Why is adalimumab used in biologic therapy?

Adalimumab is a targeted biologic medicine. It binds to tumour necrosis factor, often shortened to TNF, and reduces the signal that helps drive inflammation. Lowering this signal may calm redness, scaling, thickening, tenderness, or itch in conditions such as psoriasis and other inflammatory disorders when a specialist considers it appropriate. It does not remove every possible cause of a skin flare, and response differs between people.

Because TNF also supports immune responses, treatment can change how the body handles infections. Before starting, a clinician usually reviews medical history, medicines, vaccination needs, and screening for certain infections. The medicine is given by injection, with the schedule and storage instructions set by the prescribing team.

Use adalimumab exactly as prescribed and keep a record of doses. Follow storage and injection instructions, rotate injection sites, and tell the treatment team about fever, a persistent cough, unusual tiredness, new wounds, or recent exposure to a serious infection. Discuss vaccines before treatment; some vaccines may need special timing. Do not double a missed dose unless the prescriber gives that instruction. Continue any accompanying skin care or topical treatment as directed.

Contact a clinician promptly for fever, worsening cough, shortness of breath, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, painful skin infection, or a wound that is slow to heal. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, facial swelling, widespread blistering, or symptoms suggesting a serious allergic reaction. Report new numbness, weakness, vision changes, or unusual bruising so the team can decide whether treatment needs review.

Ask which condition and inflammatory pathway are being treated, what infection checks are needed before the first dose, how to handle illness or a missed injection, and which vaccines are suitable.