ot use a prefilled syringe if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or has flakes or particles in it.
•Do not drop or crush Humira. The prefilled syringe is glass.
•Keep Humira, injection supplies, and all other medicines out of the reach of children.
Gather the Supplies for Your Injection
•You will need the following supplies for your injection of Humira.
Find a clean, flat surface to place the supplies on.
◦1 alcohol swab
◦1 cotton ball or gauze pad (not included in your Humira carton)
◦1 Humira prefilled syringe (See Figure A)
◦1 FDA-cleared sharps disposal container for Humira prefilled syringe disposal (not included in your Humira carton)
If you do not have all of the supplies you need to give yourself an injection, go to a pharmacy or call your pharmacist.
The diagram below shows what a prefilled syringe looks like. See Figure A.
Figure A
Check the carton, dose tray, and prefilled syringe
1. Make sure the name Humira appears on the dose tray and prefilled syringe label.
2. Do not use and call your doctor or pharmacist if:
•the seals on top and bottom of the carton are broken or missing.
•the Humira labeling has an expired date. Check the expiration date on your Humira carton and do not use if the date has passed.
•the prefilled syringe that has been frozen or left in direct sunlight. See the section: “How should I store Humira?” at the beginning of these Instructions for Use.
•the liquid in the prefilled syringe is cloudy, discolored or has flakes or particles in it. Make sure the liquid is clear and colorless.
Choose the Injection Site
3. Wash and dry your hands well.
4. Choose an injection site on:
•the front of your thighs or
•your lower abdomen (belly). If you choose your abdomen, do not use the area 2 inches around your belly button (navel). See Figure B.
Figure B
•Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection. Each new injection should be given at least one inch from a site you used before.
•Do not inject into skin that is:
◦sore (tender)
◦bruised
◦red
◦hard
◦scarred or where you have stretch marks
•If you have psoriasis, do not inject directly into any raised, thick, red or scaly skin patches or lesions on your skin.
•Do not inject through your clothes.
Prepare the Injection Site
5. Wipe the injection site with an alcohol prep (swab) using a circular motion.
6. Do not touch this area again before giving the injection. Allow the skin to dry before injecting. Do not fan or blow on the clean area.
Prepare the Syringe and Needle
7. Check the fluid level in the syringe:
•Always hold the prefilled syringe by the body of the syringe. Hold the syringe with the covered needle pointing down. See Figure C.
Figure C
•Hold the syringe at eye level. Look closely to make sure that the amount of liquid in the syringe is the same or close to the:
◦0.8 mL line for the 40 mg prefilled syringe
◦0.4 mL line for the 20 mg pediatric prefilled syringe. See Figure D.
Figure D
8. The top of the liquid may be curved. If the syringe does not have the correct amount of liquid, do not use that syringe. Call your pharmacist.
9. Remove the needle cover:
•Hold the syringe in one hand. With the other hand gently remove the needle cover. See Figure E.
•Throw away the needle cover.
Figure E
•Do not touch the needle w |
