New to Humira!

[Charlier50]

Hi all, Hope everyone is well.

I'm soon to be taking Humira. I've heard people saying that it used to hurt when injecting but now they have changed the formula or something, is that true?

Also as I'm not good at all with needles and only being 17. I was wondering if you can use any type of numbing cream or something before injecting?

 

[ronroush7]

Hi. I could be wrong but I thought I had read that the new formula is not available in the US yet. I wish you much success.

 

[Tommy21bn]

Hi, When I was put on Humira I suggested using a numbing cream for the injection. The Nurse said there was no point as they are often ineffective and you need to leave the cream on the skin several hours before injecting.

In the UK we have just moved over to the new formulation of Humira that removes the ingredient that causes the stinging. Therefore I have had the opportunity to try both formulations. To be honest, yes there is a stinging sensation after injecting the old formulation but this is caused by the contents of the syringe. No topical numbing cream will prevent a stinging sensation on the old formulation.

I hope the new Humira formulation is approved in the US soon. In the meantime, the sting is not that bad and you get used to it after a while. It's certainly not as bad as having to inject yourself with Clexane and all the attendant bruising and discomfort.

Good luck!

Tom

 

[ronroush7]

With me the sting lasted very briefly. I think I have heard of people using ice to help.

 

[Tesscorm]

Hi Charlie,

I'm going to tag some of the other members who may have experience with humira

MLP
Maya
pilgrim
Clash

Some members have lidocaine added to their prescription to lessen pain but, my understanding is that this is only available with syringe, not pen.

There is a topical numbing cream, Emla, but, as was said above, I believe the pain comes from the medication itself and the topical cream won't really help that.

But, have heard that letting the humira come to room temperate helps, injecting slowly and icing the area all help.

Good luck!

 

[Maya142]

Tess is right - definitely let the injection come to room temperature. My daughters always iced before and after the shot, that helped. They also did the shot while watching TV, so they were distracted.

Both my girls started out using the Humira pen because they didn't want to see the needle. However, my older daughter recently switched to the Humira syringe, because parents here told us it was less painful. She thinks the syringe is MUCH better.

Some parents do add Lidocaine to the shot. It helps with the burning of the medication. You would have to ask your GI about it.

You can certainly try numbing cream - my girls said it didn't help much because it only helps with the poke of the needle and not the burning of the medication.

There is going to be a new formulation of Humira released soon (hopefully). It has already been released in Europe. It is supposed to hurt a lot less.

 

[my little penguin]

^^^yesh that

We add lidocaine to the humira syringe. Ds rheumatologist prescribed it .(he takes humira for his Crohns and arthritis )
We let the syringe sit out of the fridge for about 1/2 hour
We use "shot blocker "

https://www.bionix.com/medicaltech/product/shotblocker/
A plastic piece which blocks the pain from the needle
It does not stop the burn

Sugar -lollipops during the shot help
Sugar blocks pain signals to the brain

Ice the area before and after reduces any swelling or redness

Good luck

It did take 3-5 months for humira to become effective though

 

[DanM]

Yes. It burns a little going in. Let it warm up for 30 minutes to an hour before using. A little numbing cream does help. But a little pain does build character, right?