Compare dexamethasone vs. Humira

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Decadron (dexamethasone)

Prescription only

Humira (adalimumab)

Prescription only
Calms down your immune system.

Decadron (dexamethasone) is a long-acting oral corticosteroid that is very effective in treating allergic reactions and immune conditions, however, if you're taking Decadron (dexamethasone) for a long time, there can be serious side effects.

Calms down the immune system.

Humira (adalimumab) is good for treating many autoimmune conditions, but it can also cause serious side effects.

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3.6/ 5 average rating with 182 reviewsforHumira
Upsides
  • Effective in treating many conditions.
  • Can improve energy and appetite.
  • Can control immune responses that are causing you discomfort and works quickly to relieve symptoms like swelling, rash, asthma attacks, and pain.
  • Has long-term benefit in calming down the immune system and keeping it from causing your body harm, such as in autoimmune conditions.
  • Available in generic form.
  • Humira (adalimumab) is effective in reducing symptoms in all of its approved indications.
  • You can give yourself Humira (adalimumab) on your own at home rather than visiting a clinic or hospital.
  • Humira (adalimumab) treats many different autoimmune conditions.
  • Available in a single-use pen (Humira Pen) that may be more convenient and easier for some people to use.
Downsides
  • Many side effects, particularly with long term use.
  • Side effects include mood changes, trouble sleeping and increase in blood pressure and blood sugar at higher doses.
  • Long-term use can cause problems with skin, bone, eye health and put you at a higher risk for infections.
  • If you've been using corticosteroids for more than 2 weeks, you will need to work with a doctor to get off the medicine slowly.
  • Limited studies conducted with use of steroids during pregnancy or breastfeeding - potential harm to unborn baby.
  • Not first-choice treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Humira (adalimumab) is an injection and not an oral medication.
  • Humira (adalimumab) is expensive because there's no generic available yet.
  • Humira (adalimumab) lowers your ability to fight infection and in some cases can cause serious life-threatening illness. The risk is greater if you take other drugs that lower your immune system, have an active infection, diabetes, or had tuberculosis (TB) in the past.
  • You'll need to properly dispose of the needle, syringes, or Pen in a sharps container.
  • Humira (adalimumab) needs to be refrigerated until you use it, so if you're traveling, you'll need to carry it in a cooler with an ice pack.
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Used for
  • Allergies
  • Skin Conditions
  • Endocrine Conditions
  • Eye Conditions
  • Stomach Conditions
  • Respiratory disorder
  • Multiple sclerosis flare
  • Hematologic Conditions
  • Cancer
  • Autoimmune and Rheumatic Conditions
  • Immune thrombocytopenia
  • Acute mountain sickness
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Liquid
  • Injection
Price
No pricing information available
Lowest price
$6217.18
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
182 reviews so far
60%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
26%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
The Decadron (dexamethasone) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
14possible side effects
  • Upper airway infection
    17%
  • Headache
    12%
  • Rash
    12%
  • Sinus infection
    11%
  • Nausea
    9%
  • Injection site reactions
    8%
  • Urinary tract infection
    8%
  • Flu syndrome
    7%
  • Stomach pain
    7%
  • High cholesterol
    7%
  • Back pain
    6%
  • Blood in urine
    5%
  • Abnormal liver tests
    5%
  • High blood pressure
    5%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Lowered adrenal function
    • Lowering dose or stopping too quickly especially after long-term treatment
    • Stress such as trauma, surgery or infection
  • Increased risk for infections
    • Taking other immunosuppressants
    • Long-term treatment
    • Not vaccinated against viral diseases
    • Contact with people who have viral illness
    • History of bacterial or viral conditions
  • Changes in heart and kidney function
    • Recent heart attack
  • Stomach and intestinal problems
    • History of stomach bleeding
    • Active or history of stomach ulcers
    • Ulcerative colitis
    • Taking Decadron (dexamethasone) with other medicine that can cause stomach problems
  • Bone effects
    • Dose of Decadron (dexamethasone)
    • Duration of treatment
  • Eye problems
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Serious infections
    • Taking other immunosuppressant medications such as Kineret or Orencia
    • Age 65 or older
    • Active, chronic, or recurrent infection
    • Comorbidities
  • Cancers
    • Taking other immunosuppressant medications, such as azathiprine or 6-mercaptopurine, at the same time as Humira (adalimumab)
    • History of malignancy
    • Adolescent age
    • COPD with significant smoking history
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Heart problems
    • History of heart failure
  • Nervous system effects
    • Preexisting or recently acquired neurologic condition
  • Lower blood cell counts
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Decadron (dexamethasone)
Learn more about Humira (adalimumab)