Amjevita (Adalimumab-atto) for Spondylitis

Overview
Amjevita is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to active ankylosing spondylitis in adults. Amjevita may be referred to by its drug name, Adalimumab-atto. In 2017, the manufacturer of Amjevita announced that the medication will not be marketed in the U.S. until 2023.

Amjevita is a biosimilar of Humira. As defined by the FDA, a biosimilar is a biological product that is approved based on a showing that it is highly similar to an already-approved biological product.

Amjevita is an immunomodulator, or in other words, a drug that modulates the immune system. It is considered a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Amjevita is a genetically engineered antibody, or protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize substances. Amjevita is believed to work by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a chemical messenger involved in autoimmune attacks.

How do I take it?
Amjevita is administered as a subcutaneous injection every week or every other week.

Amjevita is available as single-use, prefilled auto-injector or syringe.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Amjevita lists common side effects including headache, rash, infections, and injection site reactions.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Amjevita can include severe infections, heart failure, increased risk for certain types of cancer, lupus-like syndrome, severe allergic reactions, and the development of demyelinating conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

For answers to frequently asked questions about exposure to Adalimumab during pregnancy and breastfeeding, visit the experts at MothertoBaby.org.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Amjevita – Amgen
https://www.amgen.com/media/news-releases/2016/...
Launch of adalimumab biosimilar Amjevita postponed - MDedge Rheumatology
https://www.mdedge.com/rheumatology/article/148...