Questions and Answers
What is Adalimumab (Humira)?
What is the pregnancy category of Adalimumab?
B
In which conditions is Adalimumab indicated?
Adalimumab acts by neutralizing and preventing the action of ______.
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What are some of the therapeutic effects of Adalimumab?
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What are some contraindications for using Adalimumab?
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Adalimumab may cause adverse reactions including ______, hypertension, and abdominal pain.
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What is the route of administration for Adalimumab?
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Study Notes
Adalimumab (Humira) Overview
- Adalimumab is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that interrupts complex immune responses to prevent disease progression.
- It is primarily used to slow joint degeneration and progression of rheumatoid arthritis and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Brand and Generic Names
- Adalimumab is known by the brand name Humira.
Classification
- Classified as an antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory agent.
- It falls under the category of monoclonal antibodies designed as DMARDs.
Pregnancy Category
- Classified as Category B, indicating no evidence of risk in human studies.
Indications for Use
- Effective for moderately to severely active:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (used alone or with methotrexate)
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Crohn's disease (when conventional therapy is ineffective)
- Ulcerative colitis (when immunosuppressants are ineffective)
- Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (age ≥4)
- Chronic plaque psoriasis (for candidates of systemic or phototherapy)
Mechanism of Action
- Neutralizes and prevents the action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), leading to anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects.
- Therapeutic effects include:
- Decreased pain and swelling
- Reduction in joint destruction and inflammatory processes in various arthritic conditions.
- Induction and maintenance of clinical remission in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Therapeutic Effects Detail
- Reduces levels of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, ESR, interleukin-6), alleviating joint inflammation.
- Targets overproduction of TNF-alpha by macrophages in rheumatoid joints, effectively managing the inflammatory events of polyarthritis.
Contraindications and Precautions
- Contraindicated in individuals with:
- Hypersensitivity to adalimumab or mannitol
- Active infections (acute or chronic)
- Concurrent use with anakinra or abatacept
- History of certain infections, malignancies, or CNS demyelinating disorders.
- Use cautiously in patients with previous infections or those at higher risk, including the elderly and pediatric patients (age <4).
Adverse Reactions and Side Effects
- Common side effects may include:
- CNS: Headache, Guillain-Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis.
- Cardiovascular: Hypertension.
- Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, nausea.
- Dermatological: Rash, psoriasis.
- Hematological: Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia.
- Local: Injection site reactions.
- Risk of serious infections and malignancies, including lymphoma and other cancers.
Clinical Uses
- Indicated for treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis to reduce disease progression, especially in patients unresponsive to other DMARDs.
Route and Dosage
- For rheumatoid arthritis, adults are typically administered 40 mg subcutaneously every other week; may adjust to weekly dosage if not on methotrexate.
Administration Guidelines
- Administered via subcutaneous injection.
- Screen for latent tuberculosis (TB) with a skin test prior to therapy initiation.
- Inspect prefilled syringes for abnormalities before use.
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Description
This quiz provides an overview of Adalimumab, its classification, indications for use, and effects on diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Test your knowledge on this important DMARD and its role in managing autoimmune conditions.
