What is Humira (Adalimumab) used for?

From the Guidelines

Humira (adalimumab) is primarily used to treat moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe psoriasis, adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and adult Crohn’s disease. According to the guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis 1, Humira is recommended for these indications with a dosing regimen of 40 mg every other week subcutaneously. The response to Humira is significant, with an ACR20 at week 12 of 58% 1.

Indications and Dosage

The medication is used to treat various autoimmune conditions, including:

• Moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis
• Moderate to severe psoriasis
• Adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Adult Crohn’s disease The typical dosing regimen for Humira is 40 mg every other week subcutaneously 1. However, dosing may vary based on the condition being treated and patient response.

Mechanism of Action and Side Effects

Humira works by blocking tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a protein that causes inflammation in the body 1. By inhibiting this protein, Humira reduces inflammation and associated symptoms. Patients should be aware that Humira suppresses the immune system, which can increase the risk of infections 1. Common side effects include injection site reactions, headache, and upper respiratory infections.

Recent Guidelines

Recent guidelines, such as the joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with biologics 1, provide recommendations for the use of Humira in treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These guidelines suggest that Humira can be used as monotherapy for adults with psoriasis, with a dosing range of 80 mg during week 1, followed by 40 mg at week 2, and then 40 mg every 2 weeks thereafter 1.

Patient Considerations

Before starting Humira, patients should undergo screening for tuberculosis and other infections 1. Patients should store Humira in the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before injection for comfort. Consideration should be given to dose escalation, an increase in frequency, or the addition of other modalities in partially responding patients 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1. 1 Rheumatoid Arthritis HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. HUMIRA can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
2. 2 Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older. HUMIRA can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate.
3. 3 Psoriatic Arthritis HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. HUMIRA can be used alone or in combination with non-biologic DMARDs.
4. 4 Ankylosing Spondylitis HUMIRA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. 1.5 Crohn’s Disease HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
5. 6 Ulcerative Colitis HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults and pediatric patients 5 years of age and older. Limitations of Use The effectiveness of HUMIRA has not been established in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to TNF blockers [see Clinical Studies (14.7,14.8)].
6. 7 Plaque Psoriasis HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate HUMIRA should only be administered to patients who will be closely monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a physician [see Warnings and Precautions (5)]. 1.8 Hidradenitis Suppurativa HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in patients 12 years of age and older.
7. 9 Uveitis HUMIRA is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.

Humira is used for the treatment of several conditions, including:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis: reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
• Crohn’s Disease: treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
• Ulcerative Colitis: treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults and pediatric patients 5 years of age and older.
• Plaque Psoriasis: treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
• Hidradenitis Suppurativa: treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in patients 12 years of age and older.
• Uveitis: treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older 2 2.

From the Research

Humira (Adalimumab) Uses

• Humira, also known as adalimumab, is a medication used to treat various chronic inflammatory conditions, including:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • Psoriatic arthritis 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • Ankylosing spondylitis 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • Crohn's disease 4, 5, 7
  • Psoriasis 5, 7
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis 5, 7

Mechanism of Action

• Adalimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases 3, 4, 7

Efficacy and Safety

• Adalimumab has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms, preventing disease progression, and inducing and maintaining remission in patients with various inflammatory conditions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
• The safety profile of adalimumab is consistent with the known information about the anti-TNF class, with common adverse events including infections, malignancies, and demyelination 5, 7