Adalimumab is commonly administered through an injection under the skin. This medication is prescribed primarily for the treatment of various autoimmune disorders including:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the soft tissue in the joints. As this tissue is destroyed, the joints become damaged. In addition to joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis may also cause fatigue, fever, and a loss of appetite.
Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis occurs in individuals with psoriasis (a common immune condition of the skin that causes red, scaly patches on the skin). This form of arthritis is characterized by the development of both the joint pain symptoms of arthritis and the skin scaling symptoms caused by psoriasis.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joint tissue of children. This causes pain, swelling, delays in growth and development, and loss of function in affected joints.
Ankylosing spondylitis: This is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joints in the spine, causing postural problems and back pain.
Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes swelling and painful sores in the lining of the large intestine. While the exact cause of this condition is unknown (diet and stress aggravate but don’t cause ulcerative colitis), genetics and immune system malfunctions appear to play a role in its development.
Uveitis: Uveitis is inflammation of the eye, which causes redness, eye pain, light sensitivity, and vision problems.
In addition to its use as a treatment for autoimmune conditions, adalimumab may be prescribed for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and other symptoms. Crohn’s disease cannot be cured, but adalimumab is prescribed to help manage symptoms of the condition.