Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is given as a shot under your skin in front of your thighs or stomach. It 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 this medicine.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these 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, hard, or scaly, or areas with scars or stretch marks.

Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the medicine to warm up to room temperature. Do not remove the needle cover while allowing the medicine to reach to room temperature. Remove it before use.

Check the liquid in the syringe. It should be clear and colorless to pale brown. Do not use the syringe if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in 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 (prefilled syringe or autoinjector):
    • For Crohn's disease:
      • Adults and children 6 years of age and older weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—At first (Day 1), 160 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin. This may be given as four shots in 1 day or as two shots per day for 2 days. Then 2 weeks later (Day 15), a dose of 80 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 40 mg is given at week 4 (Day 29) and every other week thereafter.
      • Children 6 years of age weighing 17 to less than 40 kg—At first (Day 1), 80 mg injected under the skin. Then 2 weeks later (Day 15), a dose of 40 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 20 mg is given at week 4 (Day 29) 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 (Day 1), 160 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin. This may be given as four shots in 1 day or as two shots per day for 2 days. Then 2 weeks later (Day 15), a dose of 80 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 40 mg is given every week or 80 mg every other week at week 4 (Day 29).
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For juvenile idiopathic arthritis:
      • Children 2 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
        • Weighing 30 kilograms (kg) or more—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin every other week.
        • Weighing 15 to less than 30 kg—20 mg injected under the skin every other week.
        • 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 or 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—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis:
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin every other week. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For ulcerative colitis:
      • Adults—At first (Day 1), 160 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin. This may be given as four shots in 1 day or as two shots per day for 2 days. Then 2 weeks later (Day 15), a dose of 80 mg is given. A maintenance dose of 40 mg is given at week 4 (Day 29) and every other week thereafter.
      • Children—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 it in its original container. Protect from light. Do not use it if it has been frozen or thawed. If needed (eg, 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 the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

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