What to Expect from Humira® Biosimilars

Many adults suffer from inflammatory conditions, leading to disease like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and psoriasis. Humira® (adalimumab) is an injectable medication that has been used to treat many of these inflammatory conditions.1 It works by neutralizing proteins in the body responsible for inflammation. While effective, Humira® is an expensive medication, with an estimated monthly cost of $8,000 without insurance.2 Recently, several lower-cost biosimilars of Humira® have received FDA-approval which could change the way inflammatory conditions are treated..

Humira® is a biologic drug, known as a monoclonal antibody. Biologic drugs are large, complex molecules made from living organisms.3 Due to the complex nature of biologics, it is very difficult to create exact chemical copies, or generic versions of them. Instead, alternatives called “biosimilars” are developed as a way to increase availability and lower healthcare costs. The original drug that a biosimilar is modeled after is known as a “reference drug”.While not technically generics, biosimilars are very similar to their reference drug, and have no clinically meaningful differences.3 Biosimilars of Humira® contain adalimumab, the same active ingredient in Humira®.

Humira®’s biosimilars cost much less than the price of Humira®.2 Some run as low as $600, which is less than a tenth of the cost of Humira®.2 Because of this, many people currently on Humira®, or other biologic drugs, are likely to be prescribed a biosimilar in the near future. While it can be scary to switch medication therapy, biosimilars are rigorously tested by the FDA to demonstrate that they are as safe and effective as their reference product.4  Patients who switch from Humira® to a biosimilar should expect to see similar results and side effects they experience with Humira®. Biosimilars are also designed to be given at the same dose and in the same manner as the reference product.3 

The new biosimilars on the market are expanding access to care by providing lower-cost alternatives to expensive biologic medications. By offering equivalent drugs at a fraction of the cost, more people suffering from inflammatory conditions may be able to afford this type of therapy in the future. For people on biologics, it is important to learn the basics of biosimilars as these medications are likely to become even more popular in the years to come.

1. Humira. Package insert. AbbVie; 2002.

2. Adalimumab. In: UpToDate Lexidrug. UpToDate Inc; 2025.  Accessed March 10, 2025. http://uptodate.com 

3. FDA.gov. Biosimilars: Overview for HealthCare Professionals. Updated August 1,2024. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/overview-health-care-professionals

4. FDA.gov. Biosimilars: Review and Approval. Updated December 13, 2022. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/review-and-approval

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board