Yusimry
Yusimry (adalimumab or adalimumab-aqvh) is an injectable medication that treats many autoimmune conditions, including certain types of arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and plaque psoriasis. It's approved by the FDA as a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab).
What is Yusimry (adalimumab)?
What is Yusimry (adalimumab) used for?
- 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) - adults only
- Plaque psoriasis - adults only
- Hidradenitis suppurativa - adults only
- Uveitis - adults only
How Yusimry (adalimumab) works
Yusimry (adalimumab) is a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It works by blocking tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a protein in your body that plays a role in inflammation. By blocking TNF, Yusimry (adalimumab) lowers inflammation to relieve symptoms in different parts of your body.
Drug facts
Side effects of Yusimry (adalimumab)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- 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%)
Less Common Side Effects
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Back pain
- Stomach pain
- Hair loss
- Blood in the urine
- Flu-like symptoms
Yusimry (adalimumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious infection: fever, cough, weight loss, muscle aches, dark urine, chills, vomiting
- Low blood cell counts: fever that doesn't go away, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin
- Severe allergic reaction: rash, trouble breathing, swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or mouth, hives
- Heart failure: shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, irregular heartbeat, tiredness, sudden weight gain
- Liver problems: feeling tired, vomiting, yellow skin or whites of the eyes, stomach pain
The following Yusimry (adalimumab) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Body aches or pain
ear congestion
hoarseness
lightheadedness
loss of voice
lower back or side pain
muscle aches and pains
pain or tenderness around the eyes or cheekbones
rapid and sometimes shallow breathing
shivering
stomach fullness
sunken eyes
thirst
trouble sleeping
warmth on the skin
wrinkled skin
Less common
Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
agitation
arm, back, or jaw pain
black, tarry stools
bleeding from the gums or nose
blindness
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blood in the stool or change in bowel habits
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
broken bones
change in size, shape, or color of an existing mole
change in skin color
chest pain, tightness, or heaviness
chills
clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
cold hands and feet
confusion
coughing or spitting up blood
decreased urination
decreased vision
difficulty with breathing
difficulty, burning, or painful urination
dimpling of the breast skin
dizziness
drowsiness
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
forgetfulness
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of illness
headache
increased thirst
inverted nipple
irregular breathing
irregular pulse
irritability
light colored stools
loss of appetite
lump in the breast or under your arm
lump or swelling in the stomach
mole that leaks fluid or bleeds
muscle cramps or spasms
new mole
night sweats
no blood pressure or pulse
noisy breathing
numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, or face
pain, redness, or swelling in the arms or legs without any injury present
pale skin
persistent non-healing sore on your skin
pink growth
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
raised, firm, or bright red patch
redness or swelling of the breast
seeing or hearing things that are not there
seizures
sharp back pain just below your ribs
shiny bump on your skin
slurred speech or problems with swallowing
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or mouth
spitting up blood
stiff neck
stomach pain
stopping of the heart
sudden high fever or low grade fever for months
sweating
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
swollen glands
swollen neck veins
tiredness
trouble breathing
trouble thinking
unconsciousness
unexplained bruising or bleeding
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
visual disturbances
vomiting
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
yellow skin or eyes
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
inability to move the arms and legs
joint or muscle pain
pinpoint red spots on the skin
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
red, scaling, or crusted skin
sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
unusual bleeding or bruising
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Bladder pain
bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
pounding in the ears
Less common
Abnormal healing
decrease in height
difficulty with moving
difficulty with walking
indigestion
loss of hearing
loss of strength or energy
menstrual changes
muscle or joint stiffness, tightness, or rigidity
muscle pain or weakness
pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, and feet
swelling or redness in the joints
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
Pros and cons of Yusimry (adalimumab)
Pros
- Works treat several autoimmune conditions
- Only injected once a week or every other week
- Not made with natural rubber latex, which is good for people with latex allergies
- Can be stored at room temperature for up to 14 days if needed
- Doesn't contain citrate, so injections might be less painful compared to other adalimumab products
Cons
- Raises the risk for serious infections
- Can't receive any live vaccines while using the medication
- Currently only available as a prefilled syringe, and not available as an autoinjector
- Injections can be uncomfortable for some people
- Can worsen some medical conditions (e.g., heart failure, nerve problems)
Pharmacist tips for Yusimry (adalimumab)
- Before using Yusimry (adalimumab) at home, you should receive injection training from your healthcare provider or care team. If you haven't, contact the clinic or call 1-800-483-3692. Don't try to give yourself an Yusimry (adalimumab) injection until you're comfortable doing it safely and properly.
- Mark your calendar when your dose of Yusimry (adalimumab) is due to help you remember to take it. If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as possible and then continue with your regular dosing schedule.
- When ready for your injection, take Yusimry (adalimumab) out of the refrigerator and let it warm up to room temperature for about 15 to 30 minutes. This will help reduce discomfort with the injection. Don't warm it up by putting it in the microwave or hot water because this could damage the medication.
- Keep unused Yusimry (adalimumab) in the refrigerator. But you can keep Yusimry (adalimumab) at room temperature for up to 14 days. Just make sure to throw it away after 14 days because it might not work as well.
- Throw away used needles and syringes in a sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries. Check your local laws and guidelines for how to dispose of your container once it's almost full.
Common questions about Yusimry (adalimumab)
Yusimry (adalimumab) is a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab). This means that it works the same way as Humira (adalimumab). Biosimilars are kind of like generics, but they aren't exactly the same. Both medications treat similar autoimmune conditions, but Yusimry (adalimumab) isn't FDA approved to treat all age groups within a condition that Humira (adalimumab) is. Only Humira (adalimumab) is FDA approved to treat lumps under the skin (hidradenitis suppurativa) and uveitis (inflammation in the middle layer of the eye) in children and adults, while Yusimry (adalimumab) is approved to treat adults only for that condition.
In clinical studies with Humira (adalimumab), a medication very similar to Yusimry (adalimumab), 71% of people taking it saw at least a 75% improvement in their psoriasis symptoms after 16 weeks of treatment. This was compared to 7% of people who didn't take the medication. Yusimry (adalimumab) has been proven in additional studies to work similarly to Humira (adalimumab) for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.
Yusimry (adalimumab) is FDA approved for use in children 2 years and older for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and 6 years and older for Crohn's disease (CD). But, right now it's only approved to be used in children 66 lbs and over for JIA, and 88 lbs and over for CD. Discuss with your child's healthcare provider about the best medication for your child.
Yusimry (adalimumab) is injected in the fatty area under your skin, either on the front of your thighs or your lower stomach. If you inject into your stomach, make sure the area is at least 2 inches away from your belly button. To allow your skin to heal, be sure to rotate your injection sites each time. And avoid injecting the medication into skin that's red, bruised, or broken.
It's okay to receive some vaccines, but you should avoid live vaccines. This is because it's not known if they're safe or work well while you're taking Yusimry (adalimumab). Some examples of live vaccines include FluMist (nasal spray flu vaccine), YF-Vax (yellow fever vaccine), and MMR II (measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine). It's recommended to bring your child up to date with their vaccines before starting Yusimry (adalimumab). Before receiving any vaccine, ask your provider or pharmacist first if it's a live vaccine, and let them know you're taking Yusimry (adalimumab).
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for Yusimry (adalimumab)
Yusimry (adalimumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious infections
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that weaken the immune system | Age 65 years or older | Active, long-term, or an infection that keeps coming back | Traveling to high risk areas | Having other conditions that raise the risk of infection
Yusimry (adalimumab) can raise your risk of serious or life-threatening infections. Your risk might be higher if you're 65 years or older, taking other medications that can weaken the immune system (e.g., methotrexate, Orencia (abatacept), Kineret (anakinra), corticosteroids), and or have other health conditions. Talk with your provider about your past medical history before starting Yusimry (adalimumab). Especially let them know if you've ever had tuberculosis or hepatitis B. They'll review your risk before starting the medication. If you develop an infection while taking Yusimry (adalimumab), you might have to stop the medication in order to give your immune system a chance to fight the infection.
Cancers
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that weaken the immune system | History of cancer | People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a history of smoking
In clinical trials, more cancers were observed in people taking a medication similar to Yusimry (adalimumab) when compared to people not them. Cancers like lymphoma, leukemia, and skin cancers were the most commonly reported types in people who used that medication. Your provider will evaluate your risk before starting Yusimry (adalimumab) and monitor you while you're taking it. Discuss any concerns you have with your provider.
Severe allergic reactions
Although rare, Yusimry (adalimumab) can cause life-threatening allergic reactions like anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). If you experience hives, rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling in your face or throat, get medical help right away.
Nervous system effects
- Risk factors: Currently have or recently developed a nervous system condition
Rarely, Yusimry (adalimumab) can cause you to develop conditions that affect your nervous system, like multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Let your provider know if you currently have nerve problems. They'll want to monitor you closely while you're taking Yusimry (adalimumab), since it can make these problems worse. If you notice numbness or tingling, weakness in your arms or legs, vision problems, or dizziness, call your provider.
Low blood cell counts
There have been reports of people having low blood cells while taking medications like Yusimry (adalimumab). Having low blood cells can affect your body's ability to fight infections and raise your risk for bleeding. Contact your provider if you develop a fever that doesn't go away, easy bruising, pale skin, or bleeding.
Heart failure
People taking medications like Yusimry (adalimumab) have had new or worsening cases of heart failure. If you currently have heart failure, your provider can help you decide if Yusimry (adalimumab) is right for you. Let your provider know if you start to have shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, irregular heartbeat, or tiredness or weakness, as these can be signs of heart failure.
Lupus-like syndrome
Rarely, Yusimry (adalimumab) can cause a condition called lupus-like syndrome. Call your provider if you experience easy bruising or bleeding, a rash, or feel unusually tired.
Yusimry (adalimumab) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 pens of 40mg/0.8ml | 1 carton | $1,200.25 | $1,200.25 |
Typical dosage for Yusimry (adalimumab)
Adults
- Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis: The typical starting dose is 40 mg injected under the skin every other week.
- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: The typical dose is 160 mg injected under the skin on Day 1, followed by 80 mg on Day 15, then 40 mg every other week starting Day 29.
- Plaque psoriasis and uveitis: The typical dose is 80 mg injected under the skin on Day 1, followed by 40 mg every other week starting 1 week after the first dose.
- Hidradenitis suppurativa: The typical dose is 160 mg injected under the skin on Day 1, followed by 80 mg on Day 15, then 40 mg every week OR 80 mg every other week starting Day 29.
Children
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and Crohn's disease: The dose will be based on your child's body weight. Typically it will be injected under the skin once every other week.
Interactions between Yusimry (adalimumab) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abatacept
- Adenovirus Vaccine
- Anakinra
- Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
- Infliximab
- Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
- Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
- Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
- Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
- Rilonacept
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
- Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Smallpox Vaccine
- Tofacitinib
- Typhoid Vaccine, Live
- Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
- Zoster Vaccine, Live
How much does Yusimry (adalimumab) cost?
$1,200.25
What are alternatives to Yusimry (adalimumab)?
