Humira® (adalimumab) uses, dosing, side effects, and savings

What Humira® Is and How It Works

Humira® (adalimumab) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor used for immune-mediated diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and certain uveitis. Most adults use a subcutaneous injection every other week. Many conditions start with a loading dose. People compare Humira cost across pharmacies, and some ask about humira cost per month without insurance to plan therapy. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

To keep prices low, we also work with licensed, vetted international partner pharmacies that supply authentic brand medications, offering a broad selection at affordable rates. Humira is supplied as a prefilled pen or prefilled syringe in single-use units. The drug binds TNF-α, reducing inflammation that drives joint damage, skin plaques, and bowel symptoms. For background on joint disease, see Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Dosage and Usage

• Common adult maintenance dose for rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis: 40 mg subcutaneously every other week. Some patients need weekly dosing.
• Ankylosing spondylitis: often 40 mg every other week after prescriber-directed initiation.
• Plaque psoriasis: prescribers may use an 80 mg loading dose, then 40 mg every other week.
• Hidradenitis suppurativa: higher initial dosing is typical (e.g., 160 mg, then 80 mg), with weekly maintenance in many cases.
• Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: induction commonly 160 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on Day 15, then 40 mg every other week; some require weekly maintenance.
• Pediatric dosing varies by weight and condition; clinicians set the schedule.
• Administration is subcutaneous into the thigh or abdomen; rotate sites and avoid tender, bruised, or scarred areas.
• Missed dose: inject as soon as remembered, then resume the usual schedule as directed by the prescriber.
• Let the pen or syringe warm at room temperature for 15–30 minutes before use; do not microwave or run under hot water.
• Inspect the solution; it should be clear to slightly opalescent and colorless to pale yellow, without particles.
• Single-use only; do not recap needles. Dispose of used devices in an approved sharps container.
• The needle cover on some presentations contains natural rubber latex; those with latex sensitivity should discuss suitable options.

• Store refrigerated at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F) in the original carton; protect from light; do not freeze or shake.
• When traveling, use an insulated bag with cold packs. Keep the device dry and away from heat sources.
• Humira may be kept at room temperature up to 25 °C (77 °F) for a single period of up to 14 days; do not return to the fridge once removed.
• Do not use if frozen, discolored, or containing flakes or large particles.
• Keep out of reach of children. Do not share pens or syringes.
• For shipping, you can choose prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to maintain temperature control.

Benefits and Savings

Humira can reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in inflammatory arthritis and help protect joints from structural damage. Many patients with plaque psoriasis see skin clearance or marked improvement. In Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, adalimumab can induce and maintain remission, reduce steroid use, and improve quality of life. Dosing is usually every other week, which adds convenience compared with some clinic-based infusions.

Ordering from Canada often means significant savings. Expect 60–80% lower prices versus typical US pharmacy costs, depending on strength and pack size. Some patients compare options without insurance and choose multi-month supplies to lower the per-month cost. Reorder reminders help prevent gaps in therapy, and larger packs or bulk promotions can reduce monthly spend.

For occasional promotions, see our humira pen coupon information. No codes are required on the page.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection-site reactions (redness, itching, rash, pain, or swelling)
• Upper respiratory symptoms (sinusitis, sore throat, cough)
• Headache or dizziness
• Nausea or abdominal discomfort
• Rash or pruritus
• Back pain or musculoskeletal pain
• Fatigue

Serious risks include severe infections (bacterial, tuberculosis, opportunistic fungal), reactivation of hepatitis B, certain malignancies including lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, demyelinating disease, new or worsening heart failure, cytopenias, and lupus-like syndrome. Screening for latent TB is standard before therapy. Avoid live vaccines during treatment. Report persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, shortness of breath, or unusual bruising to a healthcare professional promptly.

Onset Time

Many patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis notice improvements in pain and stiffness within 2–4 weeks, with continued gains over 8–12 weeks. Skin responses in plaque psoriasis may start in 2–4 weeks, with maximal results by 12–16 weeks. In Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, symptom relief can appear by Week 2–4, with remission often assessed at Weeks 8–12. Hidradenitis suppurativa can take longer; reductions in flares may build over several months.

Compare With Alternatives

Adalimumab biosimilars offer comparable efficacy and safety to the reference product at lower prices. If a clinician approves a switch, a biosimilar may cut monthly costs while maintaining disease control. You can discuss availability alongside Humira at checkout.

Some patients consider Rymti® Pre Filled Injection, an adalimumab biosimilar, which can support similar treatment goals at a lower acquisition cost. Others use etanercept, a weekly TNF inhibitor; see Enbrel® Pre Filled Syringe for details on that option and device style.

Mechanistically distinct agents, such as IL-12/23 or IL-23 inhibitors, are alternatives for psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease when TNF inhibitors are unsuitable. For background reading on treatment classes, our article Arthritis Drugs explains common categories and goals of care.

Combination Therapy

• Methotrexate is often combined with adalimumab in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis to improve response and reduce antibody formation.
• Conventional DMARDs (e.g., leflunomide, sulfasalazine) may be used with careful monitoring.
• Short-term corticosteroids can bridge symptom control until biologic effect is established; tapering is common once stable.
• In inflammatory bowel disease, 5-ASA, budesonide, or immunomodulators may be co-prescribed according to disease severity and history.
• Combining two biologics or biologic plus JAK inhibitor is generally avoided due to infection risk; clinicians individualize exceptions.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Humira may be considered for adults and children with moderate to severe inflammatory disease who have not responded adequately to conventional therapy, or where rapid disease control is needed. It is not appropriate for those with active severe infections. Caution is advised in chronic or recurrent infection, demyelinating disease, moderate to severe heart failure, or untreated latent tuberculosis.

Before starting, clinicians often screen for TB and hepatitis B, update non-live immunizations, and review cancer history and skin surveillance. Patients with latex sensitivity should confirm the presentation used. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss risk versus benefit with their healthcare professional.

To manage costs, consider a biosimilar, choose multi-month supplies to reduce per-month pricing, and set reorder reminders to avoid urgent local purchases. If comparing options without insurance, biosimilars and larger pack sizes often provide the best value at Canadian prices.

Authoritative Sources

AbbVie Humira product information

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Adalimumab

FDA Prescribing Information for Humira

Order Humira® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient information that comes with your medication.