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Medicine, Its Use And Remidies for Ailments - Adalimumab
Adalimumab (Ad-al-lee-moo-mab) is a medicine which is used in ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Adalimumab is an injection that is usually given by a healthcare professional. The person responsible for giving you your medicine will make sure that you get the right dose. If you feel that the medicine is making you feel unwell or you think it is not working, you should talk to someone who is involved in your care.
Adalimumab is an immunosuppressive medicine. It helps to suppress overactivity of the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. It can help to reduce pain and swelling by limiting inflammation.
Due to its effects on the immune system, people who have Adalimumab are prone to getting infections. This includes serious infections such as tuberculosis and sepsis. It is for this reason that people who have Adalimumab are monitored for infections.
Adalimumab stays in the body for several months so the effects of this medicine will persist for some time after you have your last dose.
Other information about Adalimumab:
- in certain circumstances, such as when you are going to have your medicine regularly over a long period of time, you may be shown how to inject the medicine yourself
- people taking this medicine should be given an alert card. You should keep it with you at all times as it can alert anyone involved in your medical care that you are having Adalimumab. If you have any concerns or questions about having Adalimumab you should discuss them with your prescriber
Is this medicine suitable for you
Adalimumab is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:
- are about to have surgery
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- are taking or have recently taken immunosuppressants
- have a weakened immune system or are prone to infections
- have been in close contact with somebody with tuberculosis
- have demyelinating disorders
- have heart problems
- have kidney problems
- have liver problems
- have or have had cancer
- have or have had infections
- have or have had tuberculosis
- have recently had or are having a vaccination soon
Furthermore the prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all for someone under 18 years of age.
As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:
- to determine whether or not the medicine is suitable and whether it must be prescribed with extra caution
- to check that this medicine is not having any undesired effects
Over time it is possible that Adalimumab can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Adalimumab has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Side Effects
Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience. Very occasionally, certain side-effects can be beneficial.
Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.
Very common: More than 10% of people who take Adalimumab
- chest or respiratory infections - If you get any symptoms of an infection while having Adalimumab you must immediately seek medical advice
- injection site problems such as redness, itching, swelling or pain
Common: Between 1% and 10% of people who take Adalimumab
- abnormal laboratory test results
- arthritis
- blood and bone marrow problems - If you have bruising, bleeding, get a persistent fever, or become pale you must immediately seek medical advice
- cough
- diarrhoea
- dizziness
- flu or flu-like symptoms
- general feeling of being unwell
- hair loss
- headaches
- indigestion
- infections - some of the infections caused by Adalimumab may be fatal. If you get any symptoms of an infection while having Adalimumab you must immediately seek medical advice
- itching
- mouth ulcers
- nausea
- nose and throat problems
- paraesthesiae
- raised blood pressure
- skin rash or rashes
- stomach pain
- tiredness
- weakness
Uncommon: Between 0.1% and 1% of people who take Adalimumab
- acne
- angioedema
- anorexia
- asthma
- benign skin tumour
- breathing difficulties
- chills
- colitis
- confusion
- constipation
- depression
- difficulty speaking
- dry eyes or crusting of eyelids
- dry skin
- ear or hearing problems
- eye or eyesight problems
- fainting or brief loss of consciousness
- faster heart rate
- feeling anxious, nervous or agitated
- feeling hot
- fever
- flushing
- gastritis
- gastroenteritis
- gastrooesophageal reflux
- haemorrhoids
- hair loss
- healing problems
- heavy or long menstrual periods
- hypersensitivity reactions or allergic reactions including anaphylactic type reactions - if these happen to you, stop having Adalimumab and seek medical help immediately
- increased blood sugar levels
- irritation or inflammation of the eye
- joint problems
- loss of appetite
- lung problems
- lymphadenopathy
- metabolic problems
- migraine
- mouth problems
- muscle pain or tenderness
- muscle spasm
- nail problems
- neuralgia
- neuropathies
- night sweats
- oedema
- pain including chest pain, shoulder pain, kidney pain, back pain or joint pain
- painful extremities
- palpitations
- photosensitivity skin reaction
- respiratory tract problems
- rheumatoid arthritis
- skin problems
- sleepiness
- sleeping problems
- stomach pain and discomfort
- swallowing difficulties
- sweating
- taste changes
- tendon problems
- tinnitus
- tongue problems
- tooth problems
- tremors
- urinary problems
- urticaria
- vertigo
- vomiting
- weight gain or loss
- wheezing
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown
- cancer
- demyelinating problems or worsening of existing demyelinating problems
- heart problems or worsening of heart problems
- lupus or lupus-like problem
- reactivation of hepatitis B
- tuberculosis - some of the tuberculosis infections caused by Adalimumab may be fatal. If you get a persistent cough, fever or
- weight loss and wasting, you must immediately seek medical advice
- vasculitis of the skin
If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away.
Taking other medicines
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
The following medicines may interact with Adalimumab:
- anakinra
- methotrexate
The following types of medicine may interact with Adalimumab:
- vaccines
If you are taking Adalimumab and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.
Complementary preparations and vitamins
If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with Adalimumab.
Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.
If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.
Driving and operating machinery
Like all medicines Adalimumab can cause side effects. You should see how this medicine affects you and then judge if you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt, talk to your prescriber.
Diet
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
- there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when having Adalimumab
Alcohol
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
- there are no known interactions between alcohol and Adalimumab
Family planning and pregnancy
Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.
- the use of this medicine during pregnancy is not recommended
- you must not become pregnant while you are having this medicine, and for at least five months after you stop having this medicine. If you could become pregnant, you must use effective contraception or abstain from penetrative sex. You must contact your prescriber if you become pregnant, or think you have become pregnant, while having Adalimumab
You should discuss your personal circumstances with your doctor if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant. This is so that together you can make a decision about what treatment you may need during your pregnancy.
You should discuss whether there are any other medicines which you could take during pregnancy which would treat your condition.
Breast Feeding
Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.
- women who are breast-feeding must not have this medicine
- do not breast-feed for at least five months after you have the last dose of Adalimumab
Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. If you wish to breast-feed you should discuss with your prescriber whether there are any other medicines you could take which would also allow you to breast-feed. You should not stop this medicine without taking advice from your doctor.
Ingredients
This medicine contains adalimumab.
Disclaimer - eHealth Treats does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services. Consulting a Qualified Medical Practitioner is always recommended. eHealth Treats does not and should not be taken as a substitute for a Qualified Medical Practitioner.
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