Humira Mechanism of Action & Uses

Questions and Answers

List the nine conditions for which Humira is indicated.

Chronh's Disease, Pediatric Chronh's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Plaque Psoriasis.

What is a biologic agent?

A biologic agent is a substance made from a living organism or its products and it is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of disease.

Describe the mechanism of action of Humira.

It blocks the activity of TNF in two ways: it binds to free TNF alpha, blocking it from interacting with cell receptors and destroys surface TNF expressing cells in the presence of complement.

List two major differences between Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis.

CD can affect any part of the GI tract; UC only occurs in the colon and/or rectum. UC is generally restricted to the mucosal layer; CD can affect all layers of the organs. Signup and view all the answers

What are the common symptoms of polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

Joint Swelling, tenderness, warmth & limitation of movement. Signup and view all the answers

Ankylosing Spondylitis affects which parts of the body?

The Sacroiliac joints & spine. Signup and view all the answers

What is psoriasis?

Inflammatory disease in which cells grow rapidly accumulating in the skin causing solid, elevated skin lesions called plaques. Signup and view all the answers

Is the needle of the Humira Pen covered by the gray cap?

True Signup and view all the answers

List the acceptable injection sites for Humira.

Front of the thighs & lower abdomen two inches away from the navel. Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take for the entire dose of Humira to enter the body during an injection?

Up to 10 seconds. Signup and view all the answers

How should a patient dispose of the Humira Pen?

Leave the needle on & dispose in an FDA approved sharps container. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended maintenance dose schedule for Humira patients with moderate to severe RA?

40 mg Every Other Week. Signup and view all the answers

Humira carries indications for a number of conditions. List them.

Mod to Severe RA, JIA in patients over 2 years, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn's Disease, Pediatric Crohn's Disease in patients 6 years and older, Ulcerative Colitis, Plaque Psoriasis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Signup and view all the answers

Several biologics target TNF and are indicated for treating RA. List some examples.

Infliximab (Remicade), Etanercept (Enbrel), Golimumab (Simponi), Certolizumab (Cimzia). Signup and view all the answers

What are the available dosage strengths and delivery devices for Humira?

40 mg in 0.8 ml, 20 mg in 0.4 ml, 10 mg in 0.2 ml prefilled syringes. Signup and view all the answers

List three drugs that can be administered with Humira when treating patients with RA, according to the Humira PI.

MTX, DMARDs, Sulfasalazine, Hydroxychloroquine, Corticosteroids, NSAIDs & Analgesics. Signup and view all the answers

The Humira has a box warning concerning two issues. What are they?

Serious infections & malignancies. Signup and view all the answers

The Humira PI doesn't recommend concurrent use of Humira and either Abatacept or Anakinra. Why?

Concurrent use was associated with a greater proportion of serious infections & neutropenia with no added benefit. Signup and view all the answers

What are the most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials of Humira?

Injection Site Reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is immunogenicity? Is Humira immunogenic?

Immunogenicity is the ability of a substance to elicit a detectable immune response. Yes, HUMIRA is immunogenic (Antibodies for Humira were detected in clinical trials). Signup and view all the answers

TNF blockers have been associated with the onset or worsening of certain demyelinating diseases. Name two.

Multiple Sclerosis, Optic Neuritis & Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Humira Indications

Indicated for nine conditions: Crohn's Disease, Pediatric Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, and Plaque Psoriasis.

Biologic Agents

Biologic agents are substances derived from living organisms, used for prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of diseases.

Mechanism of Action

Humira works by blocking TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) activity through:
- Binding to free TNF alpha, preventing interaction with cell receptors.
- Destroying TNF-expressing cells when complement is present.

Crohn's Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn's Disease (CD) can affect any part of the GI tract, while Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is limited to the colon and rectum.
UC begins in the rectum and moves proximally; CD may have skip lesions and inflames all organ layers (transmural), whereas UC primarily affects the mucosal layer.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Symptoms

Common symptoms include joint swelling, tenderness, warmth, and movement limitations.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Primarily affects the sacroiliac joints and the spine.

Psoriasis

Characterized as an inflammatory disease causing rapid skin cell growth, leading to solid plaque lesions.

Humira Pen Features

The Humira Pen needle is covered by a gray cap.

Injection Sites for Humira

Acceptable sites include the front thighs and lower abdomen, at least two inches away from the navel.

Injection Dosage Administration

The entire dose of Humira is delivered within 10 seconds during an injection.

Disposal of Humira Pen

The Humira Pen should be disposed of with the needle attached in an FDA-approved sharps container.

Maintenance Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Recommended maintenance dose of Humira for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis is 40 mg every other week.

Available Biologics Targeting TNF

Examples include Infliximab (Remicade), Etanercept (Enbrel), Golimumab (Simponi), and Certolizumab (Cimzia).

Humira Dosage and Delivery

Available doses: 40 mg in 0.8 ml, 20 mg in 0.4 ml, and 10 mg in 0.2 ml prefilled syringes.

Combination Therapy with Humira

Can be administered with Methotrexate, DMARDs, Sulfasalazine, Hydroxychloroquine, Corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and analgesics when treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Box Warning

Humira has warnings for serious infections and malignancies.

Concurrent Use Recommendations

Concurrent use of Humira with Abatacept or Anakinra is discouraged due to increased risk of serious infections and neutropenia without additional benefit.

Common Adverse Reactions

The most frequently reported adverse reaction in clinical trials is injection site reactions.

Immunogenicity

Immunogenicity refers to the ability of a substance to elicit an immune response. Humira is immunogenic, with detectable antibodies found in clinical trials.

Demyelinating Diseases and TNF Blockers

Use of TNF blockers has been linked to worsening of certain demyelinating diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis, Optic Neuritis, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the mechanism of action and administration details of Humira, a biologic agent used to treat various conditions. Participants will review specific indications for Humira and understand what constitutes a biologic agent. Perfect for healthcare professionals and students studying pharmacology.