Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under your skin, usually on the stomach or upper thighs. You or your caregiver may be trained to prepare and inject this medicine at home. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

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 a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, red, bruised, hard, or have scars or stretch marks.

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

This medicine is available in two forms: a vial (glass container) or a prefilled syringe. The prefilled syringe is the dosage form you can use at home.

The needle shield inside the cap of the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before using this medicine.

To use the prefilled syringe:

  • Gather the items you will need on a clean, flat surface using a cloth or towel in a well-lighted area.
  • Remove the carton with the syringe from the refrigerator and place it on the clean cloth.
  • Allow 30 minutes for the syringe to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm this medicine in any other way.
  • Check the liquid in the prefilled syringe. It should be colorless or slightly yellow. Do not use the medicine if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab, and do not touch the area until you are ready for injection.
  • Remove the needle cover when you are ready to inject.
  • Hold the syringe with one hand between the thumb and index fingers. Do not touch the needle or let it touch any surface.
  • Use your free hand to pinch and hold the skin at the injection site.
  • Inject the medicine in a dart-like motion into the pinched skin at a 45-degree angle.
  • Use your thumb to push the plunger and inject the full dose of the medicine. Pull the needle out of the skin.
  • If you need to use more than 1 dose of this medicine, inject the second dose at a different site in your stomach or upper thighs.

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 form (prefilled syringe):
    • For ankylosing spondylitis:
      • Adults—At first, 400 milligrams (mg) given as 2 doses of 200 mg injected under the skin. This dose is repeated after 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Your doctor may continue the dose as 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For Crohn disease:
      • Adults—At first, 400 milligrams (mg) given as 2 doses of 200 mg injected under the skin. This dose is repeated after 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Your doctor may continue the dose as 400 mg every 4 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For plaque psoriasis:
      • Adults—At first, 400 milligrams (mg) given as 2 doses of 200 mg injected under the skin every other week. Some patients may benefit from receiving this dose after 2 weeks and 4 weeks, then 200 mg every other week.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For psoriatic arthritis:
      • Adults—At first, 400 milligrams (mg) given as 2 doses of 200 mg injected under the skin. This dose is repeated after 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Your doctor may continue the dose as 200 mg every other week or 400 mg every 4 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For rheumatoid arthritis:
      • Adults—At first, 400 milligrams (mg) given as 2 doses of 200 mg injected under the skin. This dose is repeated after 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Your doctor may continue the dose as 200 mg every other week or 400 mg every 4 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

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.

Protect the medicine from direct light. Keep your medicine in its original package until you are ready to use it. You may also store the prefilled syringe at room temperature for up to 7 days. Do not put it back in the refrigerator once stored at room temperature. Throw away any unused medicine after 7 days.

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