The drug suppresses the immune system by blocking the activity of TNF. TNF is a protein produced naturally by the body's immune system. Some people with certain autoimmune diseases produce too much TNF. Humira is designed to stop tumor necrosis factor-α, or TNF, from attacking healthy cells.

HUMIRA is produced by recombinant DNA technology in a mammalian cell expression system and is purified by a process that includes specific viral inactivation and removal steps.

Humira contains the active drug adalimumab, which is a biologic medication. Biologics are medications made from living cells. Adalimumab belongs to a class of medications known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. (A class of medications is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.)

HUMIRA is a prescription medicine used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults, may prevent further damage to your bones and joints, and may help your ability to perform daily activities.

Common side effects of HUMIRA include injection site reactions (pain, redness, rash, swelling, itching, or bruising), upper respiratory infections (sinus infections), headaches, rash, and nausea.

The brand name Humira stands for "human monoclonal antibody in rheumatoid arthritis", and was named by one of Abbott's employees, Richard J. Karwoski, who was also responsible for leading the effort to get Humira approved by the FDA.

Humira has an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 from a total of 668 reviews on Drugs.com. 54% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 33% reported a negative experience.

Through its savvy but legal exploitation of the U.S. patent system, Humira's manufacturer, AbbVie, blocked competitors from entering the market. For the next six years, the drug's price kept rising. Today, Humira is the most lucrative franchise in pharmaceutical history.

Ultimately, the study showed that 40% of patients taking HUMIRA achieved and maintained remission at 26 weeks,* and 36% of those patients achieved and maintained remission at 56 weeks. Individual results may vary. *Compared to 17% taking placebo. Compared to 12% taking placebo.

Patients treated with HUMIRA are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. These infections include active tuberculosis (TB), reactivation of latent TB, invasive fungal infections, and bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens.

Patients treated with HUMIRA are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. These infections include active tuberculosis (TB), reactivation of latent TB, invasive fungal infections, and bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens.

Studies show that people taking biologics like Humira have close to a two times higher risk for being diagnosed with a non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Basal cell and squamous cell are the two main types. They're also the most common types of cancer in general.

A significant factor in Humira's success has been the absence of biosimilar competition. This is partially related to Paragraph IV settlement agreements negotiated between AbbVie and adalimumab biosimilar manufacturers.