8 Humira Side Effects You Should Know About

If you feel like you’re meeting more people in recent years who’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, it’s not just you. They’re becoming more common worldwide.

Many medications are being developed for autoimmune disorders, too. Humira (adalimumab) is the most prescribed biologic medication for autoimmune disorders in adults and kids. An injectable tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker, it treats rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and more. It eases symptoms by lowering inflammation, which helps protect your tissues and joints from damage. What’s more, several lower cost versions of Humira, called biosimilars, are on deck to be released throughout 2023.

Here, we’ll cover eight Humira side effects. For many people, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. Talk with your healthcare provider to decide if Humira is right for you.

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1. Injection site reactions

The most common side effect of Humira are injection site reactions; they may affect up to 37% of people receiving the medication. If this happens to you, you’ll likely notice some skin redness or irritation near where Humira was injected. Swelling and pain are also possible. It happens most often during the first month of treatment.

The good news is newer Humira products have been reformulated in a way to make them less irritating. Specifically, they’re citrate-free, which has helped to limit irritation.

Here are a few tips that might also help ease discomfort from your injections:

• Bring your Humira injection to room temperature before injecting it. Let it sit outside of the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Colder injections hurt more.

• Numb your skin by applying a cold compress to the area for about 15 minutes before the injection.

• Rotate injection sites by at least 1 inch. You can also consider injecting into your thigh instead of just your stomach.

Reach out to your healthcare provider if your skin is still irritated a few days after your dose, or if this continues being a problem for you.

2. A higher risk for infection

Humira works by intentionally lowering your immune response. But there’s a downside: your immune system also has a weaker response to germs that make you sick. So you may be more likely to catch a bug or the latest cold that’s going around. Skin or urinary tract infections are possible, too.

More serious infections can also happen. Because of this, the FDA requires biologic products, like Humira, to have a boxed warning — their most serious medication warning — about their infection risk.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one concern for people taking Humira. That’s why your healthcare provider will check and see if you have TB before starting a biologic. Fungal infections are another rare but serious concern. The risk for infections is greater if you’re an older adult or take other medications that weaken your immune system.

Follow these steps to help stay safe:

• Make sure your vaccines are up to date before starting Humira, including your annual flu shot.

• Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

• Consider extra precautions when you’re in crowded places, such as wearing a face mask.

As a precaution, reach out to your healthcare provider if you feel like you’re coming down with symptoms of an infection. But make sure to get medical care sooner if you have more serious symptoms, including:

• Fever (100.4℉ or greater)

• Bad cough or trouble breathing

• Burning or pain when you pee

• Rash that has swelling or drainage

3. Headaches

Headaches are another common side effect of Humira. In fact, about 12% of people treated with Humira were bothered by them in initial studies.

If you’re having headaches, be mindful of common triggers, like dehydration or skipping meals. To feel better, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), for short-term symptom relief. But make sure to ask your healthcare provider to recommend a product that’s safe to take with your other medications and health conditions.

4. Skin rashes

In clinical studies, people treated with Humira were twice as likely to develop a skin rash than people taking a placebo (a substance with no medication in it). Most rashes were mild and didn’t lead to treatment interruptions.

If you develop a rash during treatment with Humira, chances are it’s nothing serious — it might not even be related to Humira. There are many possible causes for skin rashes, including allergies, infection, and autoimmune disorders. But to be safe, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about any new, unexplained rashes you develop. They can help you figure out the cause and how to treat it.

5. Hepatitis B reactivation

If you’ve had hepatitis B in the past, the virus can reactivate in your body after starting a biologic like Humira. Meaning, your immune system might not be strong enough to keep the virus in check. So the virus could become active again and make you sick.

Before you start the medication, your healthcare provider will check your blood work for signs of hepatitis B. If you have antibodies to hepatitis B through vaccination, then you’re considered immune and protected. But if the virus is still present in your bloodstream, then you might be at risk for reactivation. Your provider will consider this risk when deciding if Humira is right for you.

6. Skin cancer

Studies show that people taking biologics like Humira have close to a two times higher risk for being diagnosed with a non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Basal cell and squamous cell are the two main types. They’re also the most common types of cancer in general.

Thankfully, NMSCs are highly treatable when caught early. Older people with lighter skin who’ve had a lot of sun (or tanning bed) exposure have the highest risk. But anyone can get skin cancer. Discuss this risk with your healthcare provider and follow their recommendations for skin cancer screenings and sun precautions.

Keep in mind: This risk isn’t unique to Humira. Some non-biologic medications used to treat autoimmune diseases, like methotrexate, can also increase your risk for skin cancer.

7. Lymphoma

Lymphomas are a type of cancer that starts in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. The FDA requires a boxed warning on TNF blockers, like Humira, because lymphoma cases have been reported in adults taking these treatments. Rarely, cases have also occurred in children and adolescents.

However, results from many clinical studies have been reassuring. A 2016 study of 15,000 people with RA found no link between TNF blockers and lymphoma. Similarly, a 2018 study found no increased cancer risk in the nearly 16,000 children treated with TNF blockers.

One thing is clear from both of these studies. People with RA and other autoimmune disorders have a higher risk for cancer, including lymphomas, even without treatment. Make sure your healthcare provider knows your full medical and family history before starting Humira.

8. Immune reactions

Although rare, it’s possible for Humira to trigger antibodies against your own body. This could lead to autoimmune-related side effects, including:

• Liver damage or inflammation

• Drug-induced lupus

• Nerve problems, including multiple sclerosis

Antibodies that attack Humira can also develop. These are called antidrug antibodies, and they can block Humira from working. Tell your healthcare provider if Humira doesn’t seem to be working like it used to. They may check your blood for anti-Humira antibodies before deciding on a change in treatment or Humira dose.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about Humira side effects?

Managing autoimmune disorders can be tricky. It’s common to try different treatments or combinations before finding something that works for you. So in general, it’s a good idea to keep your healthcare provider in the loop if you’re bothered by any new or existing problems.

Still, more serious side effects are possible with Humira. Seek medical care right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Trouble breathing

• Swelling in the face, arms, or legs

• Hives

• A widespread rash

• Burning or pain when you pee

• High fever with night sweats

How to save on Humira

There are ways to save on Humira, which is available as a reference (brand-name) biologic and several biosimilars. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase two adalimumab-adbm pens at an exclusive cash price of $550.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Humira using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Humira’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Daphne Berryhill, RPh

Daphne Berryhill, RPh, has two decades of experience as a clinical pharmacist. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area practicing in-home infusion.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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