Key takeaways section

  • Humira (adalimumab) is a prescription drug used for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis. Mild side effects of the drug include injection site reactions, headache, and skin rash.
  • Serious side effects of Humira include liver damage, heart failure, and serious infections.
  • Having certain conditions or health factors may raise your risk of side effects from Humira or make the drug unsafe for you to use. Examples include if you have a history of heart failure or nervous system problems.

Specifically, Humira is used to treat:

The active ingredient in Humira is adalimumab. The drug comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Humira can cause.

Humira has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Humira can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult for you to tolerate.

A few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Humira in studies are:

  • injection site reactions (see “FAQ about Humira’s side effects” for details)
  • infections
  • headache
  • skin rash (see “Side effects explained” for details)

These side effects can vary depending on the condition the drug is being used to treat.

You may experience mild side effects during your Humira treatment. These side effects can vary depending on the condition the drug is being used to treat.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Humira include:

  • injection site reactions (see “FAQ about Humira’s side effects” for details)
  • infections, such as the common cold
  • headache
  • skin rash (see “Side effects explained” for details)

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Humira unless your doctor recommends you do so.

Humira may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. For more information, see the Humira prescribing information.

Although serious side effects are not common with Humira, they are possible. Before you start using Humira, you should know the serious side effects to watch for during your treatment.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Humira include:

  • heart failure
  • lupus-like syndrome
  • nervous system problems
  • decreases in certain types of blood cells
  • hepatitis B reactivation (if you already have the hepatitis B virus)
  • liver damage (see the “Side effects explained” for details)
  • boxed warning: risk of cancer
  • boxed warning: risk of serious infection

A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more about Humira’s boxed warnings, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Humira, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone. It gives doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Humira, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Humira can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Humira treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Humira, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

It’s possible to have long-term side effects from Humira treatment. Examples of long-term side effects that Humira can cause include:

  • liver damage (To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.)
  • heart failure
  • lupus-like syndrome
  • nervous system problems
  • boxed warning: risk of cancer (A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration [FDA]. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.)

For more information about how often long-term side effects may occur with Humira, see the drug’s prescribing information. If you have any concerns about long-term side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is the risk of side effects higher after the first dose of Humira compared with later doses?

The risk isn’t necessarily higher after the first dose of Humira. Side effects from Humira may occur at any point throughout your treatment. But you may have a higher risk of allergic reaction after your first dose of Humira compared with later doses.

If you have any concerns about side effects from Humira, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Humira cause side effects that could affect my skin?

Yes, Humira could cause side effects that affect your skin. Because Humira is given as an injection under your skin, it can cause an injection site reaction. (This is a reaction in the area where you inject the drug.)

Injection site reactions may include symptoms such as:

  • redness or other color changes in the skin
  • itching
  • bruising
  • swelling or pain

Another side effect of Humira is a skin rash. For more information, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you have any concerns about skin-related side effects from Humira, talk with your doctor. For more information about how often these side effects may have occurred in studies of Humira, see the prescribing information.

Does Humira cause eye-related side effects?

It’s possible. Although Humira is not known to cause eye-related side effects, it may cause other side effects that can affect your eyes. For example, Humira can cause nervous system problems. Symptoms of some nervous system problems include changes in your vision.

Humira can also cause liver damage. One symptom of liver damage is jaundice, which can cause the whites of your eyes to become yellow.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Humira. In certain cases, allergic reactions may cause your eyes to swell.

If you notice any of these or other vision changes in your eyes while using Humira, call your doctor right away.

Learn more about some of the side effects Humira may cause.

Serious infection

Humira has a boxed warning for the risk of serious infection while using the drug. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Serious infections that could occur include pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), and fungal infections.

Although serious infections are possible, they’re not a common side effect of Humira. Symptoms of a serious infection may include:

  • difficulty breathing
  • dizziness
  • fever

What might help

Your doctor will test you for TB before you start using Humira. If you do have TB or any other infection, such as hepatitis B, your doctor may need to treat the infection before you start using Humira.

You may have a higher risk of serious infection if you use Humira along with certain medications to treat your condition. These medications are Kineret (anakinra) or Orencia (abatacept). If you’re using Kineret or Orencia, your doctor will likely recommend switching one of your medications. This way, you’re not taking Humira in combination with either drug.

If you develop symptoms of a serious infection, see your doctor right away. Serious infections can be life threatening, so it’s important that they’re treated as soon as possible.

Cancer

Humira has a boxed warning for the risk of cancer during treatment. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Cancer is a rare but serious side effect that may occur with Humira. Receiving Humira may raise your risk of skin cancer and blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.

Symptoms of cancer to watch for include:

  • weight loss
  • a sore that doesn’t heal
  • a lump under your skin
  • fatigue (low energy)

What might help

It’s important to watch for any symptoms of cancer during your treatment with Humira. If you do notice any symptoms, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor may also do certain blood tests to check for cancer.

If you have any concerns about cancer during your Humira treatment, talk with your doctor.

Skin rash

Humira can cause skin rash in some people. In studies, this was a common side effect of people using Humira.

A rash could also be a symptom of a more serious side effect of Humira. For example, some people using Humira can develop a rash if they have an allergic reaction to the drug. You can also develop a rash from lupus-like syndrome, which is a possible side effect of Humira.

What might help

If you notice a rash during your Humira treatment, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend creams or medications to relieve your rash symptoms. In addition, they can determine whether the rash is serious.

Liver damage

Liver damage is a rare but serious side effect that can occur with Humira. Symptoms of liver damage may include:

  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes)
  • abdominal pain
  • fatigue

What might help

Before using Humira, talk with your doctor about any liver problems you currently have or have had in the past. Your doctor will likely monitor your liver function through blood tests during your treatment.

If you develop any symptoms of liver damage during your treatment with Humira, tell your doctor right away. Liver damage can be very serious and even life threatening.

If you have questions or concerns about liver damage during your Humira treatment, talk with your doctor.

Humira comes with several warnings.

Boxed warnings

Humira has boxed warnings for risks of serious infection and risk of cancer. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

  • Serious infection: Humira can cause serious infections, which may be life threatening. If you have any infection before starting Humira, be sure to tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend treating your infection so it doesn’t become serious. Your doctor will also test you for tuberculosis (TB) before starting Humira. If you have TB, it will be treated before you start using Humira.
  • Cancer: Humira may raise your risk of certain types of cancer, such as skin cancer and blood cancer (including leukemia and lymphoma). If you have cancer or ever had it, talk with your doctor before using Humira. They’ll recommend the most appropriate drug and may monitor you more closely throughout your treatment.

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Humira, discuss your health history with your doctor. Humira may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.