Interactions

Humira is often used in combination with cortisone, with methotrexate, which is also an immune-inhibiting drug, or in combination with other specified drugs with similar effects. An exception are the active substances Etanacept, Abatacept and Anakinra, among which in combination with Humira among other things heavy infections and increased side effects could be proven. Non-prescription painkillers such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen can be used together with Humira without any problems.

If there is any doubt about a drug combination, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted. As a rule, drinking alcohol while using Humira should be tolerated. Humira is a medication that is injected under the skin.

It is therefore only slightly affected by food, including alcohol, taken via the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, Humira only reaches its maximum effective level in the blood after about 5 days. Anyone who wanted to be on the safe side can therefore avoid alcohol on this day. Caution should be exercised if the liver values have deteriorated as a result of taking Humira or if there is an active disease of the liver.

When should Humira not be given?

Humira must not be used if there is a known allergy or hypersensitivity to adalimumab. Since Humira inhibits the body’s immune system, Humira must also not be used in the case of existing infections; this applies especially in the case of active tuberculosis.Patients with mild heart failure or multiple sclerosis can get Humira under close supervision of a doctor. There are no data on the use of Humira in pregnant women and nursing mothers as well as in patients with liver or kidney damage, so its use is not recommended.

Dosage

The standard dose of Humira in adults is 40mg once every two weeks. The drug is injected under the skin of the abdomen. In children and adolescents the dose depends on height and weight, it is determined by the appropriate physician before starting treatment.

For psoriasis, non-infectious uveitis and Crohn’s disease in adults, the dose is doubled, i.e. 80mg, and then treatment is continued with 40mg once every two weeks. In ulcerative colitis, particularly severe Crohn’s disease and acne inversa, the initial dose is 160mg and then reduced. If the single dose is higher than 40mg, it is injected in stages: 80mg in two single doses within one day, 160mg either as four single doses within one day or two 40mg doses on two consecutive days. The interval between two doses is two weeks, but can be shortened to one week by the doctor if necessary.