Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. Adalimumab may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital or clinic. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself or your child a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems.

Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, or hard. If you have psoriasis, do not inject into a raised, thick, red, or scaly skin patch or into skin lesions.

This medicine is available in 2 forms. You may use a pen or a prefilled syringe.

To use thepen or syringe:

  • First, gather the items you will need on a clean, flat surface using a cloth or towel in a well-lighted area.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Remove the carton with the syringe or pen from the refrigerator and place it on the cloth.
  • Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the syringe or pen to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm this medicine in any other way.
  • Do not remove the needle cover on the prefilled syringe or pen while allowing the medicine to reach room temperature. Only remove the cover right before use.
  • Check the liquid in the syringe or pen using the viewing window. It should be clear and colorless. If it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles floating in it, do not use the syringe or pen.
  • Check that the amount of liquid in the pen is the same or close to the fill line seen on the window. The fill line shows a full dose of the medicine. If the pen does not have the full amount of liquid, do not use it. Call your pharmacist.
  • If the liquid is clear, place the syringe or pen on a clean, flat surface. Do not shake the medicine.
  • Check the expiration date on the prefilled syringe or pen, and make sure the date has not passed. Do not use the medicine if the date has passed.
  • Choose an injection site on your body (eg, thigh or stomach area). Clean the injection site with a fresh alcohol wipe and let it dry.
  • Remove the cap or needle cover when you are ready to inject. Inject the full amount of medicine within a few minutes after the cap or cover has been removed.
  • You might have a small amount of blood or liquid at the injection site. Press and hold a dry, clean cotton ball on the injection site for 10 seconds, but do not rub it.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage forms (pen or prefilled syringe):
    • For Crohn's disease:
      • Adults and children 6 years of age and older weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—At first (week 0), 160 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin in divided doses. This may be given as four shots in 1 day or as two shots per day for 2 days. Then 2 weeks later, a dose of 80 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 40 mg is given at week 4 and every other week thereafter.
      • Children 6 years of age and older weighing 17 kg and less than 40 kg—At first (week 0), 80 mg injected under the skin in divided doses. This may be given as two shots in 1 day. Then 2 weeks later, a dose of 40 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 20 mg is given at week 4 and every other week thereafter.
      • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For hidradenitis suppurativa:
      • Adults—At first (week 0), 160 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin in divided doses. This may be given as four shots in 1 day or as two shots per day for 2 days. Then 2 weeks later, a dose of 80 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week is given starting at week 4.
      • Children 12 years of age and older weighing 60 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is based on body weight and must be given by your doctor. At first (week 0), 160 mg injected under the skin in divided doses. This may be given as four shots in 1 day or as two shots per day for 2 days. Then 2 weeks later, a dose of 80 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week is given starting at week 4.
      • Children 12 years of age and older weighing 30 kg to 59 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be given by your doctor. At first (Day 1), 80 mg injected under the skin, then 40 mg on Day 8. A maintenance dose of 40 mg is given every other week.
      • Children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 30 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For juvenile idiopathic arthritis:
      • Children 2 to 17 years of age weighing 30 kilograms (kg) or more—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin every other week.
      • Children 2 to 17 years of age weighing 15 to less than 30 kg—20 mg injected under the skin every other week.
      • Children 2 to 17 years of age weighing 10 to less than 15 kg—10 mg injected under the skin every other week.
      • Children younger than 2 years of age or weighing less than 10 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For plaque psoriasis:
      • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin, then 40 mg 1 week after the initial dose and every other week thereafter.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis:
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin every other week. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are not taking methotrexate may use 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For ulcerative colitis:
      • Adults—At first (week 0), 160 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin in divided doses. This may be given as four shots in 1 day or as two shots per day for 2 days. Then 2 weeks later, a dose of 80 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 40 mg is given at week 4 and every other week thereafter.
      • Children 5 years of age and older weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—At first (Day 1), 160 mg injected under the skin as a single dose in 1 day or in divided doses. This may be given as four shots in 1 day or as two shots per day for 2 days. Then 80 mg is given on Day 8 and Day 15. A maintenance dose of 80 mg every other week or 40 mg every week is given starting at week 4 (Day 29).
      • Children 5 years of age and older weighing 20 to less than 40 kg—At first (Day 1), 80 mg injected under the skin, then 40 mg on Day 8 and Day 15. A maintenance dose of 40 mg every other week or 20 mg every week is given starting at week 4 (Day 29).
      • Children younger than 5 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For uveitis:
      • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin, then 40 mg 1 week after the initial dose and every other week thereafter.
      • Children 2 to 17 years of age weighing 30 kilograms (kg) or more—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin every other week.
      • Children 2 to 17 years of age weighing 15 to less than 30 kg—20 mg injected under the skin every other week.
      • Children 2 to 17 years of age weighing 10 to less than 15 kg—10 mg injected under the skin every other week.
      • Children younger than 2 years of age or weighing less than 10 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep the medicine in its original carton to protect from light. Do not use it if it has been frozen or thawed. If traveling, you may store this medicine at room temperature for up to 14 days. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days. Do not store this medicine in extreme heat or cold temperatures.

Throw away used syringes or pens in a hard, closed container that where the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

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Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

See also

  1. Adalimumab-Aaty (Subcutaneous Route)