How Long Does It Take For Humira To Work?

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How Long Does It Take For Humira To Work?

Topic: How Long Does It Take For Humira To Work?

Most patients who use the biologic agent Humira (adalimumab) will feel relief within two to twelve weeks. The results of your treatment will depend on the severity of your condition and any other medications you are taking.

Humira (adalimumab), an injectable biologic drug, is used to treat many diseases in which inflammation can cause pain and swelling. Humira is commonly used to treat Crohn’s disease and Crohn’s. Humira cannot cure these conditions, but it may be able to reduce your symptoms or control the progression of your condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis patients may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness within two weeks. However, it can take up to 12 weeks for some patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune condition that causes joint swelling (inflammation), redness, warmth, and stiffness. The most common areas affected are the wrists and fingers, ankles, feet, and knees.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, (JIA).

Studies on patients aged 4-17 with polyarticular Juvenile IIdiopathic Arthritis showed that fewer patients experienced a disease flare (a worsening in symptoms) over the 32-week period. Patients treated with or without methotrexate were included in this study.
Studies on patients aged 4-17 with polyarticular JIA showed that Humira plus methotrexate (63%) was more effective than methotrexate alone (27%).

Humira can be used as an individual, in combination with methotrexate or with other medications to reduce signs and symptoms of severe to moderate polyarticular JIA.

Polyarticular Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can affect five or more joints. Often, the same joints are affected in the same area on each side. The affected areas include the neck, jaw joints, and the small joints in the hands, feet, and fingers. Polyarticular JIA may cause stiffness, swelling, tenderness, and pain in the joints.

Psoriatic arthritis

Patients with psoriatic arthritis may notice a decrease in pain, swelling, and stiffness within two weeks. However, it can take up to 12 weeks for some patients.
The symptoms may be severe but can also fluctuate with periods of disease remission (few or none).

People with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis can cause joint stiffness, swelling, and pain in any part of the body.

Plaque psoriasis

Adult patients treated with Humira for plaque psoriasis saw clearer skin by 75% to 90% in just 4 months.
The symptoms may be severe but can also fluctuate with periods of disease remission (few or none).

Plaque Psoriasis can be described as a long-lasting, chronic skin condition. It causes thickened, reddened skin, which may be covered by silvery-looking scales. Plaque psoriasis does not spread.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Some patients who used Humira to treat Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) experienced improvement within 2 weeks. It may take 12 weeks to notice a significant improvement.
AS can cause a decrease in flexibility of the neck and back, which can lead to stiffness in the morning, difficulty sleeping, and inability to perform daily activities like getting dressed and bathing.

Ankylosing Spondylitis causes small bones (vertebrae) to fuse. This is a condition that affects the inflammatory joints, primarily in the lower back.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Some people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may see improvement within four weeks of starting Humira treatment. However, most people notice a significant improvement in 8 weeks. About one-third of Crohn’s patients will experience remission within four weeks.
Clinical studies with Crohn’s Disease patients aged 6 and older showed that more than half the patients who received Humira experienced symptom relief. Many also achieved remission within 26 weeks.
Studies of ulcerative colitis in children aged 5 and over showed that most patients experienced remission after eight weeks—many children who responded to treatment by week 8 experienced remission within a year.

Crohn’s disease causes long-term inflammation (pain and swelling) in the gastrointestinal tract. It usually affects the intestines but may also affect other areas. Crohn’s disease is characterized by stomach pain, the urgency of bowel movements, weight loss, diarrhea, and tiredness.

Ulcerative Colitis Inflammation affects only your large intestine. Itchy ulcers can also develop along your colon and rectum. You may experience diarrhea with blood, pus, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and stomach cramping.

Hidradenitis suppurativa

Humira was tested in clinical trials with over 600 patients suffering from moderate to severe hidradenitis. Humira was able to reduce the number of inflammatory nodules or abscesses by at most 50% within 12 weeks. The results were not associated with an increase in drainage wounds or abscesses.

Hidradenitis Supurativa is a chronic condition that causes skin swelling, bumps, and abscesses. It can affect the groin and under the breasts.

Uveitis

Patients with Uveitis experienced a dramatic improvement in their symptoms after Humira was administered to them. The results were evident within 6 weeks.
Humira was found to have a lower rate of treatment failure in patients who were treated, as Humira is defined as a combination uveitic flare with visual acuity decline than those who received placebo.

Permanent vision loss can result from Uveitis. The uvea is composed of the iris, the choroid, as well as the ciliary body.

Bottom line

Humira results will vary depending on your medical condition. However, most patients feel relief within two to twelve weeks.
In the case of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, swelling and stiffness in joints can start to diminish within two weeks. It may take 3 months for the full effect to kick in.
Results for intestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may begin within four weeks of starting Humira treatment. Most people notice an improvement in 8 weeks.

These are not the only facts you need about Humira to make safe and effective use of. Talk to your doctor about your treatment. You can review the complete product information here and talk to your doctor about any questions.