From the FDA Drug Label
The most common side effects of HUMIRA include: injection site reactions: redness, rash, swelling, itching, or bruising. These symptoms usually will go away within a few days. Call your doctor right away if you have pain, redness or swelling around the injection site that does not go away within a few days or gets worse.
The local side effects of Humira (adalimumab) injections include:
- Redness
- Rash
- Swelling
- Itching
- Bruising at the injection site. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days, but patients should contact their doctor if they persist or worsen 1.
From the Research
Humira (adalimumab) injections commonly cause local side effects at the injection site, including redness, swelling, bruising, pain, and itching, which can be minimized by proper injection techniques and patient education 2. The most frequent reactions include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Itching These reactions typically occur within the first hour after injection and usually resolve within 3-5 days without treatment. Some patients may develop a rash or hardened area at the injection site.
Minimizing Local Side Effects
To minimize these side effects, it is recommended to:
- Allow Humira to warm to room temperature before injecting (never heat it)
- Rotate injection sites (thigh, abdomen, upper arm)
- Avoid injecting into areas that are bruised, red, or hard
- Apply ice to the area before and after injection to help reduce discomfort These local reactions occur because Humira is a biologic medication that triggers an immune response when introduced into the body.
Monitoring for Severe Reactions
If you experience severe reactions like significant pain, spreading redness, or signs of infection (increasing warmth, pus), contact your healthcare provider promptly as these could indicate more serious complications 3. The incidence of injection site reactions with adalimumab has been reported to be around 0.5-40% in different studies, with the most common reactions being pain, irritation, and erythema 4. It is essential to note that the new citrate-free formulation of Humira introduced in 2016 has been associated with a decrease in injection site reactions 2. Overall, while local side effects are common with Humira injections, they are generally mild to moderate and can be managed with proper techniques and patient education.