Adalimumab HUMIRA®

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Adalimumab belongs to a group of medicines called Biological Drugs. It is made from a synthetic (man-made) antibody. It belongs to a group of medicines called ‘anti-TNF’ drugs or therapies. This is because it works by targeting a protein in the body called TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha).

Your body naturally produces TNF-alpha as part of its immune response, in order to help fight infections by temporarily causing inflammation in affected areas. Over-production of this protein is thought to be partly responsible for the type of chronic (ongoing) inflammation found in the digestive system of people with IBD. Adalimumab binds to the TNF-alpha and this helps to reduce the inflammation and relieve symptoms.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO WORK?

You may begin to feel better within a few days or it may take up to three months after the first treatment session.

References