Humira – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, September 05, 2018 by Zoey Sky

Humira is an injectable drug that’s used to treat adult patients with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The drug is also used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children aged five and above.

The drug Humira is a type of medication called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker, or anti-TNF drug. TNF blockers can help minimize inflammation and delay the progression of inflammatory conditions by targeting TNF.

TNF is a substance produced by the immune system and it causes inflammation in the body.

The drug is also administered to patients with the following conditions after other treatments have failed:

Ankylosing spondylitis (a type of spinal arthritis)
Crohn’s disease
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Ulcerative colitis

Humira’s generic name is adalimumab.

Known health risks or side effects of Humira

Humira may cause common side effects such as:

Back pain
Headaches
Nausea
Rash
Upper respiratory infections (e.g., sinus infections)

You may require immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects such as:

Chest pain
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Dizziness
Hives
Itching
New joint pain
Numbness or tingling
Pale skin
Rash on the cheeks or arms that worsens when exposed to sunlight
Red and scaly patches or raised and pus-filled bumps
Shortness of breath
Signs of infection (e.g., chills, a fever, a sore throat, or other signs of infection)
Swelling of the face, lower legs, ankles, or feet
Unusual bruising or bleeding
Vision problems
Weakness in the legs

Patients may also experience injection site reactions, which are common while taking Humira. Symptoms of these reactions, which often resolve after several days, can include bruising, itching, redness, and swelling.

List of organs that might be affected by Humira

Humira may cause complications like an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing; hives; or the swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, consult a healthcare professional. If your symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Food items or nutrients that have similar effects to Humira

The following foods or nutrients have similar effects to Humira and they help can prevent inflammation:

Black pepper – Aside from having anti-inflammatory properties, black pepper also has antibacterial and antioxidant benefits. Black pepper has a compound called piperine that can help prevent the early acute inflammatory process.
Cayenne – Cayenne, like other hot chili peppers, have natural compounds called capsaicinoids that give the peppers their anti-inflammatory properties.
Cinnamon – Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe symptoms like swelling. You can add cinnamon to coffee or tea and on your breakfast cereal.
Garlic – Garlic’s anti-inflammatory can help ease the symptoms of arthritis. Always use fresh garlic in savory dishes for a flavor boost and added health benefits.
Turmeric – Turmeric has a compound called curcumin that can help minimize inflammation in the body.

Treatment and management options for the side effects of Humira

The following treatments and management options can help prevent the side effects associated with Humira, like nausea:

Don’t eat fatty or spicy foods – A blander diet with foods like applesauce, baked potatoes, bananas, crackers, or rice can help relieve nausea and lower your chances of suffering from an upset stomach.
Exercise – Aerobic exercise and yoga can help address nausea in some individuals.
Increase your protein intake – Meals full of protein can help prevent nausea, unlike food rich in carbs or fat.
Try to eat smaller meals – Eat smaller and more frequent meals when you’re nauseous to minimize your symptoms.

Where to learn more

Summary

Humira is an injectable drug that’s used to treat adult patients with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Humira may cause common side effects such as back pain, headaches, and nausea.

Humira may also cause complications like an allergic reaction.

Black pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, and turmeric have similar effects to Humira and they help can prevent inflammation.

Not eating fatty or spicy foods, exercising, increasing your protein intake and eating smaller meals can help prevent the side effects associated with Humira, like nausea.

Sources include:

Tagged Under: Tags: Humira