Humira Side Effects
Summary
Humira is the commercial name for a drug known as Adalimumab. Its most common side effects include swelling itching, pain, headache, backache, irritation at the injection site, dizziness, rash, numbness, vision problems and nausea. The primary purpose of Humira is to relieve the symptoms of autoimmune disorders and diseases. It is also used to treat pain, swelling and arthritis. It is utilized in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, chronic plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondlytis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Common Humira Side Effects
Many of the most common side effects of Humira are mild. Most people do not experience any adverse symptoms, but those who are sensitive to the drug or any of its inactive ingredients may experience a level of discomfort.
If there are any irregularities during your treatment of Humira, tell your doctor immediately. Here are some of the most commonly reported Humira side effects:
- Swelling
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Bruising
- Pain
- Itching
- Backache
- Irritation at the injection site
Sometimes one or more of these symptoms are displayed when Humira is first injected into the body. It usually is a temporary reaction. However, if one or more of these symptoms continues to persist over time or is uncommonly severe, do not hesitate to contact a healthcare professional immediately. Failure to do so can result in permanent injury.
Serious Humira Side Effects
In some instances side effects can produce serious or damaging results. If you experience any of the following side effects, ask for medical assistance as soon as possible:
- Rash
- Rash on the cheeks
- Sudden joint pain
- Hives
- Swelling in the face, feet, ankles or other areas
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Vision problems
- Difficulty breathing
More side effects that may not be a sign of allergies but still require the assistance of a medical professional can include:
- Nausea
- Easy bruising
- Pale skin
- Red patches
- Dry skin
- Abrupt and abnormal bleeding
- Chills
- Sore Throat
- Tingling
- Blurred vision
If any of these side effects sound familiar to you, it may be indicative of a more serious underlying problem. Seek medical treatment if any of these symptoms are happening to you.
Longterm Use
There is a possibility that some side effects will induce serious, sometimes permanent damage upon a patient. Some of the most significant problems associated with long-term use of the drug are a higher chance of developing lymphoma, skin cancer, and other cancerous illnesses. People who do not receive a Humira injection have a lower chance of developing any type cancer. It can also cause a weakness to develop in the immune system, leaving it open to a greater chance of infection.
Other Medications
Humira is often used with other drugs without causing any negative effects in the patient. However, in some cases an adverse reaction may occur. To prevent this, it is important to inform your doctor of all the prescription and nonprescription medications and herbal supplements that you are taking. If you are allergic to rubber or latex, be sure to also inform your healthcare practitioner.
The pen with which the Humira is injected is lined with both rubber and latex and can cause allergic reaction in some. If you have ever suffered from heart disease, cancer or received therapy for psoriasis, also mention this to a healthcare professional.
Humira in the Elderly
Elderly are often prescribed Humira because they are frequent sufferers of arthritis. However, any medication that is a TNF inhibitor can significantly weaken the immune system in the elderly, and therefore they must be monitored closely.
A healthcare professional should be contacted to avoid serious damage if one or more of the following symptoms are experienced:
- numbness in any area of the body
- chest pain
- weakness in legs
- blurry vision
- difficulty drawing a breath
- pale skin tone
- dizziness
- red rashes
Humira and the Liver
In some cases, Humira is used to treat liver or spleen problems. But as with any synthetic medication, the liver usually rejects it to some extent. Therefore it is extremely important to compliment Humira intake with eight to ten glasses of water per day. Humira is best stored in the fridge, but is should never be frozen. It is important to avoid people who are sick when you are taking Humira because your immune system is weakened and more susceptible to infection.
Humira (Adalimumab), is distributed to a wide age range, from young children suffering from juvenile idiopathic arthritis to those dealing with much later stages of the disease. Because its function is to help treat autoimmune diseases, it may heighten the body’s chances of contracting an infection. Humira is used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and, sometimes, liver or spleen disorders. Proper use of Humira can significantly lessen the pain and discomfort brought about by conditions such as arthritis or Crohn’s Disease. Ask your doctor if Humira is the right medication for you.
