Is It Safe To Use?
Humira side effects can be quite serous. Please read about them in our side effects section below. Humira (generic name adalimumab) is a prescription drug that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and adults suffering from moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
Humira was first approved by the FDA for rheumatoid arthritis in 2003. Humira was later approved for the treatment of psoriasis in 2008. Prior to that many doctors prescribed it “off-label” for psoriasis, a common and accepted medical practice.
Humira is a biologic drug. Biologics are made from human or animal proteins. The medications made from these proteins are specifically designed to help correct the body’s process that causes psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Humira blocks tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a chemical “messenger” in the immune system that signals other cells to cause inflammation. There is too much TNF-alpha in the skin of people with psoriasis and the joints of people with certain types of arthritis.
Humira helps lower the amount of TNF-alpha, thus interrupting the inflammatory cycle of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and leading to improvement in symptoms for many people who take it.
Many people ask what is the price of Humira? The cost of Humira is approximately $14,000 for one year of continuous treatment at the standard dose (40 mg every other week). Most insurance plans cover the cost of Humira for treating rheumatoid arthritis and moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
We will now go over some more general information about Humira, and then discuss the Humira side effects including the effects of Humira on sperm.
How Well Does It Work
Recent studies though have proven its effectiveness for treating psoriasis. There are currently several more studies underway studying its effectiveness. There are also studies underway for Humira side effects.
In a recent study for psoriasis: More than half the patients (53 percent) experienced 75 percent or better improvement in psoriasis severity scores by 12 weeks after the first treatment with the 40 mg dose given every other week. More than three out of four patients (76 percent) experienced 50 percent or better improvement in psoriasis severity scores by 12 weeks after the first treatment with the 40 mg dose given every other week.
In another recent study that lasted 24 weeks, 289 psoriatic arthritis patients were tested. Adult patients who had failed previous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment used 40 mg of Humira administered every other week. The results were: Nearly one quarter of the patients (23 percent) achieved 70 percent improvement in their arthritis measurement score. Nearly 40 percent (39 percent) achieved 50 percent improvement in the measurement score. More than half (57 percent) achieved a 20 percent improvement in the measurement score.
The results were achieved very quickly for both studies, with 27 percent and 52 percent of patients achieving 20 percent improvement in their arthritis measurement scores after two and four weeks, respectively. Measurements of skin also improved during the psoriatic arthritis trial, with 75 percent improving their severity scores by half, nearly 60 percent by 75 and more than 40 percent by 90.
How Is It Used
This drug is taken at home. Users give themselves an injection under the skin (subcutaneously or SC) every other week, or weekly in some cases, or as directed by your doctor. It is similar to taking insulin injections for diabetes. The exact dose that will be used for treating psoriasis has not yet been determined. Humira must be taken continually to maintain effectiveness. This is one of the biggest reasons for the many Humira side effects.
We will now go over the Humira side effects, including the effects of humira on sperm.
Humira Side Effects
The most common Humira side effects include: upper respiratory infections, abdominal pain, headache, rash, injection site reactions, urinary tract infection and high blood pressure. These Humira side effects were most common after the first dose, and often decrease after additional doses.
People taking Humira should be monitored for signs of infection, and if a serious infection develops, the medication should be stopped. Tuberculosis, invasive fungal infections and other serious infections have been reported in Humira patients; some of the infections have been fatal.
There is evidence of central nervous system disorders in association with the use of Humira. Doctors are advised to use caution in considering the use of Humira in patients with pre-existing or the recent onset of central nervous system disorders, including multiple sclerosis.
Several patients have developed lupus-like symptoms that receded after their treatment was stopped.
12% of patients taking Humira develop antibodies to it, and have a greatly increased likelihood of having an allergic reaction to it.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious Humira side effects occur: fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, stomach pain, blood in the stools, mental/mood changes, severe headache, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing eyes and skin, leg pain or swelling, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, unsteadiness, unexplained muscle weakness, seizures, vision changes, extreme fatigue, chest pain, joint pain, shortness of breath, butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks.
There are effects of Humira on sperm. Typically patients using Humira will have a low sperm count. If you are worried about the effects of Humira on sperm, you should consider using a better and safer alternative.
Due to the severe Humira side effects, and the fact that it is not a permanent cure, we recommend you consider alternatives.
Better And Safer Treatment Options
Conventional medicines like Humira only treat the symptoms of psoriasis. They do not address the fundamental cause. This only provides temporary relief.
There are many in the health care field that believe psoriasis is curable by using the right natural treatments. They believe that treating psoriasis from the inside and from the outside can reduce or cure it. Topical treatments from the outside will relieve symptoms and provide temporary relief. Treatment from the inside will help build up your immune system, and reduce or eliminate future outbreaks. Building up your immune system is the key to long-term psoriasis relief.
For the topical treatment of psoriasis, we have found an extremely effective product. It contains only safe and natural ingredients, and we believe it is the best psoriasis product on the market. That product is Thena Healing Cream. We recommend you follow the link to Amazon to learn more about it, and how it can help you.
We have been recommending a product for several years now to help strengthen your immune system. It also contains only safe and natural ingredients, and the results have been remarkable. For treating psoriasis, we believe it is absolutely essential. That product is the Zenmed Skin Support Supplement. Follow this link to learn more about it, and how it can help you.
We have seen even the worst cases of psoriasis eliminated. You just need to start your treatments for psoriasis immediately, and use the right safe natural ingredients.
If you have any questions about the Humira side effects, what is the price of Humira, or the effects of Humira on sperm, please contact us. We are asked often what is the price of Humira. Since it is so expensive, and there are better alternatives, we believe you should only use Humira as a last resort.
More Than Humira Side Effects on our What is Psoriasis Page
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