If you have a certain type of arthritis or a disease related to inflammation, your doctor may prescribe Humira for you.

It’s a prescription drug that’s used in certain situations to treat the following conditions:

To learn more about these conditions and how Humira is used for them, see the “What is Humira used for?” section below.

Humira basics

Humira belongs to a group of medications called tumor necrosis factor blockers.

It comes as a solution that you’ll receive as an injection under your skin.

Humira contains the active drug adalimumab. Adalimumab is a biologic medication, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms.

Humira is available in biosimilar forms, which are called Hyrimoz, Hadlima, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Abrilada, Hulio, and Yusimry. These biosimilars are not yet available for use.

Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

Read on to learn more about Humira’s side effects, uses, cost, and more.

Like most drugs, Humira may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Humira may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you may be taking

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Humira. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Humira can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Humira’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Humira that have been reported include:

  • headache
  • upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
  • rash
  • injection site reaction*

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information on this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Humira can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Humira, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Humira that have been reported include:

* For more information on this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

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

Boxed warnings

Humira has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Humira’s boxed warnings are described below.

Risk of serious infections. Taking Humira can increase your risk for getting a serious infection. This includes tuberculosis, fungal infections, and other rare infections. It may also include bacterial sepsis (a life threatening illness that can result from an infection).

Symptoms of a serious infection will vary, but they may include:

Risk of cancer. Some children and adolescents have developed certain types of cancer when taking Humira. Lymphoma, which is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, was reported in some children and adolescents taking the drug. Other cancers that can lead to death were also reported.

Additionally, a rare type of lymphoma called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma was reported in adolescents and children with inflammatory bowel disease who took Humira. (Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma is a rare type of cancer that affects cells in your liver and spleen.)

What might help

If you develop a serious infection or sepsis while you’re taking Humira, your doctor will have you stop taking the drug. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of infection while using this drug.

Your doctor will also check you for tuberculosis before you start using Humira. And during treatment with Humira, your doctor will monitor you for any signs or symptoms of tuberculosis.

Before prescribing Humira, your doctor will consider the benefits and risks of using this drug if you already have cancer. If you develop cancer while you’re taking Humira, your doctor will also weigh the benefits and risks of Humira treatment. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Humira. But don’t stop taking the drug without first talking with your doctor.

Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions are the most common side effect of Humira. These occur on your skin after you receive a Humira injection. With an injection site reaction, you may have:

  • redness or deepening of skin color
  • itching
  • rash
  • bruising
  • bleeding
  • pain
  • swelling

Most of the time, injection site reactions with Humira are mild.

What might help

Injection site reactions will typically disappear within a few days after you’ve gotten a Humira injection. But if you have severe pain, redness or discoloration, or swelling that doesn’t reduce, call your doctor right away. They can recommend ways to manage your condition.

Sometimes, changing injection techniques may help prevent injection site reactions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you’re correctly injecting Humira doses.

Side effects after first injection

You may have side effects from Humira after your first injection of the drug. But it’s also possible to have similar side effects that last for several hours after each injection. And you can also have side effects for a few days after Humira injections.

These side effects are generally mild and include:

  • pain at Humira injection sites
  • a hangover feeling

What might help

If you have side effects after your first Humira injection or after receiving more than one injection, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend ways to help reduce your side effects before considering a different treatment.

Sometimes, using a lower dose of Humira might help relieve the side effects. But don’t change your dose of Humira without first talking with your doctor.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Humira. It’s possible to have a reaction to the active or inactive ingredients in Humira.

Additionally, if you have a latex allergy, be careful when touching the needle cap of Humira pens and prefilled syringes. These caps contain natural rubber latex. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before using Humira.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • rash
  • itchiness
  • hives
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Humira. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

If you have a certain type of arthritis or a disease related to inflammation, your doctor may prescribe Humira for you.

It’s a prescription drug that’s used in certain situations to treat the following conditions:

  • Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Humira is used to treat moderate to severe HS in people ages 12 years and older. HS is a skin condition that causes sores on your underarm (axilla) or groin, around your anus, between your anus and urethra, and under your breasts.
  • Crohn’s disease (CD). Humira is used to treat moderate to severe CD in adults and children ages 6 years and older. CD is an inflammatory disease that causes swelling in your intestines.
  • Plaque psoriasis (PsO). Humira is used to treat moderate to severe PsO in adults. With PsO, you may have plaques on the skin of your scalp or trunk, or the skin around your joints. (Plaques are rough, thick, or scaly patches.) Some people with PsO develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which is described just below.
  • Psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Humira is used to treat PsA in adults. The drug helps to slow the worsening of this condition. With PsA, you have inflammation in your joints and you may also have plaques on your skin, similar to those seen with PsO. (PsO is described directly above.)
  • Ulcerative colitis (UC). Humira is used to treat moderate to severe UC in adults and children ages 5 years and older. With UC, you have swelling in your lower intestine.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Humira is used to treat RA in adults. The drug can help slow the worsening of this condition. With RA, you have inflammation in your joints. But you may also have problems with other organs in your body.
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Humira is used to treat moderate to severe JIA in children ages 2 years and older. JIA is a type of arthritis that occurs in children.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Humira is used to treat AS in adults. AS and RA are very similar diseases. But people with AS usually have long-lasting lower back pain. This is unlike people with RA, who usually have long-lasting pain in joints in their hands, wrists, or knees.
  • Uveitis. Humira is used to treat uveitis in adults and children ages 2 years and older. With uveitis, you have inflammation in your eyes that can cause pain and vision loss.

Adalimumab, the active drug in Humira, targets a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The drug blocks this protein from attaching to its receptors (binding sites).

People with inflammatory diseases such as RA or PsA may have too much TNF in their joints. And having too much TNF can lead to inflammation in your body. This is how Humira works for the conditions listed above.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Humira manufacturer’s website to see support options. You’ll also be able to check if your insurance plan covers Humira. And if you’d like to know the drug’s cost without insurance coverage, call 800-4HUMIRA (800-448-6472) to speak with a Humira nurse ambassador. You can see an overview of the drug’s support options on the Humira Complete program website.

Your doctor will explain how you should take Humira. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often you should take it. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Taking Humira

Humira comes in prefilled pens, prefilled syringes, and vials. Each pen, syringe, and vial contains a single dose of Humira.

You’ll inject Humira under your skin. Your doctor will show you how to give Humira injections to yourself. Be sure to let your doctor know if you have any questions or concerns about administering the drug to yourself.

For some conditions, you may need to inject a loading dose of the drug. A loading dose is a dose that’s larger than your regular dose. It allows the drug to start working quickly in your body.

For example, if you’re taking Humira for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), your first Humira dose will be larger than the rest of your doses.

Humira injection sites

You’ll inject Humira under the skin of:

  • your belly, staying 2 inches away from your belly button
  • the front of your thighs

Every time you inject a dose of Humira, you should choose a different injection site. And each new injection should be given at least one inch away from your last injection site.

You should avoid injecting Humira into skin that’s:

  • sore
  • bruised
  • red or discolored
  • hard
  • scarred, including having stretch marks

Dosage

How often you should take Humira depends on the reason you’re taking Humira.

For example, if you’re an adult who has HS, you’ll take a dose of Humira on the first day of treatment. Then, you’ll take a dose on day 15 and day 29. After day 29, you’ll take a dose once every week or once every other week.

Talk with your doctor to find out how often you’ll need to take Humira for your condition.

Taking Humira with other drugs

Your doctor may also prescribe other medications for you to use with Humira, if needed.

Depending on why you’re taking Humira, some medications you might take with Humira include:

Questions about taking Humira

Here are answers to some common questions about taking Humira.

  • What if I miss a dose of Humira? If you miss a dose of Humira, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then continue taking Humira doses at your regularly scheduled times. How many days late you can take a Humira dose depends on when your next dose is scheduled. So if it’s close to when your next dose is due, just skip the missed dose. If you’re unsure of when to take a missed dose of Humira, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Will I need to use Humira long term? You’ll likely need to take Humira long term. This is because most of the conditions Humira treats are long lasting. Talk with your doctor about how long you’ll need to take Humira.
  • Should I take Humira with food? You don’t have to. How well your body absorbs Humira doesn’t depend on whether you have a full or empty stomach.
  • How long does Humira take to work? Depending on the reason you’re taking Humira, it may take several months for the drug to work. For example, in studies, people with rheumatoid arthritis saw improvement in their condition after 6 months of treatment. And this improvement was maintained after 1 year when treatment was continued. You might notice Humira working sooner than this for your condition. Talk with your doctor to find out when you should expect to see a reduction in your symptoms.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Humira and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Humira affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Humira.

Does Humira cause weight gain or weight loss?

No, Humira doesn’t cause weight gain or weight loss. But if you get a serious infection during Humira treatment, you might lose weight. And serious infections are a possible side effect of this drug.

Also, new or worsening heart failure can cause a rapid increase in weight. Heart failure is a possible side effect of Humira.

If you have unexplained weight gain or weight loss when using Humira, tell your doctor. They can check to see what might be causing your weight change.

If you’re concerned about any other weight changes while you’re taking Humira, talk with your doctor. They can provide tips to help you manage a body weight that’s healthy for you.

Will I have hair loss with Humira?

Possibly. Hair loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in Humira’s studies. But there have been reports of hair loss in people taking Humira since the drug was approved.

If you notice you’re losing hair while you’re taking Humira, talk with your doctor.

Is Humira used for osteoarthritis or lupus?

No, Humira isn’t used for osteoarthritis or lupus.

Humira treats certain forms of arthritis caused by inflammation. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is caused by wear and tear on your joints. Osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis are different diseases. So they don’t respond to the same drugs.

One study showed that Humira wasn’t effective when given to people with osteoarthritis in their hand.

And as mentioned above, Humira isn’t used for lupus, either. In fact, in rare situations, Humira can cause lupus-like symptoms. These symptoms include:

  • chest discomfort or pain that doesn’t go away
  • shortness of breath
  • joint pain
  • rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight

If you’d like to know more about osteoarthritis or lupus treatment options, talk with your doctor.

What will happen if I stop taking Humira? Will I have withdrawal symptoms?

If you stop taking Humira, the symptoms of your condition may come back. But you won’t have withdrawal symptoms from the medication itself. (Withdrawal refers to symptoms that can happen if you stop taking a medication that your body is dependent on.)

If you need to stop taking Humira, your doctor will closely monitor you for symptoms of your condition. If your symptoms return, your doctor may recommend that you restart treatment with Humira. Or they may suggest another drug to manage your condition.

Is Humira an immunosuppressant?

Yes, Humira is an immunosuppressant drug.

It blocks the action of a protein made by your immune system called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is an important protein that helps your body fight off infections.

It’s thought that excessive amounts of TNF are responsible for causing inflammation that leads to many diseases. These diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis, both of which Humira treats.

But by blocking TNF, Humira lowers the activity of your immune system. And this can put you at risk for infections, including serious infections. This is one of the boxed warnings for Humira. (Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] about drug effects that may be dangerous.)

If you have more questions about Humira’s effect on your immune system, talk with your doctor.

Humira and Enbrel have similar uses, but they also have some differences. To see a side-by-side comparison of these two drugs, check out this article.

Read below to learn about Humira and other alternative drugs.

Humira vs. Remicade

Humira and Remicade both belong to a group of drugs called tumor necrosis factor blockers. Remicade contains the active drug infliximab, while Humira contains the active drug adalimumab.

You’ll receive Humira as an injection under your skin. And you can give the drug to yourself after your doctor shows you how to do so. But Remicade is given by healthcare professionals as an injection into your vein.

Both Humira and Remicade are used for the following conditions:

Remicade and Humira are also both used for rheumatoid arthritis. But Remicade must be taken together with methotrexate. Humira, on the other hand, can be taken either alone or together with methotrexate for this condition.

If you’d like more information about Humira versus Remicade, see this article. You can also talk with your doctor.

Humira vs. Stelara

Stelara is a biologic drug that’s used to treat:

  • moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
  • active psoriatic arthritis
  • moderate to severe Crohn’s disease
  • moderate to severe ulcerative colitis

For information about how Humira and Stelara compare with each other, see this article.

Humira vs. Cosentyx

Cosentyx is a biologic drug that’s used for certain different forms of arthritis including psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It’s also used to treat plaque psoriasis.

To view a breakdown of Humira and Cosentyx’s similarities and differences, see this comparison.

Humira vs. Entyvio

Entyvio is a biologic drug that’s used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Read this comparison to learn more about Humira versus Entyvio.

Humira vs. Rinvoq

Rinvoq is prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Check out this article for a detailed look at how Humira and Rinvoq are different and alike.

Humira vs. Cimzia

Like Humira, Cimzia belongs to a group of drugs called tumor necrosis factor blockers. It’s used to treat Crohn’s disease, plaque psoriasis, and certain types of arthritis.

To learn about Humira versus Cimzia, view this article.

Humira vs. Skyrizi

Skyrizi is a biologic drug that’s used for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

If you’d like to know about Humira and Skyrizi, see this article.

Humira vs. Xeljanz

Xeljanz is used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and ulcerative colitis. It’s also used to treat a certain type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

View this comparison for a summary of how Humira and Xeljanz are similar and unique.

Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering treatment with Humira include:

  • your overall health
  • any medical conditions you may have

Additionally, tell your doctor if you’re taking any medications. This is important to do because some medications can interfere with Humira.

These and other considerations to discuss with your doctor are described below.

Interactions

Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Humira, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take (including prescription and over-the-counter types). Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Humira.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Humira can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Humira. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of Humira.

Other interactions

You should not receive live vaccines while you’re taking Humira. (Live vaccines contain live strains of the infection that they’re meant to protect you from.) This is because getting a live vaccine while you’re using Humira increases your risk for infection.

It’s generally safe for you to get non-live vaccines while you’re using Humira. It’s not known whether infants exposed to Humira during pregnancy can safely receive live vaccines.

Examples of live vaccines include:

If you need to receive a vaccine, talk with your doctor first to make sure it’s safe for you. Before you start taking Humira, your doctor may recommend certain vaccinations if you’re missing any immunizations.

Boxed warnings

Humira has boxed warnings about risk of serious infections and cancer. These are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of serious infections. Taking Humira can increase your risk for getting a serious infection. This includes tuberculosis, fungal infections, and other rare infections. It may also include bacterial sepsis (a life threatening illness that can result from an infection).

Risk of cancer. Humira can also cause certain types of cancer. This includes lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system. These cancers have occurred more often in children and adolescents taking Humira than in adults.

For more information about these warnings, see the “What are Humira’s side effects?” section above.

Other warnings

Humira may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. There aren’t any contraindications to using Humira, except severe allergy to the drug. (Contraindications are reasons a medication shouldn’t be used.)

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Humira. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Hepatitis B reactivation. If you’re at risk for hepatitis B, your doctor will check you for a past hepatitis B infection before you start Humira. If you have hepatitis B virus in your body, but you don’t have an infection from it, Humira can activate the virus and cause an infection. (This is called reactivation.) If you have any signs or symptoms of hepatitis B, your doctor will have you stop taking Humira and they’ll treat the infection.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) reactivation. If you have latent TB, Humira can cause TB bacteria to flare up and lead to infection. (With latent TB, you have TB bacteria in your body, but you’re not ill from it.) Your doctor will check you for latent TB before you start treatment with Humira. Your doctor may also test you for TB during treatment with Humira. If you test positive for TB before starting Humira, your doctor will treat the TB before you begin taking Humira.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Humira or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Humira. People have reported rare situations of severe allergic reactions to Humira that can be life threatening. People with a latex allergy should also avoid certain forms of Humira. This is because the needle covers on certain strengths of prefilled syringes of Humira contain latex. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Nervous system problems. If you have a history of neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome, Humira can worsen symptoms of these diseases. In rare situations, Humira can cause new neurologic disorders in people who don’t have one. If you have new or worsened symptoms of a neurologic disorder, your doctor will have you stop taking Humira. But don’t stop taking Humira without first talking with your doctor. Watch for symptoms such as weakness in your arms or legs, dizziness, vision problems, numbness, or tingling.
  • Low blood cell counts. In rare situations, Humira can lead to pancytopenia. This is a blood cell disorder that causes a drop in your levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. With pancytopenia, some people may develop anemia or infections. If you have symptoms of infection, abnormal conditions of your blood such as bruising or bleeding, or a fever that won’t go away, tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor may have you stop taking Humira. But don’t stop taking it without first talking with your doctor.
  • Heart failure. Humira can cause new or worsening heart failure. If you have heart failure, your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks of prescribing Humira for you. They’ll also closely monitor you during treatment for worsening symptoms of heart failure.
  • Lupus-like symptoms. Taking Humira can make your body produce antibodies (immune system proteins) that work against your own body’s cells. And this can lead to lupus-like symptoms. Be sure to tell your doctor if you develop any lupus-like symptoms, including:
    • chest discomfort or pain that doesn’t go away
    • shortness of breath
    • joint pain
    • rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight
  • Liver problems. Humira belongs to a group of medications called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. TNF blockers, including Humira, may cause liver problems, including liver failure. Tell your doctor if you have any symptoms of liver problems while you’re taking Humira. These can include feeling very tired, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, or pain on the right side of your belly.

Use with alcohol

Some medications interact with alcohol. Humira isn’t one of them. But if you drink alcohol, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you to drink alcohol while taking Humira.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Adalimumab, the active ingredient in Humira, passes through the placenta to the developing fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy. But studies don’t show a link between Humira use and development problems in pregnancy.

It’s thought that having poorly managed rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease can negatively affect pregnancy. And keep in mind that Humira is used for those conditions.

Also, because of how Humira works, doctors will weigh the benefits and risks of giving certain vaccines to babies exposed to Humira during the last trimester of pregnancy. (For more information, see the “Other interactions” section above.)

If you’re pregnant or considering pregnancy, talk with your doctor before starting Humira.

Humira does pass into breast milk. But side effects from Humira in children who are breastfed haven’t been reported. Also, Humira doesn’t seem to decrease milk production in people who are breastfeeding.

If you’re breastfeeding, your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks of Humira treatment. Be sure and talk with your doctor if you’ll be breastfeeding while taking Humira.

Humira works by blocking the action of a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

TNF is a protein that’s made by your immune system. It helps your body fight off infections. But when TNF is overactive or too much of it is made, it can lead to long-lasting inflammatory diseases.

Examples of inflammatory diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa.

By blocking the action of TNF, Humira may help reduce inflammation in your body. This is the drug’s mechanism of action, and is how Humira can help slow down the worsening of long-lasting inflammatory diseases.

How long does Humira stay in your system?

Humira can stay in your system for about 8 to 10 weeks.

The drug’s half-life is 2 weeks. This means that half of a dose of Humira is eliminated from your body after 2 weeks. In general, a medication reaches very low levels after four to five half-lives have passed.

Don’t take more Humira than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Humira

If you’ve injected too much Humira, talk with your doctor immediately. They may want to monitor you for signs and symptoms of overdose.

You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have questions about taking Humira, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor can tell you about other treatments you can use for your condition. Here’s a list of articles that you might find helpful.

Some questions to ask your doctor about Humira may include:

  • How should I store Humira at home?
  • To help prevent illness, should I stop taking Humira during flu season?
  • Will Humira cure my condition?
  • How should I dispose of empty Humira pens?
  • While using Humira, should I get yearly flu vaccines?

You can learn more about some uses of Humira by subscribing to Healthline’s newsletters for these conditions:

You can also read people’s stories and find support from the Bezzy communities for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Q:

How should I store Humira if I’m traveling by airplane to a hot climate?

Anonymous

A:

It’s OK to store Humira at a maximum temperature of 77°F (25°C) for up to 14 days. This includes during activities such as traveling.

During these times, the drug should be protected from light. And you should return it to a refrigerated temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) as soon as you can.

It may be helpful to write down the date that you remove a Humira pen from the refrigerator. This way, you’ll know when it needs to be safely disposed of 14 days later.

Also, the manufacturer of Humira offers a travel case for its drug. You can learn more about the travel case here.

Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have more questions about how to store this drug.

Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCPAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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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.