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Side Effects Of Humira For Ulcerative Colitis

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Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Humira injection | Ulcerative Colitis

Along with its needed effects, adalimumab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking adalimumab:

More common

  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle aches and pains
  • pain or tenderness around the eyes or cheekbones
  • rapid and sometimes shallow breathing
  • red, scaling, or crusted skin
  • sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
  • unusual bleeding or bruising

Will I Need To Use This Drug Long Term

Remicade is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Remicade is safe and effective for you, youll likely take it long term.

You may wonder how Remicade compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Remicade and Humira are alike and different.

The Link Between Psoriasis And The Immune System

No one ever really considered that the immune system had any real role in psoriasis, or its painful outbreaks. Not until a new drug Cyclosporine was offered to arthritis patients. What happened next was both surprising and unexpected. Patients who were prescribed the immune suppressing drug for their arthritis symptoms , began to report a decrease in their skin attacks. Without warning, researchers were faced with the theory that the immune system could be causing psoriasis.

It didnt take long before researchers began to figure out the mystery of psoriasis in regards to how the immune system can impact it.

The Role of the Immune System on the Skin

The immune system is responsible for standing guard and attacking any invaders which penetrate the body. Since the skins main job is to act as the bodys first defense mechanism against invasion, it is no wonder that the immune system works in close connection with each layer of the skin. Heres how it all works:

1. Immune cells patrol the entire body for dangers. Side Effects of Humira for Ulcerative Colitis

2. When an invader is detected, these immune send out chemical and nervous system messages to the immune system to ready itself for an attack

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What Is A Biologic Drug

  • A biologic drug is a product that is produced from living organisms or contain components of living organisms.
  • Biologic drugs include a wide variety of products derived from human, animal, or microorganisms by using biotechnology.
  • Types of biologic drugs include vaccines, blood, blood components, cells, allergens, genes, tissues, and recombinant proteins.
  • Biologic products may contain proteins that control the action of other proteins and cellular processes, genes that control production of vital proteins, modified human hormones, or cells that produce substances that suppress or activate components of the immune system.
  • Biologic drugs are sometimes referred to as biologic response modifiers because they change the manner of operation of natural biologic intracellular and cellular actions.

Can I Take Humira If Im Pregnant Or Breastfeeding

Common and Rare Side Effects for Humira Subcutaneous

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Make sure any doctor caring for your newborn baby knows if you used adalimumab while you were pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

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Remember Tell Your Doctor Right Away If You Have An Infection Or Symptoms Of An Infection Including:

  • Fever, sweats, or chills
  • Warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Urinating more often than normal
  • Feeling very tired

HUMIRA is given by injection under the skin.

This is the most important information to know about HUMIRA. For more information, talk to your health care provider.

Uses

HUMIRA is a prescription medicine used:

  • To reduce the signs and symptoms of:
  • Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your ability to perform daily activities.
  • Moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children 2 years of age and older. HUMIRA can be used alone or with methotrexate.
  • Psoriatic arthritis in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your ability to perform daily activities.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis in adults.
  • Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in people 12 years and older.
  • To treat moderate to severe Crohns disease in adults and children 6 years of age and older.
  • To treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in adults and children 5 years of age and older. It is not known if HUMIRA is effective in people who stopped responding to or could not tolerate anti-TNF medicines.
  • US-HUM-210186

    Reference: 1. HUMIRA Injection . North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.

    Does Humira Cause Weight Gain Or Weight Loss

    No, Humira doesnt cause weight gain or weight loss. But if you get a serious infection during Humira treatment, you might lose weight. And serious infections are a possible side effect of this drug.

    Also, new or worsening heart failure can cause a rapid increase in weight. Heart failure is a possible side effect of Humira.

    If you have unexplained weight gain or weight loss when using Humira, tell your doctor. They can check to see what might be causing your weight change.

    If youre concerned about any other weight changes while youre taking Humira, talk with your doctor. They can provide tips to help you manage a body weight thats healthy for you.

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    Adalimumab Injection Products Are Used Alone Or With Other Medications To Relieve The Symptoms Of Certain Autoimmune Disorders Including The Following:

    • rheumatoid arthritis in adults,
    • juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children 2 years of age and older,
    • Crohn’s disease that has not improved when treated with other medications in adults and children 6 years of age and older,
    • ulcerative colitis when other medications and treatments did not help or could not be tolerated in adults and children 5 years of age and older,
    • ankylosing spondylitis in adults,
    • psoriatic arthritis in adults,
    • hidradenitis suppurativa in adults and children 12 years of age and older,
    • uveitis in adults and children 2 years of age and older,
    • chronic plaque psoriasis in adults.

    Adalimumab injection products are in a class of medications called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. They work by blocking the action of TNF, a substance in the body that causes inflammation.

    Remicade And Other Medications

    Adalimumab (Humira) – IBD treatments explained by the experts

    Below is a list of medications that can interact with Remicade. This list doesnt contain all drugs that may interact with Remicade.

    Before taking Remicade, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

    If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

    Remicade with methotrexate

    Its not known exactly whether Remicade and methotrexate interact with each other. However, Remicade is prescribed with methotrexate for many autoimmune diseases . These include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

    In fact, taking methotrexate with Remicade may lower the risk of developing antibodies to Remicade. Methotrexate may also increase how much Remicade circulates through your body. In both cases, Remicade may be more effective.

    Its also possible that taking Remicade with another medication that weakens your immune system could increase your risk for infections and cancer.* Your doctor will monitor you closely for infections and cancer if you take Remicade, with or without methotrexate.

    Before starting Remicade, make sure youre up to date on all vaccines. If you need a live vaccine, get it before you start your Remicade treatment.

    Live vaccines and babies

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    Remicade Drug Class And Form

    Remicade contains the drug infliximab, which is a biologic . Remicade belongs to a drug class called tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockers. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.

    Remicade comes as a vial of powder thats mixed with a liquid solution. The drug is available in one strength: 100 mg.

    A healthcare professional will give you Remicade as an infusion. This is an injection into your vein thats given over a period of time. Remicade infusions are typically about 2 hours long. Youll usually receive an infusion every few weeks, but the timing depends on the condition thats being treated.

    What Should I Watch For After Starting Humira

    HUMIRA can cause serious side effects, including:

    Common side effects of HUMIRA include injection site reactions , upper respiratory infections , headaches, rash, and nausea. These are not all of the possible side effects with HUMIRA. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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    How Long Does Humira Stay In Your System

    Humira can stay in your system for about 8 to 10 weeks.

    The drugs half-life is 2 weeks. This means that half of a dose of Humira is eliminated from your body after 2 weeks. In general, a medication reaches very low levels after four to five half-lives have passed.

    Dont take more Humira than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

    Can I Switch Between Stelara And Humira

    Humira injection pen Uses Dosage Side Effects Precautions &  Warnings in ...

    The short answer: Its possible.

    Details: Stelara and Humira are both biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs . Biologics are newer, targeted therapies derived from living sources. And DMARDs suppress certain parts of your immune system to help reduce inflammation . This helps prevent damage to your healthy tissues and symptoms of your condition.

    These drugs are both used to treat similar autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis or ulcerative colitis . So you may be able to switch between Stelara and Humira.

    In some cases, your doctor may recommend the switch. For example:

    • If you have psoriatic arthritis thats not controlled with Stelara, your doctor may suggest switching to Humira. This switch is recommended by the American College of Rheumatology.
    • According to American Gastroenterological Association treatment guidelines, Stelara and Humira are both first-choice treatments for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. So if you need to switch because of side effects or costs, it may be possible.

    However, choosing to switch between these drugs isnt always a simple decision. Your doctor may or may not recommend it based on many factors, such as:

    • your condition and other medical treatments
    • your experience with past treatments
    • your risk for serious side effects
    • any side effects youve had
    • your other medications
    • recommendations from the latest treatment guidelines
    • drug costs or availability

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    Adalimumab In Ulcerative Colitis: Real

    Although adalimumab has been recently licensed, multiple lines of evidence from open-label and retrospective studies on adalimumab, administered for compassionate use in ulcerative colitis patients, have been available for several years . Oussalah et al first presented data on 13 ulcerative colitis patients treated with adalimumab in 2008. All of the patients had been previously treated with infliximab, and most of them had been previously treated with thiopurines. Patients were treated with adalimumab, with an induction dose of 160/80 mg at weeks 0 and 2, and then maintained with 40 mg EOW. The primary endpoint was defined as the proportion of patients on adalimumab therapy during the study. After a median follow-up of 41 weeks, the percentage of patients remaining on adalimumab therapy was 32.5%. Eight patients discontinued adalimumab: six due to colectomy, one due to lack of response, and one due to an exacerbation of psoriasis. No significant differences were found in adalimumab withdrawal and colectomy rates between the patients who lost response to infliximab and those who became intolerant. From this small cohort of difficult-to-treat patients who had already been treated with all of the main available therapies, adalimumab treatment potentially avoided colectomy in about half of them.

    What To Do In Case You Take Too Much Humira

    If youve injected too much Humira, talk with your doctor immediately. They may want to monitor you for signs and symptoms of overdose.

    You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

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    Dose Optimization Of Infliximab

    In addition to a dose increase, higher levels of drug may be obtained through the addition of an immunomodulator. In the SONIC trial of infliximab alone, azathioprine alone, or the combination for the treatment of CD, median trough levels of infliximab at week 30 were 1.6 mcg/mL in patients in the infliximab group and 3.5 mcg/mL for those in the combination therapy group . Corticosteroid-free remission rates were higher in patients with higher trough levels, although rates were still high among patients with lower trough levels. The UC-SUCCESS trial evaluated infliximab, azathioprine, or the combination for the treatment of UC and found that a higher percentage of patients on combination therapy achieved corticosteroid-free remission at week 16 compared with patients on infliximab alone or azathioprine alone . This study did not report whether this increase in remission rates was related to a difference in infliximab levels between the combination and infliximab groups.

    An algorithm for the evaluation and dose adjustment of infliximab in an inflammatory bowel disease patient with continued inflammation.

    ATI, antibodies to infliximab TNF, tumor necrosis factor.

    Aliment Pharmacol Ther.

    Adalimumab is licensed in the UK to be used in the treatment for:

    Crohns disease

    Ulcerative colitis

    • In adults with moderate to severe UC to reduce symptoms and induce and sustain remission when other medications have not worked

    Humira cannot be taken at the same time as:

    Side Effects Of Biologic Medication For Ulcerative Colitis

    FINAL HUMIRA REVIEW for Ulcerative Colitis (Moving On After 6 Months…)

    Among the biologics, are the anti-TNF agents, including Infliximab , adalimumab , and golimumab . These are all associated with an increased risk of infections as well as a slight excess risk for melanoma skin cancer. These agents should be avoided in patients with severe heart failure, as they may worsen the condition.

    Other biologic drugs such as Vedolizumab and ustekinumab seem to have better safety profiles and are not linked to increased infection rates to date.

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    How Should I Use Humira

    Use Humira exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

    Humira is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider will teach you how to properly use this medicine by yourself.

    Do not start using this medicine if you have any signs of an infection. Call your doctor for instructions.

    Read and carefully follow any instruction sheet provided with your medicine. Do not use Humira if you do not understand the instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

    The dose schedule for Humira is highly variable and depends on the condition you are treating. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.

    Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed color, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

    Humira affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to examine you on a regular basis.

    Store this medicine in its original carton in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. If you are traveling, carefully follow all patient instructions for storing your medicine during travel. Avoid extreme heat or cold.

    Throw away any Humira that has become frozen.

    Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

    What You Need To Know About Psoriasis Side Effects Of Humira For Ulcerative Colitis

    Is Your Stomach to Blame?

    Who would have thought that a severe psoriasis outbreak could start because of something going wrong inside of your stomach and intestines? Yet, new research developed by psoriasis expert Edgard Cayce shows a distinct link between a leaky gut and a scaly psoriatic episode. According to Cayce, the primary source of psoriasis can be found in the intestinal tract, where toxins are leached into the body. This causes the immune system to react by thickening the skin. At the same time, the skin tries to purge the toxins through its layers, which can cause scabs and sores to form.

    Could Arthritis Be the Cuplrit?

    The intestines arent the only link to psoriasis found by researchers arthritis seems to also contribute to it. As many as one-third of all psoriasis patients eventually develop some form of psoriatic arthritis. Unlike normal forms of arthritis, those with psoriatic arthritis do not exhibit a rheumatoid factor when their blood is tested. This indicates that the arthritic condition comes solely from either the psoriasis itself or the underlying cause of the skin affliction.

    Could a Virus Be the Cause?

    Arthritis has been linked to certain virus and so have other auto-immune disorders. This leads some researchers to think that psoriasis too may start with a virus, which is what kicks the immune system into overdrive.

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