What Is Humira Pen 40 Mg/0.4 Ml Starter Pack -? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

What Is Humira Pen 40 Mg/0.4 Ml Starter Pack?

Humira Pen 40 Mg/0.4 Ml Starter Pack is a prescription biologic medication containing Adalimumab, a TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) blocker used to treat a range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Made by AbbVie, Humira was first approved by the FDA in 2002 and has become one of the most widely prescribed biologic medications in the world. The "starter pack" is a specific packaging configuration designed to provide the doses needed during the initial induction phase of treatment. The 40 mg/0.4 mL formulation is AbbVie's citrate-free, high-concentration version, which was developed to reduce injection pain compared to the original 40 mg/0.8 mL formulation.

Humira is not a controlled substance and is not available as a traditional generic. However, several biosimilar alternatives are now available.

What Is Humira Used For?

Humira is FDA-approved to treat the following conditions:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) — reduces joint pain, swelling, and damage in adults
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) — treats joint and skin symptoms
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) — reduces inflammation in the spine and large joints
• Crohn's Disease — for adults and children (age 6+) with moderate to severe Crohn's
• Ulcerative Colitis — for adults and children (age 5+) with moderate to severe UC
• Plaque Psoriasis — for adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis
• Hidradenitis Suppurativa — treats painful skin nodules and abscesses
• Uveitis — reduces eye inflammation in adults and children (age 2+)
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis — for children age 2 and older

Humira is also sometimes used off-label for conditions like sarcoidosis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and Behçet's disease.

How Is Humira Taken?

Humira is given as a subcutaneous injection — a shot just under the skin. The Humira Pen is an auto-injector device that makes self-injection easier. Here's what you need to know about taking it:

• Injection sites: Thigh or abdomen (avoid the area around the navel). Rotate sites with each injection.
• Preparation: Remove the pen from the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature for 15-30 minutes before injecting. Do not shake it.
• Typical dosing: For most adult conditions, the maintenance dose is 40 mg every other week. Some conditions (like Crohn's disease) require a higher induction dose — typically 160 mg at week 0, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every other week. The starter pack contains the pens needed for this induction period.
• Self-administration: Most patients inject Humira at home after training from their healthcare provider or a nurse ambassador through AbbVie's HUMIRA Complete program.

For more on how Humira works in your body, see our guide on Humira's mechanism of action.

Who Should Not Take Humira?

Humira is not safe for everyone. You should not take Humira if you:

• Are allergic to Adalimumab or any ingredient in Humira
• Have an active serious infection, including tuberculosis (TB) or sepsis
• Have active TB that hasn't been treated

Your doctor should also be cautious if you:

• Have a history of recurring infections
• Have hepatitis B (Humira can reactivate the virus)
• Have heart failure
• Have a history of demyelinating disorders like multiple sclerosis
• Are scheduled for surgery
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Before starting Humira, you'll be tested for tuberculosis and possibly hepatitis B. For a detailed look at potential risks, read our article on Humira side effects.

How Much Does Humira Cost?

Humira is one of the more expensive medications on the market:

• Without insurance: $6,900 to $11,000 per carton of 2 pens (40 mg/0.4 mL)
• With commercial insurance + savings card: As little as $5 per month through the HUMIRA Complete Savings Card
• Medicare Part D: No more than $2,100 per year out-of-pocket in 2026 thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act cap
• Biosimilar alternatives: Range from $1,038 to $6,576 per carton depending on the brand

For uninsured or underinsured patients, AbbVie offers the myAbbVie Assist patient assistance program, which provides Humira for free to qualifying patients. Additional help is available through the PAN Foundation, HealthWell Foundation, and Patient Advocate Foundation.

Learn more in our detailed guide on how to save money on Humira.

Available Formulations

Humira comes in several formulations beyond the starter pack:

• Humira Pen 40 mg/0.4 mL (citrate-free, high concentration)
• Humira Pen 40 mg/0.8 mL (original formulation)
• Humira Pen 80 mg/0.8 mL
• Prefilled syringes in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg doses
• Pediatric Crohn's Disease Starter Pack

Final Thoughts

Humira Pen 40 Mg/0.4 Ml Starter Pack is a well-established biologic medication that has helped millions of people manage serious autoimmune conditions. While it requires specialist prescribing, regular monitoring, and can be expensive without insurance assistance, programs exist to make it accessible to most patients.

If you've been prescribed Humira and need help finding it in stock, Medfinder can help you locate a pharmacy near you. And if you're still looking for the right specialist, check out our guide on finding a doctor who can prescribe Humira.