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Actemra vs. Hadlima

Are Actemra and Hadlima the Same Thing?

Actemra (tocilizumab) and Hadlima (adalimumab-bwwd) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Hadlima is also used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), adult Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and plaque psoriasis (Ps).

Hadlima is biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab).

Actemra and Hadlima belong to different drug classes. Actemra is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitor and Hadlima is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker.

Side effects of Hadlima and Actemra that are similar include headache.

Side effects of Actemra that are different from Hadlima include runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, dizziness, itching, mild stomach cramps, and urinary tract infection (UTI).

Side effects of Hadlima that are different from Actemra include infections (e.g. upper respiratory tract, sinusitis), injection site reactions (redness, itching, bleeding, pain, and swelling), and rash.

Both Actemra and Hadlima may interact with abatacept, anakinra, blood thinners, cyclosporine, theophylline, and live vaccines.

Actemra may also interact with birth control pills, digoxin, omeprozole, sirolimus, etanercept, monoclonal antibodies, cholesterol-lowering medications, seizure medications, heart rhythm medications, drugs that weaken your immune system, and pain or arthritis medications.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Actemra?

Side effects of Actemra include:

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Actemra including:

  • severe stomach pain with constipation,
  • bloody or tarry stools,
  • coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds,
  • painful blistering skin rash with burning/itching/tingly feeling,
  • upper stomach pain,
  • vomiting,
  • loss of appetite,
  • dark urine,
  • clay-colored stools, or
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Hadlima?

Common side effects of Hadlima include:

  • infections (e.g. upper respiratory tract, sinusitis),
  • injection site reactions (redness, itching, bleeding, pain, and swelling),
  • headache, and
  • rash

What Is Actemra?

Actemra (tocilizumab) is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitor used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults.

What Is Hadlima?

Hadlima (adalimumab-bwwd) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for treatment of rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), adult Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and plaque psoriasis (Ps). Hadlima is biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab).

 

What Drugs Interact With Actemra?

Actemra may interact with other drugs, including birth control pills, blood thinners, cyclosporine, digoxin, omeprozole, sirolimus, theophylline, abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, rituximab, cholesterol-lowering medications, seizure medications, heart rhythm medications, drugs that weaken your immune system, and pain or arthritis medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you take. If you are pregnant, only take Actemra if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known if Actemra passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Hadlima?

Hadlima may interact with abatacept, anakinra, warfarin, cyclosporine, theophylline, and live vaccines.

 

How Should Actemra Be Taken?

Actemra is given once every four weeks by intravenous (IV) infusion by your doctor. Actemra can be taken with or without methotrexate (or other DMARDs).

How Should Hadlima Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Hadlima for adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is 40 mg every other week. Pediatric dosage is determined by the child's weight. Dosing for other conditions varies.