all about adalimumab!

WHAT IS A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY?

According to a MedicineNet article, adalimumab (otherwise known by its brand name, Humira) is a drug prescribed to reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis, and other similar diseases. While looking at that long name, notice that the last three letters spell “mab”, which suggests the main component of the drug is a monoclonal antibody. What is a monoclonal antibody, you ask? According to a Mayo Clinic article, monoclonal antibodies are molecules that are engineered in a laboratory in order to substitute for other antibodies. They can enhance or mimic the natural immune system, which can become really handy in its fight against foreign cells. They do this by flagging foreign cells for the immune system, blocking foreign cells’ growth, triggering cell membrane destruction, or blocking immune system inhibitors.

WHAT IS ADALIMUMAB?

Adalimumab is a synthetic, injectable antibody that binds and blocks the effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriatic arthritis. TNF-alpha is a cytokine that creates an inflammatory response throughout the body in response to injury. In the case of arthritis, TNF-alpha is notorious for sparking pain, tenderness, and the swelling of joints. Unchecked arthritis can ultimately lead to the destruction of a person’s joints, so treatment is quite important to prevent extreme discomfort. Because adalimumab (or Humira) binds and blocks TNF-alpha, its consequence of inflammation is greatly reduced, and arthritis’s gradual joint destruction is either slowed or prevented – yay!

SIDE EFFECTS OF HUMIRA

As always, there could be side effects in response to taking Humira. The most common side effects include headache, rash, nausea, and vomiting. It may also cause swelling, pain, and itching at the site of injection. Because Humira suppresses the innate immune system for its effects to take over, taking this drug can make the patient susceptible to other diseases, and may be accompanied by minor infections of the urinary or respiratory tracts. It is also important to note, like many other drugs that block the effects of TNF-alpha, Humira may also be associated with more severe complications like tuberculosis, aplastic anemia, anaphylaxis, sepsis, and fungal infections. It is important that one should not take Humira if there is a chance they could be pregnant … wow, now I really sound like I’m dictating a Humira commercial.