HUMIRA single-use syringe instructions
HUMIRA is injected under the skin. It can be self-administered after proper training in injection technique, or given by your doctor or their assistant. Many people feel nervous the first time they give themselves an injection. That’s why it’s ok to ask a friend or relative for help, once they’ve been trained. Our support staff can also help by talking you through the injection steps. Call us on 0800 848 243.
Read through these instructions before handling the single-use syringe. Note that you can only use the single-use syringe once. The single-use syringe comes pre-loaded with the exact dose of medicine inside, ready to inject.
Read the instructions carefully and follow them step by step. These instructions explain how to self-inject this medicine.
Do not attempt to self-inject until you are sure that you understand how to prepare and give the injection.
Your doctor or their assistant will also show you best how to self-inject.
Do not mix the injection in the same syringe or vial with any other medicine.
Keep HUMIRA out of the sight and reach of children.
1. Remove the HUMIRA syringe from the refrigerator
Leave HUMIRA at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before injecting.
- Do not remove the needle cover while allowing HUMIRA to reach room temperature
- Do not warm HUMIRA in any other way (DO NOT warm it in the microwave or in hot water)
- Do not use the syringe if liquid has been frozen (even if thawed)
2. Check that the medicine is OK to use and set up a clean space
Check the expiry date on the syringe label.
Do not use the syringe if the expiry date has passed.
Place the following on a clean, flat surface:
- One Humira single-use syringe and alcohol pad
- One cotton ball or gauze pad (not included)
- Puncture-resistant sharps disposal container (not included)
Wash and dry your hands.
3. Choose an injection site
- Choose from an area, as shown, on the front of your thighs or your abdomen (belly) at least 5 cm from your navel (belly button)
- The site needs to be different from and at least 3 cm from your last injection site
- Wipe the injection site in a circular motion with the alcohol pad
- Do not inject into skin that is sore, bruised, red, hard, scarred, has stretch marks, or areas with psoriasis plaques
4. Remove the cap from the needle
Hold the syringe in one hand. Check the liquid in the pre-filled syringe. Make sure the liquid is clear and colourless.
Do not use the pre-filled syringe if the liquid is cloudy or has particles.
Gently pull the needle cover straight off with the other hand and throw the needle cover away. Do not touch the needle with your fingers or let the needle touch anything. You may see a drop of liquid at the end of the needle. This is normal.
5. Grip the syringe properly
Hold the body of the syringe in one hand between the thumb and index fingers, like you would a pencil. Gently squeeze the area of cleaned skin with your other hand and hold it firmly.
6. Give yourself the injection
Insert the needle into the skin at about a 45 degree angle using a ‘dart-like’ motion. After the needle is in, let go of the skin you are holding.
Slowly push the plunger all the way in until all of the liquid is injected and the syringe is empty.
7. Press a cotton ball or gauze strip over the injection site and hold it firmly
When the injection is completed, slowly pull the needle out of the skin while keeping the syringe at the same angle. After completing the injection, place a cotton ball or gauze pad on the skin of the injection site.
Do not rub. Slight bleeding at the injection site is normal.
8. Dispose of the used syringe in your sharps container
The Humira syringe should never be reused. Never recap a needle.
After injecting HUMIRA, immediately throw away the used syringe into a special ‘sharps’ container as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Keep this container out of reach and sight of children.
Please review the full instructions provided with your HUMIRA pre-filled single-use syringe for complete directions.
Please also review the Consumer Medicine Information at: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/h/humira.pdf.
You can also speak to your Healthcare Professional for further information.
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Who shouldn’t use HUMIRA?
- If you have an allergy to any medicine containing HUMIRA (adalimumab) or any of the product’s ingredients
- If you currently have a severe active infection for example, tuberculosis
- If you are already using anakinra (Kineret®) or other biologic DMARDs or TNF-inhibitors such as abatacept (Orencia®), etanercept (Enbrel®) or infliximab (Remicade®)
- If you have moderate to severe heart failure
If you have any questions about any of this information, ask your doctor.
Speak to your doctor before starting Humira if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or to breastfeed.
Orencia is a registered trade mark registered to Bristol-Myers Squibb. Kineret is a registered trade mark licensed by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum. Enbrel is a registered trade mark registered to Pfizer New Zealand. Remicade is a registered trade mark registered to Janssen Cilag.
What information should I share with my doctor before starting HUMIRA?
Tell your doctor if you have, or have had, any of the following:
- an infection, including a long-term or localised infection (for example, leg ulcer)
- a history of recurrent infections or other conditions that increase the risk of infections
- tuberculosis, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has had tuberculosis
- hepatitis B virus, or you suspect you may be infected
- a fungal infection
- multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating disease
- allergic reactions such as chest tightness, wheezing, dizziness, swelling or rash
- blood disorders
- a suppressed immune system or if you are taking any medicines that can lower your immune system
- heart conditions including congestive heart failure, heart attack or worsening of existing heart conditions
- cancer or autoimmune disease
- a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- kidney or liver problems
As cases of tuberculosis have been reported in patients treated with HUMIRA, your doctor will check you for signs and symptoms of tuberculosis before starting this medicine. This will include a thorough medical history, a chest x-ray and tuberculin test.
HUMIRA can cause reactivation of hepatitis B in people who carry this virus. In some rare cases, especially if you are taking other medicines that suppress the immune system, reactivation of hepatitis B virus can be life-threatening.
Tell your doctor if you are scheduled for any vaccines. It is recommended that patients be brought up to date with all immunisations in agreement with current immunisation guidelines prior to initiating HUMIRA therapy. Patients receiving HUMIRA should not receive live vaccines.
Tell your doctor if you are currently taking or have previously taken any medication that lowers the body’s resistance to disease. You might get infections more easily while you are receiving HUMIRA treatment. These infections may be serious and include tuberculosis, infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria, or other opportunistic infections and sepsis that may, in rare cases, be life-threatening.
If you get an infection your doctor may recommend temporary discontinuation of HUMIRA. Also tell your doctor if you live(d) or have travelled to countries where there is more risk for certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis). These infections may develop or become more severe if you take HUMIRA.
Tell your doctor if you are a Psoriasis sufferer who has undergone phototherapy.
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, or are thinking about becoming pregnant. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed.
If you have any questions about any of this information, ask your doctor, and refer to the Consumer Medicine Information available from the link at the bottom of this page.
What are the most common side effects with HUMIRA?
All medicines have risks and benefits. It is important to be aware of side effects, even though not everyone will experience them. If you have any questions about any of this information, ask your specialist, GP or pharmacist.
There are other possible side-effects with Humira, some serious, so you should review the Consumer Medicines Information (see below) for the full list. Remember to tell your doctor if you experience these or any other side-effects.
The most common side effects with HUMIRA are listed below:
- Respiratory tract infections – upper (such as cold, sinus infection, sore throat) or lower (such as bronchitis, pneumonia)
- Other infections – skin (such as cellulitis), ear, mouth (inflammation or ulcers), bacterial (such as urinary tract infection), fungal (such as thrush) and viral infections (such as influenza, cold sore blisters, chicken pox, shingles)
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Nausea, diarrhoea and /or abdominal pain
- Muscle ache
- Rash
- Lower than normal number of white blood cells (leukopaenia)
- Lower than normal number of red blood cells (anaemia)
- Increased lipids
- Higher than normal liver enzymes
- Fatigue
For more information refer to the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) which is available in the link at the bottom of this page, and review the safety information section of this website.
How will I know if I’m allergic to HUMIRA?
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- chest tightness
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, eg hands or feet
- hives, itching or skin rash.
If you experience any of these symptoms you should seek urgent medical attention.
How often and for how long will I have to use HUMIRA?
The recommended dose of HUMIRA depends on the conditions being treated, and in the case of children, their age and weight.
You should talk to your specialist about the dosage and frequency of your injections. Do not inject HUMIRA more often than prescribed.
HUMIRA is available in either a pre-filled single-use syringe or, a pre-filled single-use pen. Both the syringe and pen come preloaded with the exact dose of medicine inside, ready for you to inject.
The duration of treatment with HUMIRA will depend on many factors. If you stop taking HUMIRA your immune system may, once again, become over-active and cause inflammation so it is important that you continue to use HUMIRA for as long as your specialist tells you to. If you need to stop HUMIRA for a medical reason, you should tell your specialist as soon as possible.
Can I use HUMIRA if I’m taking other medicines?
You can take other medicines if your doctor has told you it’s okay to take them while you’re using HUMIRA. You can still take some other types of medicines for your condition at the same time as HUMIRA, for example, methotrexate, steroids, non-steroidal anti- inflammatories and painkillers; this is something your specialist will advise you on.
However, you should not take HUMIRA if you are taking anakinra (Kineret®), or if you are taking any other biologic DMARDs or Anti-TNFs such as abatacept (Orencia®), etanercept (Enbrel®) or infliximab (Remicade®) as taking the two medicines together may increase the risk of infection.
You should not receive some types of vaccines (live vaccines) whilst taking HUMIRA. Tell your healthcare professional that you are taking HUMIRA before you are scheduled to have any vaccinations.
HUMIRA is supplied in a single-use, pre-filled syringe or single-use, pre-filled pen. It should NOT be mixed with any other medicine (such as insulin), nor should any other medicines be added to the syringe or pen.
Make sure to tell your specialist about all medicines you are taking including other prescription medicines, any medicines purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket, painkillers, herbal medicines, and vitamin and mineral supplements you are taking. If you have any questions, you should ask your specialist.
Orencia is a registered trade mark registered to Bristol-Myers Squibb. Kineret is a registered trade mark licensed by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum. Enbrel is a registered trade mark registered to Pfizer New Zealand. Remicade is a registered trade mark registered to Janssen Cilag.
Are there any foods that interact with HUMIRA?
Since HUMIRA is injected under the skin (subcutaneously), rather than taken by mouth, food and drink should not affect HUMIRA. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
Can I drink alcohol when using HUMIRA?
There is insufficient information on the effects of alcohol on HUMIRA. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
Should I get a flu vaccination (“flu shot”) if I am taking HUMIRA?
Tell your doctor if you are scheduled for any vaccines. It is recommended that patients be brought up to date with all immunisations in agreement with current immunisation guidelines prior to initiating HUMIRA therapy.
Your specialist or GP may encourage you to have vaccinations for flu annually and pneumonia to help protect you, or to try to reduce the severity of these infections.
Patients receiving HUMIRA should not receive live vaccines. Check with your doctor about which ones are ‘live’ vaccines.
If you have any questions about any of this information, ask your doctor.
Can I use HUMIRA if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using HUMIRA, tell your doctor immediately.
If you use HUMIRA during pregnancy, your baby may have a higher risk of getting an infection. It is important that you tell your baby's doctors and other healthcare professionals about your HUMIRA use during your pregnancy before the baby receives any vaccine.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
If you have any questions about any of this information, ask your doctor.
