Last Updated: February 2025
Adalimumab, brand name Humira, is a medication commonly prescribed in the US to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis. In Europe, Humira is also used to treat patients with chronic aggressive progressive pulmonary and bone sarcoidosis.
The name Humira, which stands for “human monoclonal antibody in rheumatoid arthritis,” belongs to a drug class called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and is typically injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in the thigh or abdomen once a week or every other week depending on the condition being treated. TNF causes inflammation as part of the body’s natural immune response to foreign bodies.
An excess of TNF can cause inflammation that attacks normal, healthy body tissue, resulting in tissue damage and disease. Humira works by blocking TNF action to suppress this immune response.
Humira injections typically include 40 mg of the drug and are available as a prefilled syringe or automatic pen injector, which your healthcare provider will instruct you how to use. Humira is a biologic prescription drug, which means it is made from parts of a living organism.
Being properly informed about medication side effects is important, as accurate information can help one decide if they are comfortable taking a drug. This article is a comprehensive guide to Humira’s side effects and will help you determine whether this medication could benefit you.
Overview of Humira’s side effects
A side effect, also known as an adverse reaction, is an unwanted and unintended response to a medication. People react differently to medications, and reactions may be mild or severe. Mild side effects typically resolve over time without medical intervention, while severe or prolonged side effects may become fatal if left untreated.
Humira users may experience both mild and severe side effects. Humira’s common mild side effects are upper respiratory tract infections (symptoms include throat sores, noisy breathing due to airway congestion, and the common cold), headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach pain, and weakness. Serious adverse effects include allergic reactions, serious infections (e.g., tuberculosis), unusual bleeding, and nervous system problems. In rare cases, Humira can cause severe liver injury or worsen existing heart problems, causing cardiac failure.
Concerns about Humira’s side effects
Humira’s common side effects
The most common side effects of Humira are
- Injection site reactions, such as redness, itching, pain, numbness, swelling, rash, bruising, and bleeding
- Upper respiratory infections (e.g., the common cold, pharyngitis, and sinus infections), which include symptoms such as sore throat, hoarseness, runny nose, swollen glands in the neck, cough, and fever
- Headaches
- Skin reactions, such as rash, crusted skin, and sudden numbness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Back pain
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue, weakness, and drowsiness
- Hypersensitivities, or allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, itching, hives, trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, palpitations, and puffiness of the face, throat, mouth, or eyes
Humira’s severe and long-term side effects
Humira can also cause severe or long-term side effects that can be life-threatening. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Serious infections
- Reactivation of tuberculosis after previous infection; symptoms include cough, sudden weight loss, chest pain, fever, night sweats, and chills.
- Pneumocystis pneumonia; symptoms include cough, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and night sweats.
- Symptoms of cellulitis, including skin rash, redness, itching, and pain.
- Invasive fungal infections, such as aspergillosis; symptoms including throat sores, coughing up blood, fever, chills, chest pain, and headache.
- Signs of candidiasis, such as clear or bloody discharge, burning sensation during urination, and itch.
- Hepatitis B infection in people who have previously been infected, which manifests as muscle aches, severe fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, bladder pain, stomach pain, vomiting, and joint pain; Hepatitis B can also lead to severe liver injury.
- Cancer: since Humira inhibits TNF (which plays a major role in tumor growth), it places some at higher risk of developing certain types of cancers (most commonly lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancer but also melanomas and cancer of the breast, colon, prostate, and lung).
- Nervous system problems, such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, depression, numbness, rigidity or tingling in the limbs, and visual disturbances.
- Blood disorders, which may manifest as slow or abnormal healing of wounds, unusual bleeding or bruising, recurrent fever, pale skin, weakness, and fatigue.
- New or worsening psoriasis, such as palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, followed by plaque-type psoriasis and guttate psoriasis.
Humira patients infrequently report rare side effects. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of these signs and symptoms:
- Worsening or new congestive heart failure, which manifests as cough (that is worse at night), swelling (especially in the lower limbs and abdomen), wheezing, palpitations, and shortness of breath when lying down or doing simple activities
- Adalimumab-induced systemic lupus erythematosus, which has symptoms such as fever, malaise, unusual weight gain or loss, arthritis, muscle pain, and joint pain
- Lymphoma, which presents as swollen glands (commonly noticed in the neck or armpit), unusual bleeding or bruising, fatigue, and unexplained fever
- Cytopenia (including pancytopenia), which may include fatigue, weakness, abnormal vaginal bleeding, frequent infections, shortness of breath, poor concentration, and dizziness
- Elevated transaminases, which are typically detected by routine blood tests but in severe cases may include symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, stomach pain and swelling, and yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Multiple sclerosis, the symptoms of which include numbness in the hands and feet, fatigue, muscle spasms, muscle rigidity and weakness, vision problems, and difficulty walking
- Menstrual changes or problems, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal cramps, and periods that last longer than usual
Commonly asked questions about Humira
Why does Humira cause unusual weight gain?
Clinical studies have revealed that Humira triggers weight gain by changing the brain’s body-weight regulation. Additionally, people with autoimmune disorders often have little appetite due to pain and other difficult symptoms. TakingHumira minimizes these symptoms, increasing a user’s appetite and potentially causing unusual weight gain. If you are uncomfortable with the added pounds, follow a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly.
Can I drink alcohol when using Humira?
Humira’s manufacturer does not explicitly call for avoiding alcohol while taking this medication. However, although consuming alcohol in small quantities may not be harmful for some taking prescription drugs, it may worsen conditions for others. For those taking Humira to treat gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, alcohol may irritate the bowels, potentially causing flare-ups of pain, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, or other symptoms. Moreover, because liver problems have been reported in people taking Humira, it is best to avoid alcohol while on this drug, as alcohol consumption also increases the risk of serious liver damage.
Who shouldn’t use Humira?
Before starting Humira treatment, you should inform your doctor of your medical history, especially any severe conditions you have. If you have any of the following medical conditions or risk factors, you should avoid Humira or use it with caution.
- Allergic reactions to latex or rubber, as the needle cover of the Humira prefilled syringe contains rubber latex
- A personal or family history of cancer
- Recurrent serious infections
- Nervous system disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome, or signs of them, such as numbness or tingling in the limbs
- Heart problems
- Diabetes (Humira may worsen abnormal healing)
- Tuberculosis (or residency in an area with a high incidence of this infection)
- Hepatitis B infection
- Liver damage
- Residency in an area with a high incidence of fungal infections (e.g., histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis), as these infections can become severe in people taking Humira
- A condition (e.g., HIV infection) that makes you immunocompromised
Alternatives to Humira
Although Humira (adalimumab) is widely used across the US to treat a variety of autoimmune disorders, it is not for everyone. For those unable to use this medication, there are several alternatives to select from. Medication choice depends on various factors, including the specific condition being treated, the patient’s medical history, and individual responses to treatment. Here are some Humira alternatives commonly prescribed by doctors:
Additional FAQs about Humira side effects
Practical tips for coping with Humira side effects
Coping with side effects is challenging for most people because it requires lifestyle changes, regular communication with healthcare providers, and continual monitoring for worsening symptoms.
Here are a few tips to help you cope with Humira’s adverse effects:
- Avoid unpasteurized dairy products, raw eggs, and uncooked meat to protect yourself from food-poisoning infections.
- Stay hydrated and make healthy diet and lifestyle changes. Some exercises and physiotherapy can help mitigate muscle aches and unusual weight gain, and a diet high in fruits and vegetables can help maintain good health.
- Seek counseling if needed to manage any depression.
- Maintain continual dialogue with your healthcare provider and schedule frequent follow-up visits so you can be advised on coping with your specific side effects.
Humira drug interactions
During treatment with Humira, it is important to inform your doctor of all other substances you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, birth control pills, vitamins, and herbal supplements. This is because drug interactions can occur that affect how Humira works in the body. The following are a few medications that interact with Humira:
The importance of treatment adherence when taking Humira
Living with an autoimmune disorder can be difficult, especially given the high cost of prescription drugs. However, adhering to your Humira treatment plan will ensure symptom remission. Taking your medication regularly is important, as missing doses too often can cause symptoms to worsen.
If the high cost of Humira is causing you to skip doses, contact The Rx Advocates. We can reduce your out-of-pocket costs by helping you apply for the Humira patient assistance program, which offers far greater savings than coupons or other discounts. With this program, you are guaranteed monthly access to your prescription medication at a fraction of its retail cost, whether or not you have health insurance, so you never have to worry about running out. Contact us today to find out if you qualify!
Humira users’ experiences following discontinuation
Users’ experiences after discontinuing Humira vary widely depending on factors such as the duration of use, dosage, individual health status, and the reason for and method of stopping the drug. Changing or stopping any prescription drug must be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider. While withdrawal symptoms are unlikely when discontinuing Humira, abruptly stopping this medication can worsen your condition’s symptoms, such as joint pain and inflammation, stomach problems, or bone damage.
Here’s are two people’s experiences using Humira:
- I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and Humira is the best thing that ever happened to me. Before treatment, I could barely walk and was in debilitating, constant pain. Currently, I’m in remission, very active, and can do anything with no pain! My inflammation is completely gone!
- I started using this medication for occasional hidradenitis suppurativa flare-ups. A few months later, I developed a strange rash on my hands, so I stopped using the drug. Pustular psoriasis on my palms and soles followed. Now, my entire body is plagued with a rash. I have constant psoriasis, arthritis, and even high blood pressure. I wish I had done more research before using this drug.
Conclusion
Humira is indicated for the treatment of certain autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn’s disease. As with any drug, it comes with a risk of adverse reactions and long-term complications. Understanding how Humira affects your body can help you stay two steps ahead in preventing complications and decreasing your risk of serious side effects.
Humira is not for everyone and should be used with caution. Consult with your healthcare provider and schedule frequent follow-up visits to ensure your Humira treatment course is effective with as few obstacles as possible. Also, remember to keep your prescriptions up to date. If you are struggling to afford this drug, The Rx Advocates can help you apply for the Humira patient assistance program, which offers significant savings on your prescription drugs. Ready to get relief from your symptoms? Ask your doctor if Humira is right for you!
