This page contains a brief description that does not cover the medication. For more information read the review in Felleskatalogen.no for the respective drug.

Definition

Adalimumab is the active substance in Humira and Hyrimoz. The drug is one TNF inhibitor and belong to them biological drugs

Before start of treatment

• Infections must be ruled out (Hepatitis B og Hepatitis C, Tuberkulosis (Tbc))
• Exclude serious heart failure (NYHA III / IV)
• Blood tests
• Urine
• X-ray or CT of lungs
• Tuberculosis screening: more here (in Danish)
• A goal should be set for treatment

Vaccines

• Consider annual flu vaccine
• Evaluate pneumococcal vaccine before starting treatment (effect lasts for 5-10 years)
• Consider hepatitis B vaccine before initiating treatment (exposed persons)
• "Live vaccines" should not be used
• More about vaccines here

Dosage

Common dosage at Rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis) in adults:

• Injection under the skin (subcutaneous, sc) 40mg every 14. day
• Combination with Methotrexate is common

For children with Juvenile arthritis Dose adalimumab according to body weight and height. Body weight 10-30 kg may indicate adalimumab 20mg every 2 weeks, body weight 30 kg or more can be dosed as in adults (40mg every 2 weeks). Table for dosage can be found in the Norwegian «The Common Catalog ». 

Most common side effects

• Infections (most often in the upper respiratory tract)
• Ingestion reactions (redness, itching, swelling, bleeding, pain)
• Headaches and skeletal and muscular pain
• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
• Low number of white and red blood cells
• Increase in fats (lipids) in the blood

Prescription

• H-prescription which is covered by the patient's health trust

Storage

Do not freeze.

• Pre-filled pen / syringe can be stored at temperatures up to max. 25 ° C for a period of up to 14 days

Doctor Check / monitoring

Specialist / Specialist in Rheumatology and General Practitioner

Measurement of serum concentration

• Measured at Oslo University Hospital on own requisition: Not important when during the treatment cycle the sample is taken
• For reference areas, please see anx.no (adalimumab)

Patient information

• Humira: Link here (in Danish)
• The Norwegian «Common catalog»
• UpToDate (American, "US Boxed Warning")

Medications, BINDEVEVSSYKDOMMER.no

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• Vaskulitt.no