Adalimumab and Interferon Gamma

• Generic Name: adalimumab
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Humira, Humira Pen, Humira Pen Crohns/UlcerColit/HidraSuppur, Humira Pen Psoriasis/Uveitis Starter Package, Humira Pediatric, Humira Pediatric Crohn's Disease Starter Pack, Humira Pre-Filled Syringe, Humira Pen Psoriasis/Uveitis/Adol HidraSuppur Starter Pack, Humira Pen Crohns/Ulcer Colitis/Hidradenitis Suppurati StrPk

Adalimumab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation.

Adalimumab is used to treat many inflammatory conditions in adults, such as ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, and a skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa.

Adalimumab is also used in adults and children to treat Crohn's disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or uveitis.

Adalimumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: interferon gamma-1b
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Actimmune

Reduction of the frequency and severity of serious infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Treatment to delay the time to disease progression in patients with severe, malignant osteopetrosis (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Interferon gamma-1b was investigated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with mild-to-moderate lung function impairment in the INSPIRE study; the study was terminated early when interim data analysis indicated lack of benefit in patients receiving the drug. Interim analysis also indicated that 14.5% of patients receiving interferon gamma 1-b died compared with 12.7% of those receiving placebo.

Interferon gamma-1b is not approved for use in patients with IPF. FDA suggests that health-care professionals should discuss the results of this trial with their patients receiving the drug for IPF and carefully consider whether they should continue to receive treatment with interferon gamma-1b.