Humira (adalimumab) treats certain types of arthritis and inflammatory diseases. This prescription drug is a liquid for injection under your skin. Humira may not be safe to receive while pregnant but may be while breastfeeding.
Keep reading to learn more about Humira and reproductive health. And for a detailed overview of this drug, check out this article.
If you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Humira is a safe option for you.
Adalimumab, the active ingredient in Humira, passes through the placenta to the developing fetus. This occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy. But studies don’t show a link between Humira use and development problems in pregnancy.
Some experts say that having rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease that’s difficult to manage, such as Crohn’s disease, can affect pregnancy negatively. And keep in mind that doctors prescribe Humira for those conditions.
Also, because of how Humira works, doctors will weigh the benefits and risks of giving some vaccines to certain babies. Specifically, these are babies who experienced exposure to Humira during the last trimester of pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant or considering pregnancy, talk with your doctor before starting Humira.
If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects that Humira could have on you or the child who is breastfed.
Humira does pass into breast milk. But studies haven’t reported side effects from Humira in children who are breastfed. Also, Humira doesn’t seem to decrease milk production in people who are breastfeeding.
If you’re breastfeeding, your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks of Humira treatment. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you’ll be breastfeeding while receiving Humira.
Disclaimer: Healthline 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.