Preparing for Your Humira Injection
Before you begin the injection process, it is important to gather all necessary supplies and prepare your medication and yourself. Proper preparation can significantly reduce discomfort and minimize the risk of infection.
Gather your supplies
Gather all the items you will need and place them on a clean, flat surface, like a countertop or table. This includes:
- Your Humira pen or prefilled syringe
- The alcohol swab included in your dose tray
- A cotton ball or gauze pad
- A bandage (optional)
- An FDA-cleared sharps disposal container
Let the medication reach room temperature
Humira is stored in the refrigerator and injecting it while cold can be more painful. For best results, remove the dose from the refrigerator 15 to 30 minutes before your injection to allow it to warm up naturally. Do not use a microwave, hot water, or any other heating method, as this can damage the medication. Humira can be safely kept at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for up to 14 days, which is useful for travel.
Inspect the medication
Before use, inspect your Humira pen or syringe. Check the expiration date printed on the label. Look through the window to ensure the liquid is clear and colorless; it's normal to see one or more small bubbles. Do not use the medication if the expiration date has passed, or if the liquid appears cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
Wash your hands and select an injection site
Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent infection. Choose an injection site on either your abdomen (at least 2 inches away from your belly button) or the front of your thighs. It is critical to rotate injection sites for each dose to prevent irritation or soreness. Avoid areas that are bruised, red, hard, scarred, have stretch marks, or contain psoriatic plaques.
Prepare the injection site
Clean the selected area with the alcohol swab using a circular motion and allow it to air-dry completely. Do not touch the cleaned area again before the injection.
Humira Pen vs. Prefilled Syringe: Comparison
Humira is available in two forms: a prefilled auto-injector pen and a prefilled syringe. While both contain the same medication, there are differences in the injection process and patient experience.
| Feature | Humira Auto-Injector Pen | Humira Prefilled Syringe |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Automatic, spring-loaded injection activated by a button. | Manual injection using a plunger to push the medication. |
| Injection Speed | Controlled and consistent speed for potentially less discomfort. | Manually controlled, allowing the patient to inject more slowly. |
| Ease of Use | Considered easier and more convenient by many patients. | Requires a steady hand and manual dexterity. |
| Needle Visibility | Needle is concealed before and after injection by a sleeve. | Needle is visible during preparation and administration. |
| Angle | 90-degree angle to the skin. | 45-degree angle to the skin. |
| Patient Control | Less control over injection speed and timing. | More control over the speed of medication delivery. |
How to Inject Using the Humira Pen
Once your site is prepped and the pen has warmed, you are ready to inject. Follow these steps carefully:
- Remove the caps. Pull the gray cap straight off the top (Cap #1), and then pull the plum-colored cap straight off the bottom (Cap #2) right before you inject. Do not twist the caps or recap the pen.
- Pinch the skin. Gently pinch the cleaned area of skin and hold it firmly.
- Place the pen. Position the white end of the pen flat against the pinched skin at a 90-degree angle, ensuring you can see the window.
- Inject the dose. Press the plum-colored activator button with your thumb. You will hear a loud "click" as the injection begins. Continue holding the button and the pen firmly against your skin.
- Wait for completion. Watch the yellow indicator bar move down the window. The injection is complete when the yellow bar completely fills the window and stops moving, which takes about 10 seconds.
- Remove the pen. Slowly lift the pen straight up from your skin. The needle will automatically retract into the sleeve.
How to Inject Using the Prefilled Syringe
- Check the syringe. Hold the syringe with the needle facing up. Gently pull the gray needle cover straight off.
- Remove air bubbles. Push the plunger in slowly to remove any extra air from the syringe. A drop of liquid at the needle tip is normal.
- Pinch the skin. Gently pinch the cleaned skin and hold it firmly.
- Insert the needle. Insert the needle into the pinched skin at a 45-degree angle with a quick, smooth, dart-like motion.
- Inject the medication. Let go of the pinched skin and slowly push the plunger down until the syringe is empty.
- Remove the needle. Pull the needle out slowly, then release the plunger.
After the Injection
Immediately after removing the pen or syringe, press a cotton ball or gauze pad over the injection site for about 10 seconds. Do not rub the area, as this can cause bruising. A small amount of bleeding is normal. You can apply a bandage if needed. Record the date and injection site on a calendar to ensure you rotate spots for your next dose.
Safe Disposal
Used pens and syringes are considered sharps and must be disposed of in a designated sharps container. This is a puncture-resistant container with a tight-fitting, sealable lid. Do not throw used sharps into household trash or recycling. AbbVie, the manufacturer of Humira, offers a program to provide and return free sharps containers.
Tips for Reducing Injection Pain
- Warm it up: Allowing the medication to reach room temperature for 15-30 minutes can significantly reduce the stinging sensation.
- Ice the site: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the injection site for a few minutes beforehand to numb the area.
- Stay relaxed: Tense muscles can make injections more painful. Sit in a comfortable, supportive chair and practice deep breathing.
- Switch to the citrate-free formula: A newer, citrate-free formulation of Humira is available that many patients report is less painful. Discuss this option with your doctor if pain is a concern.
Conclusion
Successfully administering your Humira injection from home requires careful preparation and technique. By following the detailed instructions for your specific device—whether it's the auto-injector pen or the prefilled syringe—and incorporating pain-reducing strategies like warming the medication and rotating injection sites, you can manage your treatment confidently. Always ensure you have a sharps container for safe disposal and contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the process. With practice, self-injection becomes a manageable part of your treatment regimen.
For more information on the proper use and safety of Humira, you can consult the manufacturer's official instructions for use: HUMIRA® (adalimumab) instructions for use.
