8 years on Humira, flares are more common

[MrsKing]

So, just wondering if Humira stops working after a while? It's been 8 years and I inject every other week. If I miss a day, my colon let's me know. I've had several flares while on Humira and I'm flaring now and have been in this flare for going on 2 weeks. My apt with the Gastro Doc isn't until November, should I call and try to get in sooner? How long can Humira work? Just curious????

 

[Clash]

Humira can stop working after awhile. Your body can build up antibodies to the drug and that would cause it to lose effectiveness. Sometimes, as with all meds, they can just fail you after working for a long period of time.

If there are no antibodies your GI may decide to up your dose to see if that helps bring you back in remission or more often, with Humira, they Will shorten the schedule.

A call to your GI may be in order if you continue to flare, you don't want the inflammation to go unchecked.

 

[theOcean]

I would recommend getting an antibody test to see if that's the reason Humira has stopped working for you. It happens unfortunately -- our bodies will build up antibodies over time if we're unlucky. The only thing to do is switch to another biologic. I agree with Clash and think you should call your GI to let them know. You don't want to get sicker, after all!

 

[Scaryman]

Humira can stop working after awhile. Your body can build up antibodies to the drug and that would cause it to lose effectiveness. Sometimes, as with all meds, they can just fail you after working for a long period of time.

If there are no antibodies your GI may decide to up your dose to see if that helps bring you back in remission or more often, with Humira, they Will shorten the schedule.

A call to your GI may be in order if you continue to flare, you don't want the inflammation to go unchecked.

This is why I take MTX, to work against the antibodies. Makes Humira pack a bigger punch.