Adalimumab Side Effects
- Adalimumab has a handful of relatively common side effects, including stomachache, backache, swelling, mild pain and redness where the medication was injected, sinus inflammation, headache and nausea. These side effects tend to fade away quickly, but if they are troublesome or persistent, you should consult your doctor.
- Several serious yet relatively uncommon side effects can occur with the use of adalimumab, including extreme swelling, redness or pain where the medication was injected, shortness of breath, stomachache, abnormal bleeding or bruising, pale skin, changes in vision, infection symptoms (such as chills, sore throat, fever and warm skin), numbness, pain or tingling in the feet or hands, open sores, irregular or rapid heartbeat, butterfly rash on the cheeks or the nose, blood in the stools or urine, passing out, mood or mental changes, joint pain, weakness of the muscles, muscle pain, strange lumps and unusual weakness or fatigue.
If you experience severe effects, seek emergency medical care. - Allergic reactions to adalimumab. Signs you are experiencing an allergic reaction include breathing problems, swelling, itching, chest heaviness or tightness, skin rash and hives. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Taking adalimumab can sometimes lead to extremely severe and even life-threatening infections, including fungal infections and tuberculosis. The possibility of tuberculosis is relatively high with adalimumab. Users of adalimumab who are at high risk for getting the infection are often prescribed TB medication. People who take adalimumab are often closely monitored for tuberculosis while they are using the drug. Some signs of tuberculosis to watch for include weight loss, fever, body fat loss, muscle loss and coughing.
- Adalimumab is not an appropriate medication for everybody. Consult your doctor about medications you are taking and any medical conditions that you might have, especially if you are allergic to any of the components of adalimumab, are taking anakinra or abatacept (or are going to be receiving a live vaccine) or have an extreme infection, such as sepsis.
