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Humira to adalimumab-adbm: Biosimilar Advocacy and Recommendations to Michigan Meridian Medicaid Prescribers for converting patient prescriptions

Recommendations to Michigan Meridian Medicaid Prescribers:

  • Providers are encouraged to adjust their prescribing practice for MI Medicaid beneficiaries to utilize the newly preferred biosimilar product adalimumab-adbm (unbranded Cyltezo) in place of brand name Humira, for patients newly starting therapy with adalimumab, effective on 11/01/2025.
  • Providers should consider converting their patients who are already established on brand name Humira to the biosimilar product adalimumab-adbm (unbranded Cyltezo), starting on and after 11/01/2025.

Date: 10/08/2025

Dear Prescribing Healthcare Provider,

Effective on 11/01/2025, adalimumab-adbm (unbranded Cyltezo), an FDA approved biosimilar that is interchangeable with brand name Humira (adalimumab) will be a preferred option, covered without prior authorization, within quantity limits, for Michigan Meridian Medicaid members and all MI Medicaid beneficiaries.

The State of Michigan Medicaid Program, through the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), will add this new preferred option to their biologic drugs available on the Common Formulary and Single Preferred Drug List (SPDL) effective on 11/01/2025. The Common Formulary and SPDL preferred and non-preferred drug products are covered by all MI Medicaid managed care organizations’ drug lists and formularies.

As a valued partner in patient care, we are committed to supporting both optimal clinical outcomes and sustainable healthcare practices. In alignment with these goals, on and after 11/01/2025 Meridian will encourage the transition of patients currently prescribed brand name Humira to the preferred alternative, adalimumab-adbm. Meridian will also encourage providers to prescribe adalimumab-adbm in place of brand name Humira to patients newly starting on therapy with adalimumab .

This transition reflects our dedication to ensuring access to effective therapies while promoting responsible stewardship of healthcare resources. Please review the information in this bulletin which contains information and resources to help support transition of Meridian patients from brand name Humira to biosimilar adalimumab-adbm.

Background: Humira and the Biosimilar Landscape

Humira has been an important treatment option in the management of numerous inflammatory and autoimmune disease states. The introduction of biosimilar products represents a significant advancement in expanding patient access to high-quality biologic therapies, improving disease outcomes, and reducing health care costs. Biosimilars are rigorously evaluated and approved by the FDA, demonstrating no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, and potency compared to their reference products.

Cost-Savings: The Economic Benefits of Biosimilars

Biosimilar products offer substantial cost-savings opportunities for the healthcare system. By transitioning to adalimumab-adbm, prescribing providers can help reduce overall drug expenditures while maintaining the same therapeutic outcomes as with brand name Humira. These savings can be redirected to other areas of patient care, enhancing the overall quality and reach of healthcare services.

Interchangeability: FDA Guidance and Clinical Equivalence

The FDA has granted interchangeability status to certain biosimilar adalimumab products, including adalimumab-adbm, indicating that they may be substituted for Humira at the pharmacy level without prescriber intervention. Clinical studies have confirmed that switching between Humira and its biosimilars does not compromise efficacy, safety, or incur a higher immunogenicity risk. The interchangeability designation underscores the confidence in biosimilars’ ability to provide identical clinical results for all FDA approved indications shared between products. Importantly, adalimumab-adbm is Citrate-free (CF) in all available formulations. The only FDA approved indications that brand name Humira does not share with adalimumab-adbm are the following: 1) treatment of ulcerative colitis in pediatric patients; 2) treatment of hidradenitis suppurative in pediatric patients; 3) treatment of uveitis in pediatric patients.

Action Request: Encouraging Transition to Adalimumab-adbm

We strongly encourage prescribing clinicians to consider transitioning appropriate patients from brand name Humira to the newly preferred biosimilar: adalimumab-adbm (unbranded Cyltezo). This approach aligns with best practices for cost-effective care and ensures continued access to high-quality therapy. Please review the tables below which provide further details of comparisons between adalimumab-adbm to Humira, adalimumab-adbm product & dosage forms availability, and specialty pharmacy details.

Table 1: Comparison of FDA Approved Indications, Age Ranges, Dosages for adalimumab-adbm vs. Humira

Indication

Adalimumab-adbm: Recommended Dosage

Adalimumab-adbm: Minimum FDA Approved Age

Humira (brand): Recommended Dosage

Humira (brand): Minimum FDA Approved Age

Rheumatoid Arthritis

40 mg every other week

18 years

40 mg every other week

18 years

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

10 mg every other week (10kg- <15 kg);

20 mg every other week (15kg - <30kg);

40 mg every other week (≥30 kg)

2 years

10 mg every other week (10kg- <15 kg);

20 mg every other week (15kg - <30kg);

40 mg every other week (≥30 kg)

2 years

Psoriatic Arthritis

40 mg every other week

18 years

40 mg every other week

18 years

Ankylosing Spondylitis

40 mg every other week

18 years

40 mg every other week

18 years

Crohn’s Disease (Adults)

160 mg initial, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every other week

18 years

160 mg initial, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every other week

18 years

Crohn’s Disease (Pediatric)

80 mg initial, then 40 mg at week 2, then 20 mg every other week (17–<40 kg); 160 mg initial, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every other week (≥40 kg)

6 years

80 mg initial, then 40 mg at week 2, then 20 mg every other week (17–<40 kg); 160 mg initial, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every other week (≥40 kg)

6 years

Ulcerative Colitis (Adults)

160 mg initial, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every other week

18 years

160 mg initial, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every other week

18 years

Ulcerative Colitis (Pediatric)

Not FDA approved

Not FDA approved

80 mg initial, then 40 mg at week 1, then 40mg at week 2, then 40 mg every other week or 20mg every week (20kg -<40kg

160mg initial, then 80mg at week 1, then 80mg at week 2, then 80mg every other week or 40mg every week (≥40 kg)

5 years

Plaque Psoriasis

80 mg initial, then 40 mg every other week starting one week after initial dose

18 years

80 mg initial, then 40 mg every other week starting one week after initial dose

18 years

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Adults)

160 mg initial, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every week starting at week 4

18 years

160 mg initial, then 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every week starting at week 4

18 years

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Adolescents)

Not FDA approved

Not FDA approved

80 mg initial, then 40 mg at week 1, then 40 mg every other week (30 kg - <60kg)

160mg initial, then 80mg at week 2, then 40mg every week or 80mg every other week

12 years

Uveitis

(Adults)

80 mg initial, then 40 mg every other week starting one week after initial dose

18 years

80 mg initial, then 40 mg every other week startingone week after initial dose

18 years

Uveitis

(Pediatric)

Not FDA approved

Not FDA approved

10 mg every other week (10kg- <15 kg);

20 mg every other week (15kg - <30kg);

40 mg every other week (≥30 kg)

2 years

Table 1 References:

1. Adalimumab-adbm Prescribing Information:
https://pro.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/products/cyltezo/bipdf/adalimumab-adbm-us-pi
Accessed electronically: 10/07/2025

2. Humira Prescribing Information:
https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/humira.pdf
Accessed electronically: 10/07/2025

Table 2: Michigan Medicaid Common Formulary Preferred National Drug Codes (NDCs) for adalimumab-adbm (unbranded Cyltezo) with Quantity Limits applicable on the MI Medicaid Common Formulary

Adalimumab-adbm NDC

Product Name [covered as preferred eff. 11.01.25]

Quantity Limit

Contents (all formulations are Citrate-free)

00597057540

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM(PS/UV STARTER) Adalimumab-adbm Auto-injector Kit 40 MG/0.4ML

1 kit (4 pens) per 365 days

Starter Package for Psoriasis or Uveitis:

4 auto-injectors of 40mg/0.4mL with 4 alcohol preps

00597057550

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM (2 PEN) Adalimumab-adbm Auto-injector Kit 40 MG/0.4ML

2 pens per 28 days

Maintenance dose kit:

2 auto-injectors of 40mg/0.4mL with 2 alcohol preps

00597057560

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM(CD/UC/HS STRT) Adalimumab-adbm Auto-injector Kit 40 MG/0.4ML

1 kit (6 pens) per 365 days

Starter Package for Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis or Hidradenitis Suppurativa:

6 auto-injectors of 40mg/0.4mL with 8 alcohol preps

00597054522

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM (2 PEN) Adalimumab-adbm Auto-injector Kit 40 MG/0.8ML

2 pens per 28 days

Maintenance dose kit:

2 prefilled 40mg/0.8ml pens with 2 alcohol preps

00597054544

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM(PS/UV STARTER) Adalimumab-adbm Auto-injector Kit 40 MG/0.8ML

1 kit (4 pens) per 365 days

Starter Package for Psoriasis or Uveitis:

4 auto-injectors of 40mg/0.8mL with 4 alcohol preps

00597054566

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM(CD/UC/HS STRT) Adalimumab-adbm Auto-injector Kit 40 MG/0.8ML

1 kit (6 pens) per 365 days

Starter Package for Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis or Hidradenitis

Suppurativa:

6 auto-injectors of 40mg/0.8mL with 8 alcohol preps

00597055580

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM (2 SYRINGE) Adalimumab-adbm Prefilled Syringe Kit 20 MG/0.4ML

2 syringes per 28 days

Maintenance dose kit:

2 prefilled syringes of 20mg/0.4mL

00597056520

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM (2 SYRINGE) Adalimumab-adbm Prefilled Syringe Kit 40 MG/0.4ML

2 syringes per 28 days

Maintenance dose kit:

2 prefilled syringes of 40mg/0.4mL

00597058589

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM (2 SYRINGE) Adalimumab-adbm Prefilled Syringe Kit 10 MG/0.2ML

2 syringes per 28 days

Maintenance dose kit:

2 prefilled syringes of 10mg/0.2mL

00597059520

ADALIMUMAB-ADBM (2 SYRINGE) Adalimumab-adbm Prefilled Syringe Kit 40 MG/0.8ML

2 syringes per 28 days

Maintenance dose kit:

2 prefilled syringes of 40mg/0.8mL

Storage & Stability Notes:

  • Supplied as sterile, preservative-free, citrate-free, solution for subcutaneous injection
  • Needle caps on auto-injectors and prefilled syringes all contain natural rubber latex
  • Must be stored refrigerated (36F-46F / 2C-8C). Do not Freeze. Protect from light.
  • When traveling, may be stored at room temperature up to 77F (25C) for a period of up to 14 days

Table 2 Reference: Adalimumab-adbm Prescribing Information: https://pro.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/products/cyltezo/bipdf/adalimumab-adbm-us-pi Accessed electronically: 10/07/2025

Table 3: Specialty Pharmacies Reference Guide for Adalimumab-adbm availability . Specialty pharmacies listed in this table are able to order & dispense adalimumab-adbm (unbranded Cyltezo) upon submission of a prescription order for Michigan Meridian Medicaid beneficiaries. Some pharmacies, including various large national chains not listed in this table, are currently unable or unwilling to order & dispense adalimumab-adbm from their locations.

Pharmacy Name

Pharmacy NPI

Pharmacy Contact information (Address, Phone, Fax)

AcariaHealth Pharmacy

1073733408

Address: 8715 HENDERSON RD. TAMPA, FL 33634

Phone: (800)-511-5144

Fax: (866)-458-9245

Website: https://www.acariahealth.com/

Pharmacy Advantage

1073799276

Address: 1191 SOUTH BLVD E. ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307

Phone: (800)-456-2112

Fax: (888)-400-0109

Website: www.pharmacyadvantagerx.com

Michigan Medicine Specialty Pharmacy

1396430401

Address: 7300 JOY RD. DEXTER, MI 48130

Phone: (855)-276-3002

Fax: (734)-936-5755
Website: https://specialty-pharmacy.uofmhealth.org/

Meijer Specialty Pharmacy

1568818391

Address: 8455 HAGGERTY RD. BELLEVILLE, MI 48111

Phone: (734)-391-2310

Fax: (734)-391-2365

Website: https://meijerspecialtypharmacy.com/

BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy

1174517452

Address: 376 NORTHLAKE BLVD. STE 1008. ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL 32701

Phone: (888)-292-0744

Fax: (800)-269-5493

Website: https://bioplusrx.com/

Conclusion

We appreciate your continued commitment to providing the highest standard of care for our mutual patients and Michigan Meridian Medicaid members. Our pharmacy team is available to support transition to biosimilar therapy with adalimumab-adbm and assist with overcoming any barriers encountered. We understand that all healthcare providers play a pivotal role in advancing patient care, improving health outcomes, and working towards sustainability of our healthcare system.

If you have any questions or require additional support regarding this transition, please contact our clinical support team for Michigan Meridian Medicaid, at email MiMarketPharmacy@Centene.com, available Monday to Friday, 8AM to 6PM EST.

Thank you for your partnership in this important effort!

Sincerely, Michigan Meridian Medicaid

Last Updated: 10/15/2025