Humira

Humira, the brand name for adalimumab, is a monoclonal antibody used to treat several autoimmune diseases. It is a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), inhibiting a key pathway in inflammatory processes and immune activation.

Approved indications include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis such as ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis. In these conditions, adalimumab reduces symptoms and can improve physical function and quality of life.

It is administered by subcutaneous injection, typically every other week, with some regimens using loading doses or different schedules based on disease and patient factors. Dosing is weight- and condition-dependent and may be adjusted for response or tolerance.

Safety and monitoring: Humira may increase the risk of serious infections and certain cancers; latent tuberculosis and hepatitis B reactivation have been reported. Patients should be screened for TB and hepatitis B before starting therapy and monitored during treatment. Vaccination status should be updated prior to initiating therapy with non-live vaccines; live vaccines are generally avoided during treatment. Other potential adverse effects include injection-site reactions, hypersensitivity, demyelinating disorders, heart failure, and rare allergic reactions. Use with caution in patients with active infections or heart failure or certain demyelinating diseases.

Humira was developed by Abbott Laboratories and is marketed by AbbVie. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology in mammalian cell culture. Since patent expirations, several biosimilars have been approved in various regions, increasing competition and access.