Home Drug Guide Adalimumab-aaty

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Adalimumab-aaty

Brand Names Yuflyma

Classification

Therapeutic: Immunosuppressant, Anti-TNF alpha agent

Pharmacological: Monoclonal antibody, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Crohn's disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
  • Plaque psoriasis
  • Hidradenitis suppurativa
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Pyoderma gangrenosum

Mechanism of Action

Adalimumab-aaty binds specifically to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, thereby inhibiting its activity and reducing inflammation and immune response involved in autoimmune diseases.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dosed based on condition; often 40 mg every other week or weekly subcutaneously. Specific dosing varies per indication and patient response.

Pediatric: Dosing varies by indication and weight; typically 20 mg or 40 mg every other week or weekly.

Geriatric: Similar to adult dosing; monitor for increased risk of infections.

Renal Impairment: No specific adjustment needed but caution advised.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustment needed.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Bioavailability approximately 64% after subcutaneous injection.

Distribution: Widely distributed with a volume of distribution approximately 4 liters.

Metabolism: Broken down into peptides and amino acids via proteolytic pathways.

Excretion: Metabolized to amino acids; no specific renal or hepatic clearance pathways.

Half Life: Approximately 2 weeks (around 10-20 days).

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to adalimumab or excipients
  • Active infections, including tuberculosis

Precautions

  • Screen for latent tuberculosis before initiation
  • Monitor for signs of infection during therapy
  • Use with caution in patients with demyelinating disease, heart failure, or history of cancer

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Infections (upper respiratory infections) (Common)
  • Injection site reactions (Common)
  • Headache (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Serious infections (sepsis, pneumonia) (Less common)
  • Lymphoma and other malignancies (Rare)
  • Demyelinating diseases (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other immunosuppressants, live vaccines

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of infection, injection site reactions, and development of antibodies.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection
  • Risk for impaired skin integrity

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, monitor patient response, educate about infection risk.

Evaluation: Assess for therapeutic response and adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report signs of infection such as fever, cough, or sore throat.
  • Inform about potential injection site reactions.
  • Advise on the importance of routine screening for infections.
  • Discuss the need for regular medical follow-ups.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Increased risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis, and malignancies, especially lymphoma.

Genetic Factors: Genetic predisposition may affect immune response.

Lab Test Interference: Can affect certain lab tests, such as tuberculin skin tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Unknown; likely immunosuppression, increased infection risk.

Treatment: Supportive care; immediate medical attention.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze.

Stability: Stable until the expiration date printed on the label when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.