What Is Cyltezo?

Cyltezo (adalimumab-dbll) is an FDA-approved interchangeable biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab) — a biologic medication that reduces inflammation by blocking tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the body.

Manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim, Cyltezo was first approved by the FDA in August 2017 and launched commercially in July 2023. It holds a significant distinction: Cyltezo was the first adalimumab biosimilar to receive FDA interchangeable status (October 2021), meaning pharmacists in most states can substitute it for Humira without requiring a new prescription from your doctor.

The Cyltezo Pen 40 Mg/0.4 Ml Starter Pack is a prefilled pen designed for subcutaneous (under-the-skin) self-injection. The starter pack typically includes 2 pens for initial dosing. The pen features a citrate-free formulation and a 29-gauge thin-wall needle for a more comfortable injection experience.

What Is Cyltezo Used For?

Cyltezo is approved to treat the same conditions as Humira. These are all autoimmune or inflammatory conditions where TNF-α plays a key role:

• Rheumatoid arthritis — Chronic joint inflammation in adults
• Psoriatic arthritis — Joint inflammation associated with psoriasis
• Ankylosing spondylitis — Inflammatory arthritis of the spine
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis — Joint inflammation in children ages 2 and older
• Adult Crohn's disease — Inflammatory bowel disease affecting the digestive tract
• Ulcerative colitis — Chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum
• Plaque psoriasis — Chronic skin condition causing red, scaly patches
• Hidradenitis suppurativa — Painful lumps under the skin, often in the armpits or groin
• Uveitis — Inflammation inside the eye

For more on how Cyltezo works at a molecular level, see our mechanism of action guide.

How Is Cyltezo Taken?

Cyltezo is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) using the prefilled pen. The dosing schedule depends on your condition:

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis

40 mg every other week. If you have rheumatoid arthritis and are not also taking methotrexate, your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg every week.

Crohn's Disease

The starter pack is particularly relevant here. The initial dosing schedule is:

• Day 1: 160 mg (4 injections)
• Day 15: 80 mg (2 injections)
• Day 29 and onward: 40 mg every other week

Plaque Psoriasis

• Initial dose: 80 mg
• One week later: 40 mg
• Then: 40 mg every other week

General Maintenance

For most conditions, the standard maintenance dose is 40 mg every other week by subcutaneous injection.

Injection Tips

• Inject in your thigh or abdomen (rotate sites)
• Let the pen warm to room temperature before injecting — Cyltezo can be stored at room temperature (up to 77°F) for up to 14 days
• Your doctor or nurse will train you on proper injection technique when you start

Who Should Not Take Cyltezo?

Cyltezo is not appropriate for everyone. You should not take it if you have:

• An active serious infection — including tuberculosis, sepsis, or opportunistic infections
• Hypersensitivity to adalimumab — or any ingredient in the Cyltezo formulation

Before starting Cyltezo, your doctor will:

• Test you for tuberculosis (TB)
• Screen for hepatitis B
• Review your vaccination history — live vaccines should not be given while on Cyltezo
• Assess for heart failure — TNF inhibitors can worsen existing heart failure

For a full list of side effects and safety warnings, read our Cyltezo side effects guide.

How Much Does Cyltezo Cost?

The cost of Cyltezo depends on your insurance coverage:

• Cash price (no insurance): Approximately $5,800 to $6,500 per monthly supply
• With insurance: $0 to $500 per month, depending on your plan and formulary tier
• With Cyltezo copay card: Eligible commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0 per month

Compared to Humira's list price of approximately $6,900 to $7,200 per month, Cyltezo is typically 5-15% less expensive.

Additional savings options include:

• Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation — Free medication for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients
• NeedyMeds and RxAssist — Databases of patient assistance programs

For a complete breakdown, see our guide to saving money on Cyltezo.

Cyltezo vs. Humira: What's the Difference?

As an interchangeable biosimilar, Cyltezo is clinically equivalent to Humira. The FDA determined there are no meaningful differences in safety, purity, or effectiveness. Key comparisons:

• Same active ingredient — Both contain adalimumab
• Same indications — Approved for all the same conditions
• Same dosing — Identical injection schedules
• Interchangeable — Can be substituted at the pharmacy without a new prescription in most states
• Lower cost — Cyltezo typically costs 5-15% less than Humira

If Cyltezo isn't available, several other adalimumab biosimilars exist. Check our alternatives guide for options.

Final Thoughts

The Cyltezo Pen 40 Mg/0.4 Ml Starter Pack is a well-established, FDA-approved interchangeable biosimilar that gives patients access to adalimumab therapy — often at a lower cost than Humira. Whether you're just starting biologic treatment or switching from another adalimumab product, Cyltezo offers the same proven effectiveness in a citrate-free, patient-friendly pen.

Need help finding it? Medfinder can help you check pharmacy availability near you.