The FDA has approved a new drug called Hadlima (adalimumab). It is a biosimilar, which is a type of medicine that is highly similar to an already approved biologic drug. Hadlima works by blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that causes inflammation in the body.
Hadlima is approved for many inflammatory conditions in adults. These include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and non-infectious uveitis. It is also approved for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (ages 2 and older) and Crohn's disease (ages 6 and older). The drug is given as an injection under the skin.
This approval gives doctors and patients another treatment option. Biosimilars like Hadlima can help make these medicines more available. However, it is important to know that this is not a new type of drug. It is a close copy of an existing medicine.
If you or a loved one has one of these conditions, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you understand if Hadlima might be right for you. Do not stop or change your current treatment without medical advice.