AMGEVITA HCF 40 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen

adalimumab

AMGEVITA contains the active substance adalimumab, a medicine that acts on your body’s immune (defence) system.

AMGEVITA is intended for the treatment of the inflammatory diseases described below:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Enthesitis-related arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Plaque psoriasis
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Non-infectious uveitis

The active ingredient in AMGEVITA, adalimumab, is a human monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that attach to a specific target.

The target of adalimumab is a protein called tumour necrosis factor (TNFα), which is involved in the immune (defence) system and is present at increased levels in the inflammatory diseases listed above. By attaching to TNFα, AMGEVITA decreases the process of inflammation in these diseases.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints.

AMGEVITA is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults. If you have moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, you may first be given other disease-modifying medicines, such as methotrexate. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given AMGEVITA to treat your rheumatoid arthritis.

AMGEVITA can also be used to treat severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis without previous methotrexate treatment.

AMGEVITA slows down the damage to the cartilage and bone of the joints caused by the disease and to improve physical function.

Usually, AMGEVITA is used with methotrexate. If your doctor determines that methotrexate is inappropriate, AMGEVITA can be given alone.

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and enthesitis-related arthritis

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and enthesitis-related arthritis are inflammatory diseases of the joints that usually first appear in childhood.

AMGEVITA is used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients from 2 years and enthesitis-related arthritis in patients from 6 years. You may first be given other disease-modifying medicines, such as methotrexate. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given AMGEVITA to treat your polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis or enthesitis-related arthritis.

Ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis, are inflammatory diseases of the spine.

AMGEVITA is used to treat ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis in adults. If you have ankylosing spondylitis or axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis, you will first be given other medicines. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given AMGEVITA to reduce the signs and symptoms of your disease.

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammation of the joints associated with psoriasis.

AMGEVITA is used to treat psoriatic arthritis in adults. AMGEVITA slows down the damage to the cartilage and bone of the joints caused by the disease and to improve physical function.

Plaque psoriasis in adults and children

Plaque psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. Plaque psoriasis can also affect the nails, causing them to crumble, become thickened and lift away from the nail bed which can be painful. Psoriasis is believed to be caused by a problem with the body’s immune system that leads to an increased production of skin cells.

AMGEVITA is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. AMGEVITA is also used to treat severe plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years for whom topical therapy and phototherapies have either not worked very well or are not suitable.

Hidradenitis suppurativa in adults and adolescents

Hidradenitis suppurativa (sometimes called acne inversa) is a chronic and often painful inflammatory skin disease. Symptoms may include tender nodules (lumps) and abscesses (boils) that may leak pus. It most commonly affects specific areas of the skin, such as under the breasts, the armpits, inner thighs, groin and buttocks. Scarring may also occur in affected areas.

AMGEVITA is used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age. AMGEVITA can reduce the number of nodules and abscesses you have, and the pain that is often associated with the disease. You may first be given other medicines. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given AMGEVITA.

Crohn’s disease in adults and children

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract.

AMGEVITA is used to treat Crohn’s disease in adults and children aged 6 to 17 years. If you have Crohn’s disease you will first be given other medicines. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given AMGEVITA to reduce the signs and symptoms of your Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative colitis in adults and children

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine.

AMGEVITA is used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in adults and children aged 6 to 17 years. If you have ulcerative colitis you may first be given other medicines. If you do not respond well enough to these medicines, you will be given AMGEVITA to reduce the signs and symptoms of your disease.

Non-infectious uveitis in adults and children

Non-infectious uveitis is an inflammatory disease affecting certain parts of the eye.

AMGEVITA is used to treat

• Adults with non-infectious uveitis with inflammation affecting the back of the eye.
• Children from 2 years of age with chronic non-infectious uveitis with inflammation affecting the front of the eye.

This inflammation may lead to a decrease of vision and/or the presence of floaters in the eye (black dots or wispy lines that move across the field of vision). AMGEVITA works by reducing this inflammation.

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis

AMGEVITA is injected under the skin (subcutaneous use). The usual dose for adults with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis, and for patients with psoriatic arthritis is 40 mg given every other week as a single dose.

In rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate is continued while using AMGEVITA. If your doctor determines that methotrexate is inappropriate, AMGEVITA can be given alone.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis and you do not receive methotrexate with your AMGEVITA therapy, your doctor may decide to give 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week.

Children, adolescents and adults with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Children, adolescents and adults from 2 years of age weighing 30 kg or more

The recommended dose of AMGEVITA is 40 mg every other week.

Children, adolescents and adults with enthesitis-related arthritis

Children, adolescents and adults from 6 years of age weighing 30 kg or more

The recommended dose of AMGEVITA is 40 mg every other week.

Adults with plaque psoriasis

The usual dose for adults with plaque psoriasis is an initial dose of 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day), followed by 40 mg given every other week starting one week after the initial dose. You should continue to inject AMGEVITA for as long as your doctor has told you. Depending on your response, your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week.

Children and adolescents with plaque psoriasis

Children and adolescents from 4 to 17 years of age weighing 30 kg or more

The recommended dose of AMGEVITA is an initial dose of 40 mg, followed by 40 mg one week later. Thereafter, the usual dose is 40 mg every other week.

Adults with hidradenitis suppurativa

The usual dose regimen for hidradenitis suppurativa is an initial dose of 160 mg (as four 40 mg injections in one day or two 40 mg injections per day for two consecutive days), followed by an 80 mg dose (as two 40 mg injections in one day) two weeks later. After two further weeks, continue with a dose of 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week, as prescribed by your doctor. It is recommended that you use an antiseptic wash daily on the affected areas.

Adolescents with hidradenitis suppurativa from 12 to 17 years of age weighing 30 kg or more

The recommended dose of AMGEVITA is an initial dose of 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day), followed by 40 mg every other week starting one week later. If you have an inadequate response to AMGEVITA 40 mg every other week, your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week.

It is recommended that you use an antiseptic wash daily on the affected areas.

Adults with Crohn’s disease

The usual dose regimen for Crohn’s disease is 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day) initially followed by 40 mg every other week two weeks later. If a faster response is required, your doctor may prescribe an initial dose of 160 mg (as four 40 mg injections in one day or two 40 mg injections per day for two consecutive days), followed by 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day) two weeks later, and thereafter as 40 mg every other week. Depending on your response, your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week.

Children and adolescents with Crohn's disease

Children and adolescents from 6 to 17 years of age weighing less than 40 kg

The usual dose regimen is 40 mg initially followed by 20 mg two weeks later. If a faster response is required, your doctor may prescribe an initial dose of 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day) followed by 40 mg two weeks later.

Thereafter, the usual dose is 20 mg every other week. Depending on your response, your doctor may increase the dose frequency to 20 mg every week.

The 40 mg pre-filled pen cannot be used for the 20 mg dose. An AMGEVITA 20 mg pre-filled syringe is however available for the 20 mg dose.

Children and adolescents from 6 to 17 years of age weighing 40 kg or more

The usual dose regimen is 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day) initially followed by 40 mg two weeks later. If a faster response is required, your doctor may prescribe an initial dose of 160 mg (as four 40 mg injections in one day or as two 40 mg injections per day for two consecutive days) followed by 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day) two weeks later.

Thereafter, the usual dose is 40 mg every other week. Depending on your response, your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week.

Adults with ulcerative colitis

The usual AMGEVITA dose for adults with ulcerative colitis is 160 mg initially (as four 40 mg injections in one day or as two 40 mg injections per day for two consecutive days) followed by 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day) two weeks later, then 40 mg every other week. Depending on your response, your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week.

Children and adolescents with ulcerative colitis

Children and adolescents from 6 years of age weighing less than 40 kg

The usual AMGEVITA dose is 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day) initially followed by 40 mg (as one 40 mg injection) two weeks later. Thereafter, the usual dose is 40 mg every other week.

Patients who turn 18 years of age while on 40 mg every other week, should continue their prescribed dose.

Children and adolescents from 6 years of age weighing 40 kg or more

The usual AMGEVITA dose is 160 mg (as four 40 mg injections in one day or two 40 mg injections per day for two consecutive days) initially, followed by 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day) two weeks later. Thereafter the usual dose is 80 mg every other week.

Patients who turn 18 years of age while on 80 mg every other week, should continue their prescribed dose.

Adults with non-infectious uveitis

The usual dose for adults with non-infectious uveitis is an initial dose of 80 mg (as two 40 mg injections in one day), followed by 40 mg given every other week starting one week after the initial dose. You should continue to inject AMGEVITA for as long as your doctor has told you.

In non-infectious uveitis, corticosteroids or other medicines that influence the immune system may be continued while using AMGEVITA. AMGEVITA can also be given alone.

Children and adolescents with chronic non-infectious uveitis from 2 years of age

Children and adolescents from 2 years of age weighing less than 30 kg

The usual dose of AMGEVITA is 20 mg every other week with methotrexate.

Your doctor may also prescribe an initial dose of 40 mg which may be administered one week prior to the start of the usual dose.

The 40 mg pre-filled pen cannot be used for the 20 mg dose. An AMGEVITA 20 mg pre-filled syringe is however available for the 20 mg dose.

Children and adolescents from 2 years of age weighing 30 kg or more

The usual dose of AMGEVITA is 40 mg every other week with methotrexate.

Your doctor may also prescribe an initial dose of 80 mg which may be administered one week prior to the start of the usual dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Most side effects are mild to moderate. However, some may be serious and require treatment. Side effects may occur at least up to 4 months after the last AMGEVITA injection.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following signs of allergic reaction or heart failure:

• severe rash, hives or other signs of allergic reaction;
• swollen face, hands, feet;
• trouble breathing, swallowing;
• shortness of breath with exertion or upon lying down or swelling of the feet.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

• signs of infection such as fever, feeling sick, wounds, dental problems, burning on urination;
• feeling weak or tired;
• coughing;
• tingling;
• numbness;
• double vision;
• arm or leg weakness;
• signs of skin cancer such as a bump or open sore that doesn't heal;
• signs and symptoms suggestive of blood disorders such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, paleness.

The symptoms described above can be signs of the below listed side effects, which have been observed with adalimumab.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• injection site reactions (including pain, swelling, redness or itching);
• respiratory tract infections (including cold, runny nose, sinus infection, pneumonia);
• headache;
• abdominal pain;
• nausea and vomiting;
• rash;
• musculoskeletal pain.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• serious infections (including blood poisoning and influenza);
• intestinal infections (including gastroenteritis);
• skin infections (including cellulitis and shingles);
• ear infections;
• oral infections (including tooth infections and cold sores);
• reproductive tract infections;
• urinary tract infection;
• fungal infections;
• joint infections;
• benign tumours;
• skin cancer;
• allergic reactions (including seasonal allergy);
• dehydration;
• mood swings (including depression);
• anxiety;
• difficulty sleeping;
• sensation disorders such as tingling, prickling or numbness;
• migraine;
• nerve root compression (including low back pain and leg pain);
• vision disturbances;
• eye inflammation;
• inflammation of the eye lid and eye swelling;
• vertigo (feeling of dizziness or spinning);
• sensation of heart beating rapidly;
• high blood pressure;
• flushing;
• haematoma;
• cough;
• asthma;
• shortness of breath;
• gastrointestinal bleeding;
• dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, heart burn);
• acid reflux disease;
• sicca syndrome (including dry eyes and dry mouth);
• itching;
• itchy rash;
• bruising;
• inflammation of the skin (such as eczema);
• breaking of finger nails and toe nails;
• increased sweating;
• hair loss;
• new onset or worsening of psoriasis;
• muscle spasms;
• blood in urine;
• kidney problems;
• chest pain;
• oedema;
• fever;
• reduction in blood platelets which increases risk of bleeding or bruising;
• impaired healing.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• opportunistic infections (which include tuberculosis and other infections that occur when resistance to disease is lowered);
• neurological infections (including viral meningitis);
• eye infections;
• bacterial infections;
• diverticulitis (inflammation and infection of the large intestine);
• cancer, including cancer that affects the lymph system (lymphoma) and melanoma (skin cancer);
• immune disorders that could affect the lungs, skin and lymph nodes (most commonly presenting as sarcoidosis);
• vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels);
• tremor;
• neuropathy;
• stroke;
• hearing loss, buzzing;
• sensation of heart beating irregularly such as skipped beats;
• heart problems that can cause shortness of breath or ankle swelling;
• heart attack;
• a sac in the wall of a major artery, inflammation and clot of a vein, blockage of a blood vessel;
• lung diseases causing shortness of breath (including inflammation);
• pulmonary embolism (blockage in an artery of the lung);
• pleural effusion (abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural space);
• inflammation of the pancreas which causes severe pain in the abdomen and back;
• difficulty in swallowing;
• facial oedema;
• gallbladder inflammation, gallbladder stones;
• fatty liver;
• night sweats;
• scar;
• abnormal muscle breakdown;
• systemic lupus erythematosus (including inflammation of skin, heart, lung, joints and other organ systems);
• sleep interruptions;
• impotence;
• inflammations.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1 000 people)

• leukaemia (cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow);
• severe allergic reaction with shock;
• multiple sclerosis;
• nerve disorders (such as eye nerve inflammation and Guillain-Barré syndrome that may cause muscle weakness, abnormal sensations, tingling in the arms and upper body);
• heart stops pumping;
• pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lung);
• intestinal perforation (hole in the wall of the gut);
• hepatitis (liver inflammation);
• reactivation of hepatitis B;
• autoimmune hepatitis (inflammation of the liver caused by the body's own immune system);
• cutaneous vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels in the skin);
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (life-threatening reaction with flu-like symptoms and blistering rash);
• facial oedema associated with allergic reactions;
• erythema multiforme (inflammatory skin rash);
• lupus-like syndrome;
• angioedema (localised swelling of the skin);
• lichenoid skin reaction (itchy reddish-purple skin rash).

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from available data)

• hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (a rare blood cancer that is often fatal);
• Merkel cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer);
• Kaposi’s sarcoma, a rare cancer related to infection with human herpes virus 8. Kaposi’s sarcoma most commonly appears as purple lesions on the skin;
• liver failure;
• worsening of a condition called dermatomyositis (seen as a skin rash accompanying muscle weakness);
• weight gain (for most patients, the weight gain was small).

Some side effects observed with adalimumab may not have symptoms and may only be discovered through blood tests. These include:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• low blood measurements for white blood cells;
• low blood measurements for red blood cells;
• increased lipids in the blood;
• elevated liver enzymes.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• high blood measurements for white blood cells;
• low blood measurements for platelets;
• increased uric acid in the blood;
• abnormal blood measurements for sodium;
• low blood measurements for calcium;
• low blood measurements for phosphate;
• high blood sugar;
• high blood measurements for lactate dehydrogenase;
• autoantibodies present in the blood;
• low blood potassium.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• elevated bilirubin measurement (liver blood test).

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1 000 people)

• low blood measurements for white blood cells, red blood cells and platelet count.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze.

Store in the original carton in order to protect from light.

A single AMGEVITA pre-filled pen may be stored at temperatures up to a maximum of 25°C for a period of up to 14 days. The pre-filled pen must be protected from light, and discarded if not used within the 14-day period.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder: