Amjevita (adalimumab-atto) is a brand-name subcutaneous injection that’s prescribed for certain inflammatory conditions in adults and some children. As with other drugs, Amjevita can cause side effects, such as infections and headache.

Amjevita has boxed warnings about the risks of serious infections and certain cancers. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Amjevita can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

In clinical trials, most people took Amjevita at a dosage of 40 milligrams (mg) every other week. Here are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Amjevita in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Mild side effects can occur with Amjevita use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Amjevita’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Amjevita include:

  • nausea
  • abdominal pain
  • back pain
  • headache
  • upper respiratory infections, such as colds, flu, and sinusitis
  • urinary tract infections
  • rash
  • injection site reactions*

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Amjevita and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Amjevita may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Amjevita’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Amjevita, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • liver problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • nausea and vomiting
    • pain on the right-hand side of your abdomen
    • loss of appetite
    • jaundice (yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes)
  • blood cell problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • bruising or bleeding easily
    • fever
    • fatigue (low energy)
    • skin, gums, or nailbeds that look paler than usual
  • new or worsening heart failure, which may include symptoms such as:
    • shortness of breath
    • swelling of your lower legs or feet
    • sudden weight gain
  • new or worsening nerve problems, such as multiple sclerosis, which may include symptoms such as:
    • vision problems
    • numbness or tingling
    • weakness in your arms or legs
    • dizziness
  • lupus-like syndrome (an immune system problem), which may include symptoms such as:
    • chest pain or discomfort
    • shortness of breath
    • joint pain
    • rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun
  • new or worsening psoriasis, which may include symptoms such as:
    • red, dark brown, or purple scaly patches of skin
    • raised bumps filled with pus
  • risk of serious infections*
  • risk of certain cancers*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Amjevita injection can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep using the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Amjevita injection, your doctor may recommend using a different medication instead.

Amjevita may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Amjevita cause weight loss?

Amjevita has not been reported to cause weight loss. However, some of Amjevita’s side effects, such as infections and cancer, can cause weight loss as a symptom.

If you have unintended weight loss while receiving Amjevita, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the possible cause.

Is hair loss a side effect of Amjevita?

It’s not likely. Hair loss wasn’t a side effect seen during clinical trials of Amjevita. There have been reports of this side effect in people using Amjevita, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Amjevita was the cause.

If you have hair loss while using Amjevita, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the possible cause.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Amjevita may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Amjevita.

Risk of serious infections

Amjevita has a boxed warning about the risk of serious infections. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Amjevita weakens your immune system and makes it harder for your body to fight infections. Because of this, Amjevita can raise your risk of serious infections. These infections may need treatment in the hospital and, on rare occasions, can be fatal. Examples include pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), infections that spread throughout the body, and sepsis.

In clinical trials, serious infections weren’t common in people using Amjevita.

Symptoms of serious infections depend on the type of infection but can include:

  • fever
  • cough that doesn’t get better
  • muscle aches
  • sore, hot, swollen, red, or discolored areas of skin
  • pain when urinating
  • unintended weight loss

You may have a higher risk of serious infections if you use Amjevita with other medications that weaken your immune system. Examples include methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup) and corticosteroids such as prednisone (Rayos). You may also have a higher risk if you have a condition that raises your risk of infections, such as diabetes.

What you can do

Before you start using Amjevita, tell your doctor if you have any active infections or infections that keep coming back. Also, talk with your doctor about infections you’ve had in the past. In particular, tell your doctor if you have ever had TB or hepatitis B. Your doctor may test you for these infections before prescribing Amjevita. Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat any infections you have before starting Amjevita treatment.

If you develop symptoms of an infection during Amjevita treatment, talk with your doctor right away. If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat it. If you develop a serious infection, your doctor will likely have you stop using Amjevita.

If you have questions or concerns about the risk of infections with Amjevita, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Increased risk of certain cancers

Amjevita has a boxed warning about the risk of certain cancers. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Because Amjevita weakens your immune system, it can raise your risk of developing certain cancers. Examples include skin cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia.

In clinical trials, cancers were rare in people using Amjevita.

Rare cancers, including lymphoma, have been reported in children and teenagers taking drugs similar to Amjevita. These drugs are called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. In some cases, these cancers were fatal.

Also, a rare, aggressive type of lymphoma has been reported in teenage and young adult males* receiving TNF blockers for inflammatory bowel disease. Most cases occurred in those receiving a TNF blocker with azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) or mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan). Many of these cancers were fatal.

Symptoms of cancer depend on the type of cancer but can include:

  • skin sore that doesn’t heal
  • new skin bump or lump
  • fatigue with no obvious cause
  • unexplained weight loss
  • fever
  • night sweats

Certain factors may raise your risk of developing cancer while using Amjevita. For example, you may have a higher risk if you’ve ever smoked or have had cancer in the past. You may also have a higher risk if you’ve had past treatment with phototherapy or with other medications that weaken your immune system.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

What you can do

Before starting Amjevita treatment, talk with your doctor about any risk factors you may have for cancer. This can help your doctor determine whether Amjevita is safe for you.

Your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of cancer during your Amjevita treatment. See your doctor right away if you develop any changes in your skin or any other possible symptoms of cancer.

If you have questions or concerns about the risk of cancer with Amjevita, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Injection site reactions

You may have injection site reactions while using Amjevita. These are mild side effects that occur in the area where you inject the medication. In clinical trials, injection site reactions were the most common side effect of Amjevita.

Symptoms of injection site reactions can include:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • redness or discoloration
  • itching
  • rash
  • bruising or bleeding

What you can do

You should not inject Amjevita yourself unless you have received training on the correct way to inject the medication.

To help avoid injection site reactions, you should inject Amjevita in a slightly different place each time you take a dose. Always choose a healthy area of skin. Do not inject into skin that’s hard, swollen, tender, red, discolored, or bruised. Also, avoid places with scars or stretch marks.

If you have an injection site reaction after injecting Amjevita, this will usually go away in a few days. To ease discomfort, it may help to apply a cool pack to the area.

If you have an injection site reaction that doesn’t get better in a few days, talk with your doctor.

Below is important information you should consider before using Amjevita.

Amjevita has boxed warnings about the risk of serious infections and certain cancers. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Before using Amjevita, discuss your health history with your doctor. Amjevita may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • infections, including infections that keep coming back
  • blood conditions, such as cytopenia
  • history or risk of TB
  • liver problems, including a history of hepatitis B
  • diabetes
  • heart failure
  • nerve conditions, such as multiple sclerosis
  • history of cancer
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.