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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HUMIRA
HUMIRA is a prescription medicine containing adalimumab. HUMIRA is available as a single use pre-filled syringe or single-use pre-filled pen and may contain 20mg, 40mg or 80mg adalimumab. It is used in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, enthesitis-related arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, non-infectious uveitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. HUMIRA is only used in patients of a specific age group, in diseases of certain severity (e.g. moderate to severe), and/or after some other treatments have been tried (e.g. conventional therapy).
HUMIRA has risks and benefits.
Do not use HUMIRA if you have: an allergy to any medicines containing adalimumab or any of the other ingredients in HUMIRA; a severe infection; tuberculosis (TB); moderate to severe heart failure; or are using a medicine containing anakinra (Kineret®) or abatacept (Orencia®).
Before you use HUMIRA tell your doctor if you have: a current infection or a history of infections that keep coming back (including TB, hepatitis B, fungal or any other infection); any conditions that increase the risk of infections; had close contact with someone with TB; a nervous system disease (such as multiple sclerosis); blood disorders; low resistance to disease; any serious heart conditions; cancer; autoimmune disease; lung disease; uveitis (an eye problem); kidney or liver problems; psoriasis and have undergone phototherapy; or if you have any allergies. Your risk of getting serious infections or certain kinds of cancer may increase if you take HUMIRA. In rare cases these infections may be life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest hospital if you develop symptoms of: an allergic reaction (such as chest tightness, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, swelling, rash); heart problems (such as shortness of breath with exertion or lying down, swollen feet); or blood disorders (persistent fever, bruising, bleeding easily, paleness).
Tell your doctor right away if you notice: symptoms of TB (such as persistent cough, weight loss, listlessness); signs of infection (such as fever, lack of energy, problems with your teeth and gums, burning when you pass urine); signs of soft tissue infection (such as a bump or open sore that doesn’t heal); new skin spots or sores; existing lesions change appearance; signs of nervous system disorders (such as numbness or tingling, arm or leg weakness, double vision); signs suggesting a blood clot (such as swelling, tenderness, redness and a warm feeling in an area of the arm or leg). Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while using HUMIRA. If you use HUMIRA during pregnancy, your baby may have a higher risk of getting an infection. It is important that you tell your baby’s doctors and other healthcare professionals about your HUMIRA use during your pregnancy before the baby receives any vaccine.
Tell your doctor and other health care professionals: if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription; if you are going to have surgery, or if you are scheduled for any vaccines. Patients taking HUMIRA should not receive live vaccines. Tell all doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using HUMIRA.
Common Side Effects: Tell your doctor if you experience any side effects that make you feel unwell. The most common side effects of HUMIRA are injection site reactions (e.g. pain, swelling, redness etc); respiratory tract infections; ear or eye pain, inflammation of the eye or eye lid; mouth ulcers, pain or bleeding from the gums; burning or pain when passing urine or blood in the urine; skin bumps or sores that don’t heal; headache or migraine, dizziness; muscle weakness or numbness; tummy pain, nausea, vomiting, reflux or heartburn; chest pain; rash, itching; finger or toe nail problems; hair loss; tiredness; muscle, joint or bone pain; bleeding or bruising more easily; depression or anxiety; increased heart rate; and infections caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, as well as abnormal laboratory tests such as reduced blood cell count, etc.
If you have any questions about using HUMIRA, including the risks and benefits, how much to use, how and when to use it, or the storage conditions, ask your healthcare professional and refer to the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) available from www.HUMIRA.co.nz or freephone 0800 900 030. Ask your doctor if HUMIRA is right for you. Use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue, or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional.
HUMIRA is a fully funded medicine under Special Authority for most indications – normal pharmacy prescription charges apply. HUMIRA is not funded for enthesitis-related arthritis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Normal pharmacy and doctor’s charges will apply.
AbbVie Limited, 6th floor, 156-158 Victoria Street, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand 0800 900 030.
[MCMI Ver 19]. NZ-HUM-220030. TAPS BG2536. October 2022. Copyright (c) AbbVie Limited.
