Remicade vs humira

Remicade (infliximab) and Humira (adalimumab) are both laboratory-synthesized proteins. They are different chemicals on a molecular level, but they are designed to do the same thing: block a specific immune antibody that causes inflammation in a half-dozen different autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The side effects common to both Remicade and Humira include:

• headache,
• rash,
• nausea, and
• abdominal pain.

The chief worry for a patient taking these injections, however, is the risk of a bacterial or fungal infection. After all, the express goal of both Remicade and Humira is to suppress the immune system. This helps control the symptoms of autoimmune disorders, but also decreases your body's ability to fight infections.

Drug interactions are minimal, but doctors should never administer live vaccines to people taking infliximab and adalimumab because of the immune suppression effects mentioned above.

Doctors prescribe infliximab and adalimumab for treatment of the following conditions:

• rheumatoid arthritis,
• psoriatic arthritis,
• ankylosing spondylitis,
• plaque psoriasis,
• juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and
• Crohn's disease

Researchers haven't conducted studies of either of these drugs in pregnant or nursing mothers, though monkey studies of Humira showed no ill effects to the fetuses.

In the absence of research, doctors must weigh the risks and benefits before prescribing Remicade or Humira to pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

Because of the potential immune suppression effects, however, the prescribing information recommends against administering live vaccines to a baby within six months of being exposed to a TNF inhibitor.