Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, adalimumab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking adalimumab:
More common
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches and pains
- pain or tenderness around the eyes or cheekbones
- rapid and sometimes shallow breathing
- shivering
- red, scaling, or crusted skin
- sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Ask Your Doctor About Citrate
Citric acid is a buffer that helps to keep injectable medicationsparticularly proteins such as Humirastable over several months of storage. Citrate buffers, however, often cause significant pain for a few minutes after the injection. If Humira injection pain is too much to bear, ask your doctor about citrate-free Humira as an alternative.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Humira
Humira can cause serious side effects, including:
See What is the most important information I should know about Humira?
- Serious Infections. Your doctor will examine you for TB and perform a test to see if you have TB. If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated with medicine for TB before you begin treatment with Humira and during treatment with Humira. Even if your TB test is negative your doctor should carefully monitor you for TB infections while you are taking Humira. People who had a negative TB skin test before receiving Humira have developed active TB. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms while taking or after taking Humira:
- cough that does not go away
- low grade fever
- weight loss
- loss of body fat and muscle
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Methotrexate Can Cause Hair Loss
Methotrexate is the most commonly prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for rheumatoid arthritis. It causes hair loss in about 1% to 3% of patients.
Methotrexate works by stopping the cells that cause inflammation from growing and, as a result, can stop hair follicles from growing too.
A folic acid supplement, commonly co-prescribed with methotrexate, can help keep your hair healthy, but does not encourage hair growth.
Has Anyone Had Hair Loss While Taking Humira
- Asked
- 4 Feb 2011 by thjones
- humira, rheumatoid arthritis
I’ve been on Humira for about 4 months now with remarkable success. I have no pain or swelling. I’ve been sick more than usual this winter, but I’m not sure that’s due to the drug The only problem is severe hair loss
I checked, and hair loss is not listed as a side effect of this medication.
Do contact your Dr. on Monday and let him / her know what you are experiencing.
List of possible side effects for future refernce:
dwrn86
I have been on Humira for about 2 1/2 months, it has been amazing i’m 80% cleared of psoriasis and 75% of pain, most of my pain is my sacroiliac joints. I haven’t had any hair loss , just alittle nausea and bruising, has anyone heard of anyone getting leukemia or lymphoma?
+0Paul Izzy
God, please no more hair loss. This is the first I have heard of the bruising from Humira as I was putting the bruising on the Plavix.
+1
I haven’t had any bruising at all
Katrinka65
My husband gives me my Humira shot every other week. Most of the time, things go okay with just a little burning and aching around the injection site. But about once every two months, I guess he hits a vein or something… and WOW… it hurts, and I wear a black bruise on my thigh the size of my hand for a few weeks.
MannyKb
You should actually do that every time you visit the doctor.
hrjacobson+2thjonesKatrinka65Katrinka65MichelleMary+2gingerhead+0djsolomb+0Wish anon+1MDAV+0Cotti+0QuinRR+0knobis+0+0
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What Does Humira Cost
Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. To find current prices for Humira pens and injections in your area, visit GoodRx.com.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Humira manufacturers website to see if it has support options. Youll also be able to check if your insurance plan covers Humira. And if youd like to know the drugs cost without insurance coverage, call 800-4HUMIRA to speak with a Humira nurse ambassador.
The Effect Of Hair Loss On Those With Psoriasis
Hair loss can have negative physical, emotional, and mental impacts on those with psoriasis. The loss may be accompanied by worry or lowered self-esteem. If I keep losing hair, Im afraid that I will need a wig, one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. Another posted, I love the wonderful stares I get, like Im contagious. And the fact that my hair is thinning is just killing me.
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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 is an important protein that helps your body fight off infections.
Its 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 for Humira.
If you have more questions about Humiras 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.
What Should I Know About 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.
Youll 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 youd like more information about Humira versus Remicade, talk with your doctor.
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Regularly Switch The Injection Site
Humiras most common side effects are injection site reactions. The easiest way to control injection site reactions is to change up the injection site with each injection. Humira is injected subcutaneously once every two weeks in the abdomen or thigh, so consider rotating the injection between each thigh and the abdomen. Avoid giving the injection into skin that is tender, irritated, red, swollen, bruised, or itchy.
You might also reduce injection site reactions by removing the pre-filled syringe or pen injector from the refrigerator before the injection. Humira can be in a room temperature environment for up to 30 minutes prior to injection. Make sure, however, it is not exposed to sunlight. Do not try to warm the medication in any other way.
Can Psoriasis Itself Cause Hair Loss
Psoriasis scalp psoriasis, in particular can lead to an uncomfortable dry, itchy, flaky, and irritated scalp. Members may find themselves scratching or picking endlessly at their lesions and scales. This picking can damage your hair follicles and lead to hair loss. Psoriasis-related inflammation on your scalp can also lead to hair loss if it, too, damages your hair follicles.
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How Does Humira Work In Treating Crohns Disease
Humira is an injectable medication that belongs to a group of medications called biologics.
Biologic drugs like Humira help reduce inflammation and manage symptoms of Crohns by blocking the inflammatory reactions in your body. This can help ease Crohns symptoms and assist with disease remission.
Humira may be prescribed for you as the first-choice treatment to manage moderate to severe Crohns. Or the drug may be considered if other treatment options havent worked for you.
You and your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks of Humira and whether its a good option for you.
Humira can have some serious side effects. In most cases, these are rare. Some potential side effects of Humira include:
- redness, pain, swelling, or itching at the injection site
- high blood pressure
- serious allergic reaction
This is just a partial list of Humira side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a full list of side effects, precautions, and warnings.
If you experience bothersome side effects from Humira, be sure to talk with your doctor.
If you have a serious allergic reaction while taking Humira, call 911 right away or have someone take you to the nearest emergency medical center.
Humira may not be right for everyone and can cause serious side effects.
Your risk for side effects is higher if:
- youre prone to infections
- you have a weakened immune system
- you have other serious health conditions, such as a heart condition, impaired immune system, organ transplant, or liver problems
Humira & Weight Gain: A Common Reaction
Humira is a biologic, immunosuppressant medication sold and marketed by the pharmaceutical company AbbVie Inc. More specifically, Humira functions as a TNF inhibitor whereby it binds to and blocks the physiologic effect of the proinflammatory cytokine known as TNF-alpha. Blockade of inflammation induced by TNF-alpha makes Humira useful for the treatment of many autoimmune conditions, including: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, chronic psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Through is suppression of TNF-alpha, many Humira users find that the medication effectively manages symptoms of their autoimmune conditions. That said, because Humira substantially modulates immune function and other aspects of physiology, many individuals experience side effects. A side effect that many prospective Humira users are concerned with and/or may experience is weight gain.
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Is Hair Loss One Of Humiras Side Effects
Its not likely. Hair loss wasnt a side effect seen during clinical trials of Humira.
There have been reports of hair loss in people taking Humira since the drug was approved. But its unclear how often this has occurred or whether Humira was the cause.
If you have questions or concerns about hair loss while using Humira, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to treat this side effect. They may have you stop taking Humira and try another medication for your condition.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Humira may cause.
Ra Medications Can Also Cause Hair Loss
The most common types of medication used to treat RA are disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs . These medications control RA by suppressing your immune system.
Biologics are another class of drugs used to treat RA. They reduce inflammation caused by your immune system by blocking certain cells and the proteins they make.
Some DMARDs can cause hair loss. Biologics can also cause your hair to thin, although this side effect is rare.
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Side Effects After First Dose Of Humira
Its possible to have side effects after your first dose of Humira, such as injection site reactions. These reactions may include itching, pain, or swelling in the area of your Humira injection. Its also possible to experience other side effects, including serious side effects, after your first dose.
Depending on the condition youre taking Humira to treat, you may take the drug every week or every other week. Its possible to experience side effects after these other doses, as well.
If you have questions about what to expect after your first dose of Humira, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Why Arthritis Medications Can Cause Hair Loss
The primary group of medications that may cause hair loss would be DMARDs , particularly methotrexate, says San Francisco rheumatologist Nancy Carteron, MD, who is part of the clinical faculty at the University of California, San Francisco .
The way these DMARDs work can put hair cells in the line of fire. In order to control arthritis, we use medications that limit the growth rate of hyper-active immune cells, which arise from the bone marrow. Apart from bone marrow, hair is the fastest-growing tissue in the body, says Dr. Blazer. As one can imagine, using a strategy that limits the growth of fast-replicating tissues may also influence the hair.
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Tell Your Doctor About All Your Medical Conditions And Medications
Because of the risk of serious side effects, you should tell your doctor about:
- Active or previous infections
- A history of cancer, nervous system disorders , or heart failure
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Any medications or dietary supplements you may be taking, including over-the-counter medications
- Recent or forthcoming vaccinations
- Numbness, tingling, vision problems, or muscle weakness
- Rubber or latex allergies
When taking Humira, inform your doctor immediately if you fall ill or get pregnant. Do not start taking any drug or dietary supplement until talking to your doctor first.
Can Using Humira Cause Weight Gain Or Weight Loss
Neither weight gain nor weight loss were reported as side effects in people taking Humira in clinical trials.
But unintended weight loss may be a symptom of other side effects of Humira, such as an infection. And sudden weight gain may be a symptom of heart failure, which is a rare but serious side effect of taking Humira.
If youre concerned about your weight while taking Humira, talk with your doctor. They can discuss ways to help maintain a weight thats healthy for you. If you notice unintended, sudden changes in your weight, call your doctor. This may be a symptom of more serious side effects of Humira.
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