Special precautions

Try to avoid close contact with people who have infections. Adalimumab affects the way your immune system works, so you may be more prone to infections. Also, even a mild infection such as a cold or sore throat could develop into a more serious illness if you are taking adalimumab. Contact your doctor or the hospital if you begin to feel unwell and think you may have caught an infection
You may also be at greater risk of becoming more seriously ill from viruses and bacteria such as those that cause chickenpox and shingles, measles, and pneumococcal disease. Tell your doctor if you come into contact with anyone with these conditions even if you do not feel unwell
Take care with food hygiene and avoid eating raw eggs or undercooked pate, meat and poultry, as well as unpasteurised dairy products and soft or blue cheeses. You may be more open to the type of infections caused by bacteria such as listeria when being treated with adalimumab
You will be advised to have an annual flu vaccine and a pneumonia vaccination while on adalimumab treatment
Adalimumab can increase the risk of skin reactions, and in rare cases skin cancer. You may wish to take extra precautions when in the sunlight, for example wearing a hat and high factor suncream

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic