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Malfunctioning Humira Pen

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/10/2008 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I have Crohn's and take the Humira Pen for it. Today was the 2nd time the pen malfunctioned and I'm not sure how much Humira actually got into my system. A little stream poured out when I pulled the syringe away from my stomach. Has this happened to anyone more than once? I can't believe that in 4 months this has already happened twice? When you called Humira to report it did they give you trouble replacing it? Did your doctor tell you to take another shot immediately or wait until next time? I don't want to wait for two weeks as I'm very sick now. I'm sorry for this vent but I am stressing out majorly. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless.
Posted 9/10/2008 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Cranky,

I wish I had some answers for you, but no experence with Humira, yet. My husband used another drug for diabetes that was administered with a prefilled pin, and sometimes there are ways to avoid or detect malfunctions prior to dosing. you might check with your pharmacy when you replace your pin. I hope Humira will replace it for you or send you a coupon for a replacement, I understand this is no cheap medication.
Good luck to you, I hope you start feeling better.
Posted 9/10/2008 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi--Sometimes I get a little bit of med that comes back out too. Happened this time when I used my lower thigh. If there's not a puddle on the floor, then you probably got it all in there. Believe it or not, sometimes I can't even tell it went in! It depends where I inject it (I'm only on injection #6). I'd start with your doc first and ask. Then, if s/he really feels the pen malfunctioned, humira can replace it. Be sure you've head the cap down the whole time. I count to 15 before I let go--even if I see all the yellow indicator is up. Good luck.
Posted 9/10/2008 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply. Hope you and all of us get better soon. A cure would be a God send, of course.
Posted 9/10/2008 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Sammies, just caught your reply before my previous response. I also hold in the pen for 15 seconds rather than 10 just to be sure I got it. The first time Humira replaced it, but I worry that the second time they'll think I'm making it up or something. Last time nurse told me not to double dose but later spoke to doctor who said he would have wanted me to take another shot due to severity of illness lately. Will phone him tomorrow and Humira. Thanks for the reply - it helps just speaking to people who know what you have gone through. God bless.
Posted 9/10/2008 5:32 PM (GMT 0)

cranky....

I don't think you have to worry about the humira folks balking at replacing the defective pens...they make so many of them that they surely have already set the % of failure rate and know that they will get calls like yours.  Multiple calls from the same person is one of three things...luck of the draw....the person is doing it wrong .....or for some reason someone is scamming them.

Reasons one and two are much more likely since Humira is not really a drug people are likely to try and sell or profit from.  Not like a pain killer or other narcotic.  You sound like you know what you are doing , so reason #2 is not it and they would discover this just by asking you a few questions.  That leaves only option #1...

You may also want  to call your pharmacy and let them handle the issue for you.  Tell them the problem, ask for a replacement and let them handle it.

I have been taking two shots every other week for just over a year now (using the pen) and have only had a leak once...it was just a drop of two....and it was in my thigh.

Good luck


Posted 9/15/2008 6:08 AM (GMT 0)
I got 2 bad lots for a total of 6 pens which did not work in the exact manner you described. I ended up having to redo the initiation step again, but Abbott were quite helpful about it. (All had Oct 09 expiration and with similar inkjet printing...the good ones had smaller printing). I talked with my doctor and it seems a hundred people from Abbott (safety nurse, quality control nurse, quality control lab,....etc)
I want the preloaded syringes, but having a hard time getting them.
Posted 1/21/2009 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi.  I have had the same problem while using the humira injection pen.  I hold it for the 15 seconds, see the yellow - but when I remove the pen, a few drops hit the floor.  I know the injection went it, I felt that burn of the medicine...but this is the 3rd time I had 4-5 drops either on my skin or floor...I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. 

Posted 1/21/2009 10:26 AM (GMT 0)
Can you switch to the syringe?
Posted 12/22/2014 9:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I've been taking Humira pens myself for over 3years but tonight was the first time the pen did not work..it clicked but nothing was going in so I took it away and it squirt everywhere..got really frustrated but tried again with another pen and the same thing happened..does anybody know why?? I'm after wasting two pens now so really freaking out, need to take it but too scared incase it happens again :( any info would be great guys thanks.. :( :(. :(
Posted 12/22/2014 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Call 1-800-4-HUMIRA immediately. You may need to call your pharmacy too. Let them know what happened and ask for further instruction. I had one malfunctioning pen (in 9 years) and they replaced it for me.
Posted 12/22/2014 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking humira for a year and haven't had any malfunctions. i always inject it in my thigh, which seems like the easiest place. make sure your holding the pen straight and apply enough pressure,you have to apply steady pressure even when you press the button to release the medicine or the needle doesn't go in right. Also, humira has to be injected into fat/skin not muscle. hope you have some better luck in the future.
Posted 12/22/2014 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
I know this is a very old post, but since it's been brought back I thought I would mention for anyone else on Humira that the nurse told me a few drops to leak out before/during/after is normal and the manufacturer does make sure there is enough medicine getting into your system....I was also told by Humira that if a pen ever malfunctions completely that you're suppose to call your pharmacy to get an extra pen (as the pharmacy's are suppose to keep extras in case pens totally malfunction) so you don't miss your dose.
Posted 12/23/2014 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
I always request the syringes. Much easier for me. I like to slowly administer my meds so syringe is perfect for me.
Posted 12/31/2014 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Pharmacies do not keep extra pens in stock. I'm not even sure it comes in a single pen.
Posted 12/31/2014 3:44 PM (GMT 0)

JasonCPhT said...
Pharmacies do not keep extra pens in stock. I'm not even sure it comes in a single pen.

They do where I live, they keep extra boxes so they've replaced pens for me, because they have to make sure a patient doesn't fall behind with their dosing schedules which is an important part of Humira therapy.
Posted 1/13/2016 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
So frustrated!! My Daughter has been on Humira pen since March 2015, we have recently been having constant issues with the injections. Honestly i cant remember the last time we have actually had a properly working pen. Each pen for the last 4 months, have been spilling medicine down her stomach onto the floor! Also causing a much larger swelling at the injection site!! Im not sure what to do now! Im at a point im going to contact her Dr to speak about switching to filled syringes.... sad Please help!! concerned MOM!!
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