Are there any concerns with taking Humira long-term?
As with any medication, there is some risk with long-term use of adalimumab (Humira). However, its safety profile is quite good. Adalimumab is an injectable “biologic” treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, other types of arthritis, and colitis (colon inflammation). It’s called a biologic because it acts against a naturally occurring substance (tumor necrosis factor) that promotes inflammation. Other biologic agents that act in a similar way include etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade). These are called anti-TNF drugs. (The TNF is for “tumor necrosis factor.”) You are quite right about the link to tuberculosis (TB). However, that’s a problem primarily in people who have been exposed to TB in the past. That’s why doctors check for TB before starting a patient on these drugs. If a skin test is positive, a chest X-ray and full examination are performed to look for active infection. No one with active TB should receive an anti-TNF drug. For those with a positive
