Remicade (infliximab) and Humira (adalimumab) are brand-name prescription medications. They’re approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat similar conditions.
To learn more about the conditions that Remicade and Humira can be used to treat, see the “Uses of Remicade vs. Humira” section below.
This article covers the main similarities and differences between Remicade and Humira. If you’re interested in taking one of these drugs, reviewing this information with your doctor can help you decide whether Remicade or Humira may be a better option.
Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, you can refer to our Remicade and Humira articles.
Key differences between Remicade and Humira
These are a few of the main differences between Remicade and Humira:
- Dosage: Humira is given more often than Remicade. (See the “Dosages, forms, and administration” section.)
- Form: Remicade is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. Humira is given as a subcutaneous injection.
- Conditions treated: Doctors prescribe Remicade or Humira to treat several of the same conditions, but Humira is also used to treat additional conditions. (See the “Uses of Remicade vs. Humira” section.)
Below are answers to some common questions about Remicade and Humira.
How do Remicade and Humira compare with similar drugs, such as Enbrel and Entyvio?
Remicade, Humira, Enbrel, and Entyvio are all brand-name biologic medications. They’re prescribed to treat some of the same conditions.
The table below shows some key facts about these drugs.
| Remicade | Humira | Enbrel | Entyvio | |
| Active ingredient | infliximab | adalimumab | etanercept | vedolizumab |
| Year of original FDA approval | 1998 | 2002 | 1998 | 2014 |
| How it’s given | intravenous (IV) infusion | subcutaneous injection | subcutaneous injection | IV infusion |
| Typical maintenance dosing schedule | once every 6 or 8 weeks | once every week or every other week | once every week | once every 8 weeks |
| Biosimilar versions | • Avsola • Inflectra • Ixifi • Renflexis | • Abrilada • Amjevita • Hadlima • Hulio • HyrimozIdacio • Yuflyma • Yusimry | • Erelzi • Eticovo | no biosimilar versions available |
If you have questions about how Remicade and Humira compare with similar drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is Remicade a better treatment option than Humira or vice versa?
When comparing two similar drugs, such as Humira and Remicade, it isn’t possible to know if one drug will be better or stronger than the other. It depends on several factors, such as the condition the drug is being used to treat and how your body reacts.
Keep in mind that the effects of Remicade and Humira can vary. How another individual responds to these medications can differ from your body’s response.
To learn more about whether Remicade or Humira may be a better option for you, talk with your doctor.
Remicade and Humira have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following.
- Both Remicade and Humira are FDA-approved to treat:
- moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults
- ankylosing spondylitis in adults
- severe plaque psoriasis in adults
- psoriatic arthritis in adults
- Crohn’s disease in adults and children ages 6 years and older
- ulcerative colitis in adults and children ages 5 years and older for Humira; in adults and children ages 6 years and older for Remicade
- Humira is also FDA-approved to treat:
- moderate plaque psoriasis in adults
- certain types of uveitis in adults and children ages 2 years and older
- moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in adults and children ages 12 years and older
- moderate to severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older
How much Remicade or Humira costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy. You can visit Optum Perks* for price estimates of Remicade and Humira.
The actual price you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your insurance plan and your pharmacy. It will also depend on the cost of the visit to a healthcare professional to receive doses of Remicade.
Both Remicade and Humira are brand-name biologic drugs. The medications also come in several biosimilar versions. (Biosimilar drugs are like generic drugs, but for biologic drugs. However, biologic drugs cannot be copied exactly as they’re made from living cells.)
Biosimilar drugs are often less expensive than the original brand-name biologic drug. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn about the biosimilar versions of either drug.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
This section describes details about the effectiveness of Remicade and Humira.
Treatment guidelines. Another way to determine whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines. When an organization includes certain medications in treatment guidelines, this means research has shown the drugs to be safe and effective.
Remicade and Humira belong to a class of drugs called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. This class of drugs is included as a treatment option for people with:
- moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology
- ankylosing spondylitis in guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology
- Crohn’s disease in guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology
- ulcerative colitis in guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association
- plaque psoriasis in guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology/National Psoriasis Foundation
- psoriatic arthritis in guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology/National Psoriasis Foundation
Prescribing information. Remicade and Humira were found to be effective for treating the conditions listed above in clinical trials. For details about how these drugs performed in these trials, see the prescribing information for Remicade and Humira.
Keep in mind that clinical trial results may not apply to your individual health situation. Talk with your doctor to determine which of these drugs may be right for your condition.
Here’s information about the biosimilar status for Remicade and Humira, as well as details on their active ingredients.
| Remicade | Humira | |
| Biosimilar available | yes | yes |
| Active ingredients | infliximab | adalimumab |
| Drug class | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker | TNF blocker |
Both Remicade and Humira are brand-name biologic drugs. The medications also come in several biosimilar versions. Biosimilars are like generic drugs but for biologic drugs. Biologic drugs cannot be copied exactly as they’re made from living cells.
Biosimilar drugs are often less expensive than the original brand-name biologic drug. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn about the biosimilar versions of either drug.
Here’s a quick look at the dosage and administration of Remicade and Humira in adults for the conditions both drugs treat.
Dosage for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
Below are the dosages of Remicade and Humira for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. Doses are given in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) and mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight.
| Remicade for RA | Humira for RA | |
| Forms | intravenous (IV) infusion | subcutaneous injection |
| Strengths | 100 mg per vial | prefilled pens: • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL prefilled syringes: • 10 mg/0.1 mL • 10 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL vial: 40 mg/0.8 mL (Humira vials are for hospital use only) |
| Dose | 3 mg/kg, may be increased to 10 mg/kg in some cases | 40 mg or 80 mg |
| Frequency | initial doses at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks (or every 4 weeks in some cases) | once per week or every other week |
| Given by | healthcare professional (see below) | self or healthcare professional (see below) |
Remicade is only given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive Remicade infusions at your doctor’s office or clinic. The dose is given over a period of 2 hours or longer.
You’ll receive Humira as a subcutaneous injection. A healthcare professional may give you these injections at your doctor’s office or clinic. Or your doctor may show you or your caregiver how to give the injections at home.
Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and administration of Remicade or Humira that’s right for you.
Dosage for ankylosing spondylitis
Below are the dosages of Remicade and Humira for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults.
| Remicade for AS | Humira for AS | |
| Forms | IV infusion | subcutaneous injection |
| Strengths | 100 mg per vial | prefilled pens: • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL prefilled syringes: • 10 mg/0.1 mL • 10 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL vial: 40 mg/0.8 mL (Humira vials are for hospital use only) |
| Dose | 5 mg/kg | 40 mg or 80 mg |
| Frequency | initial doses at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then every 6 weeks | once per week or every other week |
| Given by | healthcare professional (see below) | self or healthcare professional (see below) |
Remicade is only given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive Remicade infusions at your doctor’s office or clinic. The dose is given over a period of 2 hours or longer.
You’ll receive Humira as a subcutaneous injection. A healthcare professional may give you these injections at your doctor’s office or clinic. Or your doctor may show you or your caregiver how to give the injections at home.
Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and administration of Remicade or Humira that’s right for you.
Dosage for Crohn’s disease
Below are the dosages of Remicade and Humira for Crohn’s disease (CD) in adults.
| Remicade for CD | Humira for CD | |
| Forms | IV infusion | subcutaneous injection |
| Strengths | 100 mg per vial | prefilled pens: • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL prefilled syringes: • 10 mg/0.1 mL • 10 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL vial: 40 mg/0.8 mL (Humira vials are for hospital use only) |
| Dose | 5 mg/kg, may be increased to 10 mg/kg in some cases | 160 mg for first dose, 80 mg for second dose, then 40 mg thereafter |
| Frequency | initial doses at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks | initial doses on day 1 (or split between days 1 and 2), day 15, and day 29, then every other week |
| Given by | healthcare professional (see below) | self or healthcare professional (see below) |
Remicade is only given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive Remicade infusions at your doctor’s office or clinic. The dose is given over a period of 2 hours or longer.
You’ll receive Humira as a subcutaneous injection. A healthcare professional may give you these injections at your doctor’s office or clinic. Or your doctor may show you or your caregiver how to give the injections at home.
Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and administration of Remicade or Humira that’s right for you.
Dosage for ulcerative colitis
Below are the dosages of Remicade and Humira for ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults.
| Remicade for UC | Humira for UC | |
| Forms | IV infusion | subcutaneous injection |
| Strengths | 100 mg per vial | prefilled pens: • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL prefilled syringes: • 10 mg/0.1 mL • 10 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL vial: 40 mg/0.8 mL (Humira vials are for hospital use only) |
| Dose | 5 mg/kg | 160 mg for first dose, 80 mg for second dose, then 40 mg thereafter |
| Frequency | initial doses at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks | initial doses on day 1 (or split between days 1 and 2), day 15, then every other week starting on day 29 |
| Given by | healthcare professional (see below) | self or healthcare professional (see below) |
Remicade is only given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive Remicade infusions at your doctor’s office or clinic. The dose is given over a period of 2 hours or longer.
You’ll receive Humira as a subcutaneous injection. A healthcare professional may give you these injections at your doctor’s office or clinic. Or your doctor may show you or your caregiver how to give the injections at home.
Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and administration of Remicade or Humira that’s right for you.
Dosage for plaque psoriasis
Below are the dosages of Remicade and Humira for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.
| Remicade for plaque psoriasis | Humira for plaque psoriasis | |
| Forms | IV infusion | subcutaneous injection |
| Strengths | 100 mg per vial | prefilled pens: • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL prefilled syringes: • 10 mg/0.1 mL • 10 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL vial: 40 mg/0.8 mL (Humira vials are for hospital use only) |
| Dose | 5 mg/kg | 80 mg for first dose then 40 mg thereafter |
| Frequency | initial doses at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks | initial dose on day 1, then every other week starting 1 week after initial dose |
| Given by | healthcare professional (see below) | self or healthcare professional (see below) |
Remicade is only given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive Remicade infusions at your doctor’s office or clinic. The dose is given over a period of 2 hours or longer.
You’ll receive Humira as a subcutaneous injection. A healthcare professional may give you these injections at your doctor’s office or clinic. Or your doctor may show you or your caregiver how to give the injections at home.
Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and administration of Remicade or Humira that’s right for you.
Dosage for psoriatic arthritis
Below are the dosages of Remicade and Humira for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults.
| Remicade for PsA | Humira for PsA | |
| Forms | IV infusion | subcutaneous injection |
| Strengths | 100 mg per vial | prefilled pens: • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL prefilled syringes: • 10 mg/0.1 mL • 10 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.2 mL • 20 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.4 mL • 40 mg/0.8 mL • 80 mg/0.8 mL vial: 40 mg/0.8 mL (Humira vials are for hospital use only) |
| Dose | 5 mg/kg | 40 mg or 80 mg |
| Frequency | initial doses at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks | once per week or every other week |
| Given by | healthcare professional (see below) | self or healthcare professional (see below) |
Remicade is only given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive Remicade infusions at your doctor’s office or clinic. The dose is given over a period of 2 hours or longer.
You’ll receive Humira as a subcutaneous injection. A healthcare professional may give you these injections at your doctor’s office or clinic. Or your doctor may show you or your caregiver how to give the injections at home.
Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and administration of Remicade or Humira that’s right for you.
Both Remicade and Humira treat similar conditions. These drugs can cause some of the same side effects, as well as some different ones. Some of the side effects reported in clinical trials of these drugs are mentioned below.
For more details about side effects of the two drugs, see our side effect articles about Remicade and Humira. You can also refer to the Remicade prescribing information and Humira prescribing information.
Mild side effects
The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Remicade and Humira. The table may also include mild side effects that are less common but that you might have concerns about in some cases.
| Mild side effects | Remicade | Humira |
| injection site reactions, such as pain or swelling where the drug was injected | ✓ | |
| infusion reactions, such as mild fever or chills | ✓ | |
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| skin rash | ✓ | ✓ |
| cough | ✓ | |
| abdominal pain | ✓ | ✓ |
| upper respiratory infection, such as a sinus infection or common cold | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Remicade and Humira.
| Serious side effects | Remicade | Humira |
| risk of serious infections* | ✓ | ✓ |
| risk of cancer* | ✓ | ✓ |
| new or worsening heart failure | ✓ | ✓ |
| heart attack | ✓ | ✓ |
| abnormal heart rhythm | ✓ | ✓ |
| stroke | ✓ | |
| liver damage | ✓ | ✓ |
| blood disorders, such as anemia or low level of white blood cells | ✓ | ✓ |
| nerve disorders, such as vision problems or seizures | ✓ | ✓ |
| new or worsening psoriasis | ✓ | ✓ |
| serious infusion reactions, such as changes in blood pressure or shortness of breath | ✓ | |
| lupus-like syndrome | ✓ | ✓ |
| severe allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
If you have serious side effects while using Remicade or Humira, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
* Remicade and Humira each have a
Remicade and Humira may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The two drugs share some of the same precautions, but they also have different ones. Some of these precautions are mentioned below.
Boxed warnings
This drug has
- Risk of cancer. Lymphomas (cancers affecting white blood cells) and other types of cancer have occurred in people who took Remicade and Humira, including children. Some cases were fatal. In rare cases, a form of lymphoma known as hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma has occurred in teenage and young adult males* who had Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. (Among other uses, Remicade and Humira are prescribed to treat these digestive conditions.)
- Risk of serious infections. Remicade treatment can increase the risk of serious infections that may be life threatening or require hospitalization. Examples include pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), and infections throughout the body due to bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Before you start Remicade treatment, your doctor will check you for TB. They’ll also monitor you for TB and other infections throughout your treatment. If you develop a serious infection during Remicade treatment, your doctor will likely have you pause or stop taking the drug.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Precautions
In addition to boxed warnings, Remicade and Humira have other warnings.
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Remicade or Humira.
| Precaution | Remicade | Humira |
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to latex or rubber | ✓ | |
| if you’re pregnant or can become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a history of hepatitis B | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a nerve disorder, such as multiple sclerosis | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you currently have an infection | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have heart failure | ✓ | ✓ |
Switching between Remicade and Humira may be possible.
If you’d like to know more about switching between Remicade and Humira, talk with your doctor. They can give you additional details and help determine the best course of action for your situation. Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body can still respond differently. It’s important that you do not stop, start, or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.
Some key points to remember when comparing Remicade and Humira include:
- Remicade is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, while Humira is given as a subcutaneous injection.
- The typical dosing schedule for Remicade is one dose every 6 or 8 weeks. The typical dosing for Humira is one dose per week or every other week.
- These drugs are FDA-approved to treat some of the same conditions but also some different ones.
If you’d like to learn more about Remicade or Humira, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about similarities and differences between the drugs. They can also help determine whether one drug or the other might work well for you.
Note: For more information about some of the conditions Remicade and Humira are used to treat, see the following hubs:
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.