Humira Approved for Ulcerative Colitis

Humira (adalimumab), an anti-TNF drug that is approved to treat Crohn's disease as well as several other autoimmune conditions, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States to also treat moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in adults.

There were two studies done to test the effectiveness of Humira on patients with ulcerative colitis. Between 16% and 18% of patients receiving the drug achieved remission. Patients included in these studies had never received any other anti-TNF drug, such as Remicade. It's not known if Humira will be effective in patients with ulcerative colitis who have been treated with another anti-TNF drug.

The side effects in these studies were similar to those seen in other studies of Humira: infections, injection-site reactions, headaches, and rashes.

More about Humira:

• Humira Crosses The Placenta During Pregnancy
• Humira Approved To Treat Ulcerative Colitis In Europe
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha

_Source:

_{US Food And Drug Association. "FDA approves Humira to treat ulcerative colitis." FDA.gov. 28 Sept 2012. 1 Oct 2012.}