Amjevita (adalimumab-atto) is a prescription drug used for certain inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Amjevita can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include sinusitis and injection site reactions.

Specifically, Amjevita is used in adults for certain inflammatory conditions. The following are just a few examples of conditions Amjevita is approved for:

Amjevita is also used in certain children for juvenile idiopathic arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

Amjevita is a biologic medication. This means that Amjevita is made from parts of living organisms. The active ingredient in Amjevita is adalimumab-atto. The drug comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin.

Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects that Amjevita can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Amjevita has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Amjevita treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Amjevita. These include:

  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • headache
  • rash
  • flu-like symptoms
  • urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • upper respiratory infection, including sinusitis
  • injection site reactions, which may include symptoms such as swelling, itching, and redness or discoloration

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Amjevita treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Amjevita may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Amjevita. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Amjevita, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Amjevita, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Amjevita can cause an allergic reaction.

This side effect was reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Amjevita treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Amjevita, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Amjevita’s side effects.

How do the side effects of Amjevita compare with those seen with Humira?

Side effects of Amjevita are similar to those seen with Humira. This is because Amjevita is a biosimilar form of Humira. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

Since Amjevita is a biosimilar of Humira, they share some of the same side effects. For example, injection site reactions, such as swelling and itching, are a common side effect seen with both drugs.

Talk with your doctor for additional information about how side effects compare between Amjevita and Humira.

Does Amjevita cause weight loss?

No. Weight loss wasn’t a side effect seen during studies of Amjevita.

But, weight loss can occur in people who have ulcerative colitis or develop a serious infection. Amjevita is used to treat ulcerative colitis and it can cause a serious infection. So, you may experience weight loss while receiving Amjevita due to reasons other than the medication.

Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing weight loss while using Amjevita.

Is hair loss possible with Amjevita?

It’s not likely. Hair loss wasn’t a side effect seen during studies of Amjevita. But, there have been reports of this side effect in people using Amjevita since the drug was made available on the market. It’s unclear how often this has happened or if Amjevita was the cause.

Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing hair loss while using Amjevita.

Learn more about some of the side effects Amjevita may cause.

Risk of cancer

Amjevita has a boxed warning for increased risk of cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, such as Amjevita, have been reported to raise the risk of developing certain cancers. Examples include lymphoma, leukemia, and skin cancer.

There have also been cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (a rare type of lymphoma) occurring in people using these medications. This type of lymphoma can be severe and lifet threatening. These cases were reported after the drug came to market, so it’s unclear how often this has happened. It was also difficult to determine whether the use of the drug was the cause.

In general, cancer may cause symptoms such as:

  • tiredness
  • changes in skin
  • fever
  • lumps or growths on your body

What might help

Before starting Amjevita, talk with your doctor about all your medical conditions, including previous history of cancer. They may also order blood tests and check your skin before and during your treatment. This is to monitor you for any cancer development.

If you experience the above symptoms during your Amjevita treatment, talk with your doctor right away.

Risk of serious infection

Amjevita has a boxed warning for increased risk of serious infection. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

TNF blockers, such as Amjevita, have been reported to raise the risk of developing serious infections. This is because these drugs can weaken your immune system. In some cases, these infections may be serious, possibly leading to hospitalization and death.

These serious infections may include bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Tuberculosis (TB) is an example of a serious bacterial infection that has been reported with use of TNF blockers.

In general, an infection may cause symptoms such as:

  • feeling tired
  • fever, sweats, or chills
  • shortness of breath
  • muscle aches
  • cough
  • diarrhea or stomach pain

Using certain medications, such as methotrexate (Trexall) or abatacept (Orencia), with Amjevita may raise your risk of developing these serious infections. Before starting Amjevita, talk with your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.

What might help

Your doctor will test you for TB and other infections before you start Amjevita. Be sure to also talk with them about any current infections you may have, including any infections or infections that keep returning. Your doctor will treat any current infections you have before starting Amjevita. This is because Amjevita isn’t typically recommended if you have any current or ongoing infections.

Talk with your doctor right away if you develop any symptoms of an infection during your Amjevita treatment. They may recommend pausing Amjevita while treating your infection.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Amjevita treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Amjevita affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Amjevita.

Boxed warnings

Amjevita has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Other warnings

Amjevita can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Amjevita is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Amjevita. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.