Key takeaways:
Humira (adalimumab) is an injection given under your skin once a week or every other week. You can inject it into your stomach or thighs. But be sure to rotate the injection site with each dose.
Take Humira out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before injecting it. This lets it come to room temperature, which can reduce pain. Don’t forget to wash your hands, clean the injection site, and place your used Humira pen or syringe into a sharps container.
Keep Humira in the fridge, and make sure it doesn’t freeze. If needed, a Humira pen or syringe can stay at room temperature for up to 14 days.
There are many ways to save on Humira. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you get Humira for as little as $0 per month. A patient assistance program is also available.
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Humira (adalimumab) is a biologic medication used to manage certain autoimmune conditions. It’s injected once weekly or every other week. You’ll be trained on how to inject Humira before you give yourself injections at home. But it can still feel a bit overwhelming to manage Humira injections on your own.
If you feel uncertain about the steps or you’re having trouble with your Humira injections, have no fear. We’ve got you covered with six pharmacist-backed tips on how to inject Humira.
1. Where to inject Humira
You have two different Humira injection sites to choose from: your stomach or the front of your thighs. Which you choose depends on personal preference. Just be sure the skin isn’t broken or bruised, and stay away from any moles, tattoos, or scars. In the stomach, you should inject at least 2 inches away from your belly button.
You should pick a different spot each time you inject Humira. For example, if you inject into the left side of your stomach, choose the right side of your stomach for the next dose. This helps reduce skin irritation and scarring.
2. How to inject Humira
Humira is injected into the fatty tissue under your skin. It comes in two forms: an auto-injection pen or a prefilled syringe. Each form contains just one dose of Humira — they aren’t reusable.
Here are the steps for a successful Humira injection:
Find a clean workspace and gather your supplies. A table or countertop are good options. You’ll need your Humira dose, alcohol swabs, and a sharps container. A cotton ball and bandage may also be helpful.
Examine your Humira. Make sure the expiration date hasn’t passed and the device isn’t damaged or broken. Check to make sure the liquid is clear and there’s nothing floating in it. If the medication is expired, cloudy, or has particles in it, don’t inject it. Contact your pharmacy about getting a replacement.
Wash and dry your hands. Antibacterial soap is best, and be sure to scrub for a full 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice). You can also use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
Prepare the injection site. Using a circulation motion, wipe the injection site with an alcohol swab. Once you’ve cleaned the area, don’t blow on it or wave at it. Let it dry naturally before injecting your dose.
Prepare your dose.
Humira pen: Hold the pen in the middle, with the gray cap pointing up. Gently pull the gray cap straight up. Then remove the bottom, plum-colored cap by pulling it straight down. Once both caps are off, turn the pen so the plum-colored button is on top.
Humira prefilled syringe: Hold the syringe with one hand. Gently pull off the needle cover with the other hand. Turn the syringe so the needle is facing up — be careful not to touch the needle. Slowly push the plunger to remove any extra air from the syringe. It’s okay if a drop of liquid appears at the needle tip.Inject your dose.
Humira pen: Gently pinch the area you’re injecting. Press the white end of the pen flat against your skin at a 90-degree angle. Then press the plum-colored activator button. You should hear a loud click — this means your injection has started. You’ll see a yellow bar move down the clear pen window. Your injection is complete once the yellow bar is in full view and stops moving — about 10 seconds. Remove the pen from your body (a sleeve will pop out to cover the needle). Place the pen directly into your sharps container.
Humira prefilled syringe: Gently pinch the area you’re injecting. Hold the syringe like a pencil and use a fast, dart-like motion to insert the needle at a 45-degree angle. Let go of the pinched skin and slowly push the plunger until the syringe is empty. Remove the needle and put it directly into your sharps container.Apply pressure. Hold a cotton ball over the injection site for 10 seconds. Don’t rub or massage the area. Some bleeding is normal. Apply a bandage to the site if needed.
Good to know: If you’re using a Humira biosimilar, the instructions for injecting it may differ from what’s described above. Be sure to follow your healthcare team’s instructions and ask questions if you’re unsure how to inject your medication.
3. How to make Humira injections less painful
Injection site reactions, such as pain or swelling, are the most common Humira side effects. But there are several ways to reduce your discomfort:
Allow Humira to come to room temperature. Take Humira out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before your injection. It tends to sting more when you inject cold medication. So letting Humira come to room temperature first can make the injection less painful. But never try to warm Humira by placing it in the microwave or running it under hot water.
Ice the injection site. This helps numb the area you’re injecting. Just don’t forget to wipe the area with alcohol after it’s numb.
Rotate injection sites. It’s best to rotate your injection sites. You can switch between your thighs and stomach or alternate sides of your body.
Choose an injection site around your stomach. Stomach injections are less painful than thigh injections for most people.
Slow down your injection. If using the Humira prefilled syringes, try slowing down the injection. Pushing too hard or fast on the plunger can lead to more discomfort.
Change Humira formulations. Ask your prescriber about switching from the prefilled syringe to the Humira pen. Humira pens deliver your dose over a set amount of time to help minimize discomfort. Also, the original Humira formulation contains citrate and has an injection volume of 0.8 mL. But Humira Citrate-free comes with a smaller needle and a smaller amount of liquid (0.4 mL). As a result, injections are less painful with the citrate-free formulation. Ask your prescriber about switching if painful injections are a concern for you.
If your Humira injections are still painful despite these tips, talk with your healthcare team for next steps. They can evaluate your injection technique and help determine what’s causing your discomfort.
4. The best time to inject Humira is what works for your schedule
Your prescriber will tell you how often to inject Humira. It’s usually injected once a week or every other week. The day of the week or time of day you inject Humira doesn’t matter. But it’s best to be consistent with it. So pick a day and time that works best for you. It may help to write it down or use a medication reminder app to help you remember.
If you need to change the day you inject Humira, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist for guidance.
5. What to do if you miss a Humira injection
If you miss your dose of Humira, inject it as soon as you remember. You can resume your regular schedule when your next dose is due. But if it’s close to your next dose, reach out to your pharmacist or prescriber for help getting back on track with your dosing schedule.
Recommended Humira (adalimumab) dosages: Pharmacists discuss how much Humira you should inject — and when.
Humira biosimilars — making the switch: Thinking about switching to a Humira biosimilar? Here are five questions to ask your pharmacist to see if a biosimilar is right for you.
Humira side effects: Learn what side effects to watch for during Humira treatment and when to seek medical care.
6. How to store Humira
You should keep Humira in the refrigerator until it’s time for your dose. Make sure it’s somewhere the temperature stays consistent (36°F to 46°F) and it won’t freeze. This means you should avoid keeping Humira in the door or on the top shelf of the fridge. If Humira freezes, you shouldn’t use it (even after it thaws).
You should also store Humira in its original packaging until you’re ready to use it, to protect it from light.
How should you store Humira when traveling?
You can store Humira at room temperature for up to 14 days. This can help when traveling or if you have plans outside your home at the time of your injection. But once you take Humira out of the fridge, it can’t go back in.
Make sure to record the date you removed the dose from the fridge on the Humira box. And only take out the doses you’ll need while away. After 14 days at room temperature, Humira is no longer OK to use.
It’s best to travel with Humira in a cooler with ice packs if:
You’ll be gone longer than 14 days
The temperature will be higher than 77℉ or below freezing where you’ll be
You’re unsure if you’ll need the dose while you’re away
If you’re flying, pack Humira in your carry-on and be sure to follow TSA guidelines for traveling with medications.
How to save on the cost of Humira
There are ways to save on Humira, which is available as a brand-name (reference) biologic medication. GoodRx can help you save money on your prescription.
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 cost.
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 biosimilars. Humira has several biosimilar medications that may be available at a lower cost or preferred by your insurance. Your healthcare team can help you navigate your options.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you should gently pinch up about an inch of skin and fatty tissue between your fingers before injecting Humira. This helps keep the needle from going into the underlying muscle and ensures it’s properly absorbed.
Headache is a common Humira side effect, but migraines weren’t specifically reported in clinical trials. A migraine is more than just a bad headache; it often causes throbbing pain on one side of the head, along with nausea or sensitivity to light or sound. If you have migraine-like headaches while taking Humira, let your prescriber know. They can help identify what’s causing them and suggest ways to manage or prevent them.
It’s best to take Humira out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before your injection. This allows it to come to room temperature, which can make your injection less painful. But don’t let Humira sit in direct sunlight or use heat or hot water to speed things up. Heat can damage the medication or device and stop it from working properly.
Yes, you should gently pinch up about an inch of skin and fatty tissue between your fingers before injecting Humira. This helps keep the needle from going into the underlying muscle and ensures it’s properly absorbed.
Headache is a common Humira side effect, but migraines weren’t specifically reported in clinical trials. A migraine is more than just a bad headache; it often causes throbbing pain on one side of the head, along with nausea or sensitivity to light or sound. If you have migraine-like headaches while taking Humira, let your prescriber know. They can help identify what’s causing them and suggest ways to manage or prevent them.
It’s best to take Humira out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before your injection. This allows it to come to room temperature, which can make your injection less painful. But don’t let Humira sit in direct sunlight or use heat or hot water to speed things up. Heat can damage the medication or device and stop it from working properly.
The bottom line
Humira (adalimumab) is a biologic medication used to manage certain autoimmune disorders. Your healthcare team will teach you how to inject Humira on your own at home. You can inject Humira into your stomach or thigh. Just be sure to rotate injection sites with each dose and avoid bruised, scarred, or wounded areas. Don’t forget to wash your hands, clean the injection site with alcohol, and place your used Humira pen or syringe into a sharps container for disposal. You can reduce pain by letting Humira come to room temperature before you inject it.
It doesn’t matter what day of the week or time of day you inject Humira. But consistency matters, so choose a day and time you can stick with. You should store Humira in the refrigerator. But it can be kept at room temperature for up to 14 days if you need to travel with it. Your healthcare team can answer any questions you have about injecting or storing Humira.
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References
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About handwashing.
Cordavis. (2025). Humira- adalimumab [package insert].
Humira. (2016). Instructions for use Humira (Hu-MARE-ah) (adalimumab) 40 MG/0.8 ML, 20 MG/0.4 ML AND 10 MG/0.2 ML single-use prefilled syringe.
Humira. (2016). Instructions for use Humira (Hu-MARE-ah) (adalimumab) 40 MG/0.8 ML single-use pen.
St Clair-Jones, A., et al. (2020). Understanding and minimising injection-site pain following subcutaneous administration of biologics: A narrative review. Rheumatology and Therapy.
MedlinePlus. (2025). Adalimumab injection.
Transportation Security Administration. (2017). TSA cares: Traveling with medication. [Video]. YouTube.
Usach, I., et al. (2019). Subcutaneous injection of drugs: Literature review of factors influencing pain sensation at the injection site. Advances in Therapy.
