74% of patients.
Moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis – approximately 80% of psoriasis patients have this type. The patient has well-defined patches of red raised skin, usually on the trunk, scalp, elbows, knees and nails, but they can appear anywhere on the skin. Scale builds up on top of the plaques. People with psoriasis have very dry skin, which can itch, crack and be painful.

A study conducted by Decision Resources in April 2010, found that Humira overtook Enbrel as the most efficacious medication for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis.

Moderate to severe Crohn’s disease – a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Any part of the gut can be affected, from the mouth to the anus. In most cases the ileum (lower part of the small intestine) is affected. Patients feel pain and often find their condition makes the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.

Two studies (CHARM and GAIN) showed that Humira helped moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease patients achieve long-term remission and a full clinical response.

Moderate to severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis – an inflammation of one or more joints that starts in childhood. Pain is an important symptom, which often improves during the day.
Moderate to severely active psoriatic arthritis – joint inflammation which affects about 1 in every 10 psoriasis patients.
Moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis – often referred to as rheumatoid disease. It is a chronic, progressive and disabling autoimmune disease that causes pain and inflammation in the joints, as well as tissue around the joints, and other organs.

Rheumatologists’ preferred medications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were found to be Humira and Enbrel, according to a study carried out by Decision Resources.

Patients should not take Humira if they are allergic to any medication containing adalimumab or Mannitol, sodium citrate, monobasic sodium phosphate dehydrate, sodium chloride, citric acid monohydrate, or polysorbate 80.

People with an allergic reaction may have chest tightness, hives, itching, skin rash, swelling of the tongue, lips, face and other parts of the body, wheezing, breathing difficulties, and shortness of breath.


You should not take Humira if you have: A severe infection, active tuberculosis, and other infections that may occur when the immune system is weakenedYou are currently taking Kineret (anakinra) or Orencia (abatacept)It is important for your doctor to know if you have or had any of the medical conditions listed below: Any type of infection, including a localized one, such as a leg ulcerA fungal infectionAllergy to latex or rubberAny heart conditionAny type of autoimmune diseaseAny type of demyelinating disease, including multiple sclerosisCancerLiver or kidney problemsRecurrent infections, or any conditions which increase infection risk Taking immunosuppressant medicationsTB (tuberculosis), or if you have been close to somebody infected with TBYou are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus

Written by Christian Nordqvist


Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today Visit our arthritis / rheumatology section for the latest news on this subject. Sources: Abbott Laboratories, Medical News Today archives, Wikipedia. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

Nordqvist, Christian. “What Is Humira (Adalimumab)?.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 24 Jul. 2012. Web.
7 Apr. 2013. APA

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.


posted by Su Su on 25 Jul 2012 at 5:24 am

Sounds like the “cure” could kill you first. Get a load of the listed side effects. Our relative died from the drugs, not RA.


| post followup | alert a moderator |


‘What Is Humira (Adalimumab)?’

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.


If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.


All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)


Contact Our News Editors


For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:


Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.



View the original article here


Eczema Blog