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Imuran vs. Humira

Are Imuran and Humira the Same Thing?

Imuran (azathioprine) and Humira (adalimumab) are used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Imuran is also used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney.

Humira is also used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, and to treat Crohn's disease after other drugs have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Imuran and Humira belong to different drug classes. Imuran is an immunosuppressive antimetabolite and Humira is an injectable protein (antibody).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Imuran?

Common side effects of Imuran include:

    Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Imuran including:

    • muscle loss,
    • hair loss,
    • cold/numbness in the fingers,
    • mouth sores,
    • difficult/painful swallowing, or
    • greasy stools.

    What Are Possible Side Effects of Humira?

    Common side effects of Humira include:

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

    • fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat,
    • stomach pain,
    • blood in the stools,
    • mental/mood changes,
    • severe headache,
    • easy bruising or bleeding,
    • dark urine,
    • yellowing eyes and skin,
    • leg pain or swelling,
    • numbness or tingling of the arms/hands/legs/feet,
    • unsteadiness,
    • unexplained muscle weakness,
    • difficulty with speaking/chewing/swallowing/facial movements,
    • vision changes,
    • extreme fatigue,
    • joint pain, or
    • butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks.

    What Is Imuran?

    Imuran (azathioprine) is an immunosuppressive antimetabolite used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney. Imuran is also used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Imuran is available in generic form.

    What Is Humira?

    Humira (adalimumab) is an injectable protein (antibody) used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis. Humira is also used to treat Crohn's disease after other drugs have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

     

    What Drugs Interact With Imuran?

    Imuran may interact with other medicines that weaken the immune system.

    Imuran may interact with allopurinol, methotrexate, blood thinners, olsalazine, sulfasalazine, sulfamethoxasole, trimethoprim, or ACE inhibitors.

    What Drugs Interact With Humira?

    Humira may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

     

    How Should Imuran Be Taken?

    The dose of Imuran to prevent transplant rejection and minimize toxicity varies. The initial dose is usually 3 to 5 mg/kg daily, beginning at the time of transplant. It is usually given as a single daily dose on the day of, and in some cases 1 to 3 days before, transplantation. Maintenance levels of 1 to 3 mg/kg daily are usually possible. For rheumatoid arthritis, the initial dose is approx. 1.0 mg/kg (50 to 100 mg) given as a single dose or twice-daily. Maximum dose is 2.5 mg/kg per day.

    How Should Humira Be Taken?

    Humira is given by an injection under the skin. Your doctor will tell you how often to take an injection of Humira. This is based on your condition to be treated. Do not inject Humira more often than you were prescribed.

    Do not try to inject Humira yourself until you have been shown the right way to give the injections. If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver may be able to give your injections of Humira at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject Humira.

    Do not miss any doses of Humira unless your doctor says it is okay. If you forget to take Humira, inject a dose as soon as you remember. Then, take your next dose at your regular scheduled time. This will put you back on schedule.

    In case you are not sure when to inject Humira, call your doctor or pharmacist.

    If you take more Humira than you were told to take, call your doctor.