Humira

Pronunciation: ad-a-LIM-yoo-mab.

Generic name
adalimumab
Drug class
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitor (biologic, monoclonal antibody)
Form
Injection (pre-filled pen or pre-filled syringe), 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Legal status
Prescription-only

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Humira (5) · Full directory

What adalimumab is and how it works

Humira is a prescription-only biologic medicine that reduces inflammation by blocking a substance called TNF-alpha. It is given by injection under the skin. (1)

Take Humira exactly as your prescriber directs. Your prescriber will check you for tuberculosis and other infections before you start, and will monitor you closely throughout treatment because of real risks of serious infection and, rarely, certain cancers.

Mechanism of action: how adalimumab works

Adalimumab is a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity and specificity to soluble and membrane-bound TNF-alpha, blocking its interaction with cell-surface TNF receptors and reducing inflammation. (1)

What adalimumab is used for

Rheumatoid arthritis and other joint conditions

Used for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in adults, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (age 2 and older), psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. (1)

Inflammatory bowel disease

Used for Crohn's disease (adults and children age 6 and older) and ulcerative colitis (adults and children age 5 and older). (1)

Skin and eye conditions

Used for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (age 12 and older), and non-infectious uveitis (inflammation inside the eye, age 2 and older). (1)

Before taking adalimumab

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not start Humira if you have a serious active infection, including localised infections, until your prescriber confirms it is safe. (all countries) (1)
  • Do not take Humira if you have had a serious allergic reaction to adalimumab or any of its ingredients. (all countries) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any history of tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or recurring infections.
  • Any history of cancer, including lymphoma.
  • Any nervous system condition such as multiple sclerosis.
  • Any heart failure.
  • Whether you are due for any vaccinations -- live vaccines should be avoided while on Humira.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1)

How to take adalimumab

  • Inject under the skin (thigh or abdomen) at the dose and frequency your prescriber sets, often every other week for adults with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Rotate injection sites and never inject into skin that is bruised, red, hard, or affected by psoriasis.
  • Allow a refrigerated pen or syringe to warm at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before injecting, without removing the cap.
  • Do not stop or change your dose on your own -- always follow your prescriber's guidance, since your regimen depends on your specific condition and response.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

Contact your prescriber or clinic for specific guidance if you miss a dose, since your exact injection schedule is individually set.

Overdose

Seek prompt medical advice if you think you have received too much Humira or if you develop signs of a serious infection or allergic reaction. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Upper respiratory infections and sinus infections.

What to notice: Upper respiratory infections and sinus infections.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Injection site reactions (redness, itching, swelling).

What to notice: Injection site reactions (redness, itching, swelling).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Headache.

What to notice: Headache.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Rash.

What to notice: Rash.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Signs of a serious infection, including tuberculosis — boxed_warning

Symptoms: Fever, night sweats, weight loss, persistent cough, feeling very unwell, or a wound or area of skin that will not heal.

Action: Contact your prescriber promptly. Your prescriber will screen you for TB before starting Humira and will monitor you for infection throughout treatment; treatment will be stopped by your prescriber if a serious infection develops. (1)

Signs suggestive of lymphoma or other cancer — boxed_warning

Symptoms: Unexplained swollen glands, unusual lumps, unexplained weight loss, or persistent fatigue.

Action: Tell your prescriber promptly -- rare cases of lymphoma and other cancers, including a rare, often fatal blood cancer mostly reported in young people with inflammatory bowel disease on combination treatment, have occurred with this class of medicine. (1)

Signs of a serious allergic reaction — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. (1)

New or worsening nervous system symptoms — high caution

Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, vision changes, or weakness.

Action: Contact your prescriber -- TNF blockers have rarely been linked to new or worsening nervous system conditions. (1)

Interactions

  • Do not combine with abatacept or anakinra -- this increases the risk of serious infection. (1)
  • Avoid live vaccines while taking Humira -- tell any vaccination provider that you are on this medicine. (1)
  • Humira can affect blood levels of certain other medicines processed by the liver's CYP450 enzyme system, such as warfarin, cyclosporine, and theophylline -- your prescriber may need to monitor these levels more closely. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Adalimumab crosses the placenta increasingly during the third trimester. Registry data have not shown a clear increase in major birth defects compared with the general population. Continue only if your prescriber determines the benefits outweigh the risks for your specific situation. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

Available data suggest low transfer into breast milk and low absorption by the infant, since adalimumab is a large protein broken down in the infant's digestive system. Discuss with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Approved for certain conditions in children from age 2 (juvenile idiopathic arthritis, uveitis), age 5 (ulcerative colitis), age 6 (Crohn's disease), or age 12 (hidradenitis suppurativa), depending on the condition. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the source reviewed, but older adults may have a higher background risk of serious infection and should be monitored accordingly. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic_impairment

Not specifically studied in the source reviewed; monitor liver function as part of routine care. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Renal_impairment

Not specifically studied in the source reviewed for dose adjustment. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Tuberculosis screening (latent and active)
  • Hepatitis B testing
  • Baseline general health assessment

During treatment

  • Ongoing monitoring for signs of infection.
  • Watching for signs of cancer, including lymphoma.
  • Periodic liver function testing.
  • Reviewing vaccination status -- avoid live vaccines.
(1)

Storage

Refrigerate at 36-46°F (2-8°C). May be kept at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before injecting -- do not remove the cap while it warms. Do not freeze. Protect from light.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis (adult)

Dose summary: 40 mg subcutaneously every other week; may be increased in frequency to weekly in some patients not on methotrexate, per clinician judgement. Dosing for other indications and in children is individualised by weight and diagnosis.

Renal context: Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Not specifically studied for dose adjustment in the source reviewed; periodic liver function monitoring is part of routine care.

Overdose note

Doses up to 10 mg/kg have been administered in clinical trials without dose-limiting toxicity reported in the source reviewed; manage any suspected overdose with clinical monitoring for infection and hypersensitivity. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is Humira (adalimumab) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes, it is approved and available in all of these regions, alongside various approved biosimilar versions in most of them. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Why do I need a TB test before starting Humira?

Humira suppresses part of the immune system that normally helps contain tuberculosis infection, including old, inactive (latent) infections. Testing beforehand and treating any latent TB first reduces the risk of it becoming active during treatment. (1)

Can I get vaccinated while taking Humira?

Live vaccines should be avoided while you are being treated with Humira, because it suppresses part of your immune response and can make a live vaccine less safe or less effective. Tell your clinician about any vaccinations you are considering, including for children who may be starting Humira, and discuss timing around your treatment. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of adalimumab?

Adalimumab is a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity and specificity to soluble and membrane-bound TNF-alpha, blocking its interaction with cell-surface TNF receptors and reducing inflammation. (1)

What is the generic name of Humira?

The generic name is adalimumab. (1)

What class of drug is adalimumab?

Humira is classed as: Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitor (biologic, monoclonal antibody). (1)

References

  1. HUMIRA (adalimumab) injection -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, AbbVie Inc. · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Humira 40 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- AbbVie Ltd · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Humira European Public Assessment Report (EPAR)European Medicines Agency (EMA) · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. HUMIRA (adalimumab injection) Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. HUMIRA adalimumab -- ARTG registrationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. Humira New Zealand Data SheetMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient adalimumab names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • AMJEVITA80 mg/.8mL, 40 mg/.4mL, 40 mg/.8mL, 20 mg/.2mL, 20 mg/.4mL, 10 mg/.2mL · amgen usa inc.
  • HYRIMOZ40 mg/.4mL, 80 mg/.8mL, 10 mg/.1mL, 20 mg/.2mL, 40 mg/.8mL · sandoz inc
  • Hadlima40 mg/.4mL, 40 mg/.8mL · organon llc
  • YUSIMRY40 mg/.8mL · coherus biosciences inc
  • Adalimumab-bwwd40 mg/.4mL · cordavis limited

United Kingdom

  • Humira (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 40 mg/0.4 mL, 80 mg/0.8 mL · AbbVie Ltd

Canada

  • HUMIRA

Australia

  • Humira (5)TGA ARTG registered 2012-08-28 confirmed · 40 mg/0.4 mL · AbbVie Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • Humira (6)Medsafe approved confirmed · 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg · AbbVie Limited
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Humira (3)

This page provides general reference information about Humira (adalimumab) and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. All dosing and treatment decisions should be made with your prescriber.

Related medicines

Related conditions