Rinvoq vs. Humira for Ulcerative Colitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) and Humira (adalimumab) are both medications used to treat inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's disease (CD). However, they belong to different medication classes. Rinvoq is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, while Humira is a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that blocks tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Rinvoq is taken orally, usually once a day, and is available as an extended-release tablet and an oral solution. In contrast, Humira is injected under the skin, typically every other week, and is available as a prefilled injection pen. Common side effects of Rinvoq include a higher risk of infections and acne, while Humira can cause injection-site reactions and upper respiratory infections. Both medications can increase the risk of serious infections, but they have different interactions and precautions, such as avoiding grapefruit with Rinvoq and caution with live vaccines with Humira.

Rinvoq

(upadacitinib)

Get free coupons

Humira

(adalimumab)

Get free coupons

Summary for Rinvoq

Prescription only

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It's used to treat certain inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis (UC), and eczema (atopic dermatitis). But it's not a first-choice option and typically only prescribed when other treatments haven't worked well. Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is taken by mouth, usually once daily. It's available as an extended-release tablet (Rinvoq) and an oral solution (Rinvoq LQ), but the two formulations aren't interchangeable. Side effects include a higher risk of infections, acne, and nausea.

Indications for Rinvoq

Moderate-to-severe inflammatory conditions in which other treatments haven't worked:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults and children ages 2 years and older
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults and children ages 12 years and older
Ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults
Crohn's disease (CD) in adults
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) in adults
Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in adults and children ages 2 years and older

Pros and Cons for Rinvoq

Pros

Can treat many different inflammatory conditions
Available as a tablet and a liquid
The tablet only needs to be taken once a day

Cons

Can raise risk for infections
Not the best option for people with severe liver or kidney problems
Not safe for use during pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Rinvoq

Upper respiratory tract infection (25%)
Acne (16%)
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection (8%)
Headache (6%)

Note: Side effects listed were reported by people who took Rinvoq for eczema.

Warnings for Rinvoq

Serious infections
Possible higher risk of death for people with rheumatoid arthritis
Risk of cancer
Possible risk of heart attack, stroke, and other blood clots
Severe allergic reaction
Stomach and gut tears
Abnormal lab results (e.g., blood cell counts, cholesterol levels)
Possible harm to unborn babies
Medication in stool

Summary for Humira

Prescription only

Humira (adalimumab) is an injection used to treat many different autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis. As a TNF blocker, the medication works by blocking a protein that causes inflammation in your body. It's given as a shot under the skin once every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your condition. Humira (adalimumab) doesn't have a true generic, but there are several similar versions called biosimilars. Common side effects include infections, injection site reactions, and headache.

Indications for Humira

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - adults only
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) - people age 2 and older
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) - adults only
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) - adults only
Crohn's disease (CD) - people age 6 and older
Ulcerative colitis (UC) - people age 5 and older
Plaque psoriasis - adults only
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) - people age 12 and older
Uveitis - people age 2 and older

Pros and Cons for Humira

Pros

Can be used for many autoimmune conditions
Available as a ready-to-use pen that makes it easier to self-inject at home
Can be used in young children (as young as 2 years old for some conditions)
Only needs to be injected a couple times a month
Can be left at room temperature for up to 14 days if needed

Cons

Raises the risk of serious infections
Can take a few weeks or longer to work
Might be difficult to inject for some people
Can't receive any live vaccines while taking the medication
Might contain rubber or latex, which can cause a reaction for those with an allergy

Common Side Effects for Humira

Injection-site reaction (20%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (17%)
Headache (12%)
Rash (12%)
Sinus inflammation (11%)
Accidental injury (10%)
Nausea (9%)
Urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection (8%)

Note: The side effects listed above were reported by adults with rheumatoid arthritis and are similar to those seen in people using Humira (adalimumab) for other conditions.