Dosage for Humira (adalimumab) may vary based on the condition it’s being used to treat. Also, your doctor may adjust your dosage over the course of your treatment. Be sure to take the Humira dosage your doctor prescribes.

Humira (adalimumab) is a prescription drug used to treat a variety of conditions.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Humira to treat:

Humira comes as a solution for injection under your skin. Injections are usually given weekly or once every 2 weeks.

Humira is a biologic drug and belongs to a group of drugs called immunosuppressants. The active ingredient in Humira is adalimumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This article describes the dosages of Humira, as well as its strengths and how to use it. To learn more about Humira, including its side effects and uses, read this in-depth Humira article.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Humira. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.

You may receive your first dose of Humira in a doctor’s office or clinic. After that, you may give yourself Humira injections at home. You and your doctor will decide together whether using Humira at home is right for you.

Humira forms

Humira comes as a liquid solution in three forms:

  • a single-dose, prefilled injection pen called Humira Pen
  • a single-dose, prefilled syringe
  • a single-dose vial (which is only used if receiving injections from your doctor)

Humira strengths

Humira is available in several strengths, depending on the form of Humira you use.

The single-dose, prefilled injection pen comes in the following strengths:

  • 40 milligrams (mg) per 0.4 milliliters (mL) of solution
  • 40 mg per 0.8 mL of solution
  • 80 mg per 0.8 mL of solution

The single-dose, prefilled syringe comes in the following strengths:

  • 10 mg per 0.1 mL of solution
  • 10 mg per 0.2 mL of solution
  • 20 mg per 0.2 mL of solution
  • 20 mg per 0.4 mL of solution
  • 40 mg per 0.4 mL of solution
  • 40 mg per 0.8 mL of solution
  • 80 mg per 0.8 mL of solution

The single-dose vial comes in one strength: 40 mg per 0.8 mL.

The Humira dosage your doctor prescribes may vary depending on the condition it’s being used to treat. Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from taking your medication.

When used for certain conditions, your first dose of Humira will be higher than your usual dose. This is called a “loading dose,” and it’s given to help the drug start working quickly to treat your condition.

Then, your doctor will lower your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The maximum dosage for Humira will depend on the condition it’s being used to treat.

The sections below describe dosing schedules that are commonly used or recommended for each condition Humira is approved to treat. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for ulcerative colitis

When Humira is used for ulcerative colitis in adults, treatment starts with a loading dose of 160 mg. This can be given as one dose in a single day or split into two doses over 2 days. For example, you might take 80 mg on day 1 and another 80 mg on day 2.

Two weeks after your loading dose (day 15), you’ll receive an 80-mg injection. And 2 weeks after that (day 29), you’ll start taking 40 mg every other week.

Humira is available in a starter kit that helps you follow this dosing schedule. The kit contains prefilled Humira pens.

Dosage for hidradenitis suppurativa

For treating hidradenitis suppurativa in adults, the first dose of Humira is a loading dose of 160 mg. You can take this as one dose in a single day. Or you can split it into two doses given over 2 days. For example, you might take 80 mg on day 1 and another 80 mg on day 2.

Two weeks after your loading dose (day 15), you’ll receive an 80-mg injection. And 2 weeks after that (day 29), you’ll start taking either 40 mg weekly or 80 mg every other week.

Humira is available in a starter kit that helps you follow this dosing schedule. The kit contains prefilled Humira pens.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis

When prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the typical dosage of Humira is 40 mg every other week.

Your doctor might increase your Humira dosage for RA in certain situations. For example, if you aren’t taking methotrexate (Trexall) with Humira, your doctor may prescribe weekly dosing of 40 mg. Or instead of a weekly dose, they may prescribe 80 mg every other week.

Dosage for plaque psoriasis

For plaque psoriasis, you’ll start with a loading dose of 80 mg of Humira. One week after your loading dose, you’ll start taking 40 mg every other week.

Humira is available in a starter kit that helps you follow this dosing schedule. The kit contains prefilled Humira pens.

Dosage for psoriatic arthritis

When prescribed to treat psoriatic arthritis, the typical dosage of Humira is 40 mg every other week.

Dosage for Crohn’s disease

When used for Crohn’s disease in adults, Humira treatment begins with a loading dose of 160 mg. This can be given as one dose in a single day or split into two doses over 2 days. For example, you might take 80 mg on day 1 and another 80 mg on day 2.

Two weeks after your loading dose (day 15), you’ll receive a single dose of 80 mg. And 2 weeks after that (day 29), you’ll start taking 40 mg every other week.

Humira is available in a starter kit that helps you follow this dosing schedule. The kit contains prefilled Humira pens.

Dosage for uveitis

When Humira is used to treat uveitis in adults, the first dose is a loading dose of 80 mg. One week after your loading dose, you’ll start taking 40 mg every other week.

Humira is available in a starter kit that helps you follow this dosing schedule. The kit contains prefilled Humira pens.

Dosage for ankylosing spondylitis

When used to treat ankylosing spondylitis, the typical dosage of Humira is 40 mg every other week.

The dosage of Humira for children depends on the condition the drug is used to treat. It also depends on the child’s body weight in kilograms.* Below are the recommended Humira dosages for children.

* One kilogram (kg) is equal to about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Dosage for juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Humira is prescribed to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older.

For this purpose, the typical Humira dosages are as follows:

  • In children who weigh 10 kg to less than 15 kg (about 22 lb to 32 lb): 10 mg every other week
  • In children who weigh 15 kg to less than 30 kg (about 33 lb to 65 lb): 20 mg every other week
  • In children who weigh 30 kg (about 66 lb) or more: 40 mg every other week

Children’s dosage for Crohn’s disease

Humira is used to treat Crohn’s disease in children ages 6 years and older.

The typical Humira dosages for this use are as follows:

  • In children who weigh 17 kg to less than 40 kg (about 37 lb to 87 lb):
    • On day 1: 80 mg
    • On day 15: 40 mg
    • Starting on day 29: 20 mg every other week
  • In children who weigh 40 kg (about 88 lb) or more:
    • On day 1: 160 mg as a single dose or split into two doses given on 2 consecutive days
    • On day 15: 80 mg
    • Starting on day 29: 40 mg every other week

Children’s dosage for hidradenitis suppurativa

Humira is prescribed to treat hidradenitis suppurativa in children ages 12 years and older.

For this purpose, the typical Humira dosages are as follows:

  • In children who weigh 30 kg to less than 60 kg (about 66 lb to 131 lb):
    • On day 1: 80 mg
    • Starting on day 8: 40 mg every other week
  • In children who weigh 60 kg (about 132 lb) or more:
    • On day 1: 160 mg as a single dose or split into two doses given on 2 consecutive days
    • On day 15: 80 mg
    • Starting on day 29: 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week

Children’s dosage for uveitis

Humira is prescribed to treat specific types of uveitis in children ages 2 years and older. For this purpose, the typical Humira dosages are as follows:

  • In children who weigh 10 kg to less than 15 kg (about 22 lb to 32 lb): 10 mg every other week
  • In children who weigh 15 kg to less than 30 kg (about 33 lb to 65 lb): 20 mg every other week
  • In children who weigh 30 kg (about 66 lb) or more: 40 mg every other week

Children’s dosage for ulcerative colitis

Humira is used to treat ulcerative colitis in children ages 5 years and older. For this purpose, the typical Humira dosages are as follows:

  • In children who weigh 20 kg to less than 40 kg (about 44 lb to 87 lb):
    • On day 1: 80 mg
    • On day 8: 40 mg
    • On day 15: 40 mg
    • Starting on day 29: 20 mg every week or 40 mg every other week
  • In children who weigh 40 kg (about 88 lb) or more:
    • On day 1: 160 mg as a single dose or split into two doses given on 2 consecutive days
    • On day 8: 80 mg
    • On day 15: 80 mg
    • Starting on day 29: 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week

Yes, Humira is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Humira is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.

You may receive your Humira injections in a doctor’s office or clinic. Or you may give yourself Humira injections at home.

Regardless of how the drug is given, it’s important that you don’t miss a dose of Humira. Getting consistent doses of the drug helps keep the levels of Humira in your body steady over time. This is important for treating your condition.

If you do miss an appointment to receive your Humira injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule.

If you forget to give yourself an injection of Humira, inject your missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then inject your next Humira dose at its regular time. You shouldn’t inject two doses of Humira at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could increase your risk for Humira side effects.

If you are not sure whether you should inject Humira after you’ve missed a dose, call your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to go to your Humira appointments or to take your dose of Humira on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

The dosage of Humira you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Humira to treat
  • your age
  • the form of Humira you’re using
  • other medications you take

When Humira is prescribed for children, the child’s body weight may also be a factor in their Humira dosage.

Humira is injected under your skin. You may receive your first dose of Humira from a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional in a doctor’s office or clinic. After that, you may be able to give yourself Humira injections at home.

Humira is injected into your thigh or abdomen (belly). Make sure to rotate where you inject the drug with each use. This will help lower your risk for pain, redness or discoloration, or swelling after the drug is injected. You shouldn’t inject the drug into areas of your skin that are bruised, hard, red, or tender.

If you’re going to be using Humira at home, your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to give yourself Humira injections. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website or read the prescribing information for step-by-step instructions.

Do not use more Humira than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you use too much Humira

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much X drug. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

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.