Convenience of Twice Monthly Injections (coming soon): Humira (adalimumab) is Abbott's biologic for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Approval for treatment of psoriasis was granted in the first quarter of 2008.
Who Should Take This Drug?: Patients with psoriatic arthritis and patients with extensive plaque psoriasis) whose symptoms may have not improved with the more commonly used Enbrel (Etanercept), or who need the convenience of twice-monthly dosing.
Which Patients Should Avoid This Drug?: Patients with severe infections, including tuberculosis or hepatitis B, and possibly those patients allergic to rubber or latex. Also, those people with multiple sclerosis and related neurological conditions, heart failure, upcoming vaccination or surgery, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How is this Drug Used?: Humira is self-injected under the skin once every two weeks.
What are the Side Effects of Humira?: More common side effects include reactions at the site of injection (redness, rash, swelling, itching or bruising) as well as headache, nausea and upper respiratory tract infections. All drugs of this class (TNF alpha blockers) have a poorly defined increased risk of serious infection, neurological problems, and heart failure which needs to be balanced against their superior effectiveness in treating psoriasis.
