Humira 40mg pre-filled syringe solution for injection

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Humira 40mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe

adalimumab

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
• Your doctor will give you a patient information card, which contains important safety information that you need to know before you start using and during treatment with Humira. Keep this patient information card.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others, even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them.
• If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack

1. What is Humira and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you start using Humira
3. How to use Humira
4. Possible side effects
5. Storing Humira
6. Contents of the pack and further information
7. How to inject Humira

1. What is Humira and what is it used for

Humira contains the active substance adalimumab.

Humira is used to treat

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Juvenile idiopathic polyarticular arthritis
• Enthesitis-related arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Plaque psoriasis
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Non-infectious uveitis

The active substance in Humira, adalimumab, is a human monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that target a specific target.

The target of adalimumab is a protein called tumour necrosis factor (TNFα), which is involved in the immune system (defence) and is found at high levels in the inflammatory diseases described above. By targeting TNFα, Humira reduces the inflammation process in these diseases.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints.

Humira is used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults. You may have been given other disease-modifying medicines such as methotrexate beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

Humira can also be used to treat severe, active, and progressive rheumatoid arthritis without prior treatment with methotrexate.

Humira can reduce the damage to the joints caused by the inflammatory disease and can help you move more freely.

Your doctor will decide if Humira should be used with methotrexate or as monotherapy.

Juvenile Idiopathic Polyarticular Arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic polyarticular arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints.

Humira is used to treat juvenile idiopathic polyarticular arthritis in patients from 2 years of age.

You may have been given other disease-modifying medicines such as methotrexate beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

Your doctor will decide if Humira should be used with methotrexate or as monotherapy.

Enthesitis-related Arthritis

Enthesitis-related arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints and the sites where tendons attach to bone.

Humira is used to treat enthesitis-related arthritis in patients from 6 years of age. You may have been given other disease-modifying medicines such as methotrexate beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Axial Spondyloarthritis without Radiographic Evidence of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis are inflammatory diseases that affect the spine.

Humira is used to treat severe ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis in adults. You may have been given other medicines beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints that is often associated with psoriasis.

Humira is used to treat psoriatic arthritis in adults. Humira can reduce the damage caused by the disease to the joints and can help you move more freely. You may have been treated with other medicines beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, scaly, crusty, and silvery-scaled patches. Plaque psoriasis can also affect the nails, causing them to deteriorate, thicken, and lift off the nail bed, which can be painful.

Humira is used to treat

• chronic plaque psoriasis in adults and
• severe chronic plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents from 4 to 17 years of age who have not responded or are not suitable candidates for topical therapy and phototherapies.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (also known as inverse acne) is a chronic and often painful inflammatory skin disease. Symptoms can include painful nodules (lumps) and abscesses (boils) that can ooze pus. It usually affects specific areas of the skin, such as under the breasts, in the armpits, groin, and buttocks. There may also be scarring in the affected areas.

Humira is used to treat

• moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in adults and
• moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in adolescents from 12 to 17 years.

Humira can reduce the number of nodules and abscesses caused by the disease, and the pain that is usually associated with this disease. You may have been given other medicines beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract.

Humira is used to treat

• moderate to severe Crohn's disease in adults and
• moderate to severe Crohn's disease in children and adolescents from 6 to 17 years.

You may have been given other medicines beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine.

Humira is used to treat

• moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in adults and
• moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in children and adolescents from 6 to 17 years.

You may have been given other medicines beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

Non-infectious Uveitis

Non-infectious uveitis is an inflammatory disease that affects certain parts of the eye.

Humira is used to treat

• adults with non-infectious uveitis with inflammation that affects the back of the eye.

• children from 2 years of age with chronic non-infectious uveitis with inflammation that affects the front of the eye.

This inflammation can lead to a decrease in vision and/or the presence of floaters in the eye (black dots or thin lines that move across the field of vision). Humira works by reducing this inflammation.

You may have been given other medicines beforehand. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given Humira.

2. What you need to know before starting to use Humira

Do not use Humira:

• If you are allergic to adalimumab or to any of the other components of this medicine (included in section 6).

• If you have active tuberculosis or other severe infections (see "Warnings and precautions"). If you have symptoms of any infection, such as fever, wounds, fatigue, dental problems, it is important that you inform your doctor.

• If you have moderate or severe heart failure. It is important that you tell your doctor if you have had or have any serious heart problems (see "Warnings and precautions").

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to use Humira.

Allergic reactions

• If you have an allergic reaction with symptoms such as chest tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, swelling, or rash, discontinue the administration of Humira and contact your doctor immediately, as these reactions can be life-threatening in rare cases.

Infections

• If you have any infection, including chronic infection or a localized infection in any part of the body (e.g., a leg ulcer), consult your doctor before starting treatment with Humira. If you are unsure, contact your doctor.

• With Humira treatment, you may be more likely to get infections. This risk may be higher if you have damaged lungs. These infections can be serious and include:

• tuberculosis
• infections caused by viruses, fungi, parasites, or bacteria
• severe blood infection (sepsis)

In rare cases, these infections could be life-threatening. It is essential that if you have symptoms such as fever, wounds, fatigue, or dental problems, you tell your doctor. Your doctor may advise you to temporarily discontinue Humira.

• Inform your doctor if you live or travel to regions where fungal infections (such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis) are common.

• Inform your doctor if you have had recurrent infections or other disorders that increase the risk of infections.

• If you are over 65 years old, you may be more susceptible to infections while being treated with Humira. Both you and your doctor should pay special attention to the appearance of signs of infection while being treated with Humira. It is crucial that you inform your doctor if you have symptoms of infections, such as fever, wounds, feeling of fatigue, or dental problems.

Tuberculosis

• It is very important that you inform your doctor if you have had tuberculosis in the past or if you have been in close contact with someone who has had tuberculosis. If you have active tuberculosis, you should not use Humira.

• Since cases of tuberculosis have been reported in patients treated with Humira, your doctor will examine you for signs or symptoms of tuberculosis before starting your treatment with Humira. This will include a thorough medical evaluation, including your medical history and appropriate diagnostic tests (e.g., chest X-ray and tuberculin test). The performance and results of these tests should be recorded in your patient information card.
• Tuberculosis can develop during treatment, even if you have received treatment to prevent tuberculosis.
• If symptoms of tuberculosis appear (e.g., persistent cough, weight loss, lack of energy, low-grade fever) or any other infection during or after treatment, contact your doctor immediately.

Hepatitis B

• Inform your doctor if you are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), if you have had active HBV infections, or if you think you may be at risk of contracting HBV.
• Your doctor should perform an analysis for HBV. In people carrying HBV, Humira can cause the virus to become active again.
• In rare cases, especially if you are taking other medications that suppress the immune system, the reactivation of HBV can be life-threatening.

Surgery or dental intervention

• If you are going to undergo surgery or dental intervention, inform your doctor that you are taking Humira. Your doctor may recommend that you temporarily discontinue Humira treatment.

Demyelinating disease

• If you have or develop a demyelinating disease (a disease that affects the insulation layer around the nerves, such as multiple sclerosis), your doctor will decide whether you should be treated or continue treatment with Humira. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as changes in vision, weakness in arms or legs, or numbness or tingling in any part of the body.

Vaccines

• Certain vaccines may cause infections and should not be administered if you are being treated with Humira.

• Consult your doctor before administering any type of vaccine.
• If possible, it is recommended that children receive the scheduled vaccines for their age before starting treatment with Humira.
• If you receive Humira while pregnant, your child may have a higher risk of contracting infections during the approximately five months following the last dose of Humira you received during pregnancy. It is essential that you inform your child's doctor and other healthcare professionals about your use of Humira during pregnancy, so they can decide whether your child should receive any vaccine.

Heart failure

• If you have mild heart failure and are being treated with Humira, your doctor should continuously monitor your heart failure. It is crucial that you inform your doctor if you have had or have serious heart problems. If new symptoms of heart failure appear or existing ones worsen (e.g., difficulty breathing, or swelling of the feet), you should contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide whether you should continue taking Humira.

Fever, bruising, bleeding, or pale appearance

• In some patients, the body may be unable to produce a sufficient number of the type of blood cells that help the body fight infections or contribute to stopping bleeding. Your doctor may decide to interrupt treatment. If you have persistent fever, easy bruising, or bleeding, or are very pale, consult your doctor immediately.

Cancer

• In very rare cases, certain types of cancer have been reported in children and adults treated with Humira or other TNF-blocking agents.

• People with more severe rheumatoid arthritis and those who have had the disease for a long time may have a higher-than-average risk of developing lymphoma (a cancer that affects the lymphatic system) and leukemia (a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow).
• If you are being treated with Humira, the risk of developing lymphoma, leukemia, and other types of cancer may increase. A rare and severe type of lymphoma has been observed in patients treated with Humira. Some of these patients were also receiving treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine.
• Inform your doctor if you are taking azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine with Humira.
• Cases of non-melanoma skin cancer have been observed in patients using Humira.
• Inform your doctor if new skin lesions appear or existing ones change in appearance during or after treatment.

• Cancers other than lymphoma have been reported in patients with a certain lung disease, called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), treated with another TNF-blocking agent. If you have COPD or are a heavy smoker, you should consult your doctor to determine whether treatment with a TNF blocker is suitable for you.

Autoimmune disease

• In rare cases, treatment with Humira may lead to a syndrome similar to lupus. Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as unexplained persistent rash, fever, joint pain, or fatigue.

Children and adolescents

• Vaccines: if possible, your child should be up-to-date with all vaccines before using Humira.

Using Humira with other medicines

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or may need to take any other medicine.

Do not take Humira with medicines that contain the following active substances due to an increased risk of severe infections:

• anakinra
• abatacept.

Humira can be taken with:

• methotrexate
• certain disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (such as sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, and injectable gold salts)
• steroids or pain medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

If you have any doubts, consult your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• You should consider using adequate contraceptive methods to avoid becoming pregnant and continue using them for at least 5 months after the last treatment with Humira.
• If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice on using this medicine.
• Humira should be used during pregnancy only if necessary.
• According to a pregnancy study, there was no increased risk of congenital defects when the mother had received treatment with Humira during pregnancy compared to mothers with the same disease who did not receive treatment with Humira.
• Humira can be used during breastfeeding.
• If you use Humira while pregnant, your child may have a higher risk of contracting infections.
• It is essential that you inform your child's doctor and other healthcare professionals about your use of Humira during pregnancy, so they can decide whether your child should receive any vaccine. For more information on vaccines, see the "Warnings and precautions" section.

Driving and using machines

Humira may have a minor effect on your ability to drive, ride a bicycle, or use machines. You may experience dizziness and vision disturbances after using Humira.

3. How to use Humira

Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

In the following table, the recommended doses of Humira for each of its approved uses are indicated. Your doctor may prescribe a different dose of Humira if you need a different dose.

Form and route of administration

Humira is injected under the skin (subcutaneously).

In section 7 "How to inject Humira" detailed instructions are provided on how to inject Humira.

If you use more Humira than you should

If you accidentally inject Humira more frequently than scheduled by your doctor or pharmacist, inform your doctor or pharmacist. Always carry the medication box with you, even if it is empty.

If you forget to use Humira

If you forget to administer an injection, you should inject the next dose of Humira as soon as you remember. Then, the next dose will be administered as usual, as if you had not forgotten a dose.

If you interrupt treatment with Humira

The decision to stop using Humira should be discussed with your doctor. Your symptoms may return if you stop using Humira.

If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible Adverse Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them. Most adverse effects are mild to moderate. However, some can be serious and require treatment. Adverse effects may appear at least up to 4 months after the last injection of Humira.

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following effects

• severe rash, hives, or other signs of allergic reaction
• swelling of the face, hands, feet
• difficulty breathing, swallowing
• shortness of breath with physical activity or when lying down or swelling of feet.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following effects

• signs of infection such as fever, nausea, wounds, dental problems, burning sensation when urinating
• feeling of weakness or fatigue
• cough
• tingling
• numbness
• double vision
• weakness in arms or legs
• a lump or an open wound that does not heal
• signs and symptoms of blood disorders such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, and paleness

The symptoms described above may be signs of the adverse effects listed below, which have been observed with Humira.

Very Common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• injection site reactions (including pain, swelling, redness, or itching)
• lower respiratory tract infections (including cold, runny nose, sinusitis, pneumonia)
• headache
• abdominal pain
• nausea and vomiting
• rash
• muscle pain

Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• severe infections (including sepsis and flu)
• intestinal infections (including gastroenteritis)
• skin infections (including cellulitis and herpes)
• ear infection
• oral infections (including dental infection and cold sore)
• infections of the reproductive system
• urinary tract infections
• fungal infections
• joint infections
• benign tumors
• skin cancer
• allergic reactions (including seasonal allergy)
• dehydration
• mood changes (including depression)
• anxiety
• difficulty sleeping
• sensory disturbances such as tingling, itching, or numbness
• migraine
• nerve root compression (including lower back pain and leg pain)
• visual disturbances
• eye inflammation
• eyelid inflammation and eye swelling
• vertigo (feeling of dizziness or spinning)
• feeling of rapid heartbeat
• high blood pressure
• flushing
• bruising (blood accumulation outside blood vessels)
• cough
• asthma
• difficulty breathing
• gastrointestinal bleeding
• dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, and heartburn)
• acid reflux
• dry eye syndrome (including dryness in eyes and mouth)
• itching
• pruritic rash
• bruising
• skin inflammation (such as eczema)
• breaking of fingernails and toenails
• increased sweating
• hair loss
• new onset or worsening of psoriasis
• muscle spasms
• blood in urine
• kidney problems
• chest pain
• edema (swelling)
• fever
• low platelet count in blood, which increases the risk of bleeding or bruising
• wound healing problems

Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• opportunistic infections (including tuberculosis and other infections that occur when disease resistance decreases)
• neurological infections (including viral meningitis)
• eye infections
• bacterial infections
• diverticulitis (inflammation and infection of the large intestine)
• cancer
• cancer affecting the lymphatic system
• melanoma
• immune system disorders that can affect the lungs, skin, and lymph nodes (the most common presentation is sarcoidosis)
• vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)
• tremor (feeling shaky)
• neuropathy (nervous system disorder)
• stroke
• hearing loss, tinnitus
• feeling of irregular heartbeat like skips
• heart problems that can cause difficulty breathing or swelling of ankles
• heart attack
• aneurysm in the wall of a major artery, inflammation, and clotting in a vein, blockage of a blood vessel
• pulmonary diseases that can cause difficulty breathing (including inflammation)
• pulmonary embolism (blockage of a pulmonary artery)
• pleural effusion (abnormal fluid accumulation in the pleural space)
• pancreatitis that causes severe abdominal and back pain
• difficulty swallowing
• facial edema (swelling of the face)
• inflammation of the gallbladder; gallstones
• fatty liver
• night sweats
• scarring
• abnormal muscle crisis
• systemic lupus erythematosus (including skin inflammation, heart, lungs, joints, and other organs)
• sleep disturbances
• impotence
• inflammations

Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)

• leukemia (cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow)
• severe allergic reaction with shock
• multiple sclerosis
• nervous system disorders (such as optic neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome that can cause muscle weakness, abnormal sensations, tingling in the arms and upper body)
• cardiac arrest
• pulmonary fibrosis (scarring in the lung)
• intestinal perforation (hole in the intestine)
• hepatitis
• reactivation of hepatitis B virus
• autoimmune hepatitis (liver inflammation caused by the body's own immune system)
• cutaneous vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels in the skin)
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (early symptoms include discomfort, fever, headache, and rash)
• facial edema (swelling of the face) associated with allergic reactions
• erythema multiforme (inflammatory rash on the skin)
• lupus-like syndrome
• angioedema (localized skin inflammation)
• lichenoid reaction on the skin (red-purple rash with itching)

Frequency Not Known(cannot be estimated from the available data)

• hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (rare and often fatal blood cancer)
• Merkel cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer)
• Kaposi's sarcoma, a rare cancer related to human herpesvirus 8 infection. Kaposi's sarcoma usually manifests more frequently as purple skin lesions
• liver failure
• worsening of a disease called dermatomyositis (seen as skin rash accompanied by muscle weakness)
• weight gain (for most patients, weight gain was reduced)

Some adverse effects observed in clinical trials do not have symptoms and can only be identified through a blood test. These include:

Very Common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• low white blood cell count
• low red blood cell count
• increased lipids in blood
• increased liver enzymes

Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• high white blood cell count
• low platelet count
• increased uric acid in blood
• abnormal sodium levels in blood
• low calcium level in blood
• low phosphate level in blood
• high blood sugar
• high lactate dehydrogenase levels in blood
• presence of autoantibodies in blood
• low potassium level in blood

Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• elevated bilirubin levels (liver function test)

Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)

• low counts in blood for white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets

Reporting of Adverse Effects

If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect that does not appear in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the national reporting system included in Appendix V. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Humira

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiration date stated on the packaging after "EXP".

Store in a refrigerator (between 2°C and 8°C). Do not freeze.

Store the pre-filled syringe in the outer packaging to protect it from light.

Alternative storage:

When necessary (e.g., when traveling), you can store a single Humira pre-filled syringe at room temperature (up to 25°C) for a maximum of 14 days (make sure to protect it from light). Once you have removed the syringe from the refrigerator to store it at room temperature, you must use it within the next 14 days or discard it, even if you put it back in the refrigerator.

You should note the date you removed the syringe from the refrigerator and the date after which you must discard the syringe.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicines. This will help protect the environment.

6. Container Contents and Additional Information

Humira Composition

The active ingredient is adalimumab.

The other components are: mannitol, polysorbate 80, and water for injectable preparations.

Product Appearance and Container Contents

Humira 40 mg injectable solution in a pre-filled syringe is supplied as a sterile solution of 40 mg of adalimumab dissolved in 0.4 ml of solution.

The Humira pre-filled syringe is a glass syringe containing an adalimumab solution. Each container contains 1, 2, 4, or 6 pre-filled syringes for patient use and 1, 2, 4, or 6 alcohol swabs, respectively.

Only some package sizes may be marketed.

Humira may be available in a vial, pre-filled syringe, and/or pre-filled pen.

Marketing Authorization Holder

AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG

Knollstrasse

67061 Ludwigshafen

Germany

Manufacturer

AbbVie Biotechnology GmbH

Knollstrasse

67061 Ludwigshafen

Germany

You can request more information about this medication by contacting the local representative of the marketing authorization holder.

Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu.

To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print, or to listen to it in audio, contact the local representative of the marketing authorization holder.

1. How to Inject Humira

• The following instructions explain how to inject Humira subcutaneously yourself using the pre-filled syringe. Read all the instructions carefully first and then follow them step by step.

• Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will show you the technique for injecting yourself.

• Do not attempt to inject yourself until you are sure you understand how to prepare and administer the injection.

• After you have been properly trained, you or another person, such as a family member or friend, can give the injection.

• Use each pre-filled syringe for one injection only.

Humira Pre-filled Syringe

PlungerWingsNeedle Cap

Do not use the pre-filled syringe and call your doctor or pharmacist if

• the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or has flakes or particles in it
• the expiration date (EXP) has passed
• the liquid has been frozen or exposed to direct sunlight
• the pre-filled syringe has been dropped or crushed

Do not remove the needle cap until just before injection. Keep Humira out of sight and reach of children.