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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents


Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-227316

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

               
 
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered

  Maximum Offering
Price Per Unit

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price

  Amount of
Registration Fee(1)(2)

 

$1,250,000,000 3.375% Senior Notes due 2021

  $1,250,000,000.00   99.828%   $1,247,850,000.00   $155,357.33
 

$1,250,000,000 3.750% Senior Notes due 2023

  $1,250,000,000.00   99.872%   $1,248,400,000.00   $155,425.80
 

$1,750,000,000 4.250% Senior Notes due 2028

  $1,750,000,000.00   99.145%   $1,735,037,500.00   $216,012.17
 

$1,750,000,000 4.875% Senior Notes due 2048

  $1,750,000,000.00   98.943%   $1,731,502,500.00   $215,572.07

 

(1)
Pursuant to Rule 457(r), the total registration fee for this offering is $742,367.37.

(2)
$742,367.37 of unused registration fee associated with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-198286) of AbbVie Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of AbbVie Inc., filed on August 21, 2014 (later terminated by withdrawal letter on October 22, 2014), is being carried forward and set off against the registration fee due for this offering and of which $3,142,604.17 remains available for future registration fees. No additional registration fee has been paid with respect to this offering.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated September 13, 2018)

AbbVie Inc.

$1,250,000,000 3.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021
$1,250,000,000 3.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023
$1,750,000,000 4.250% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2028
$1,750,000,000 4.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2048

         Interest on each series of Notes is payable on May 14 and November 14 in each year, commencing May 14, 2019.

         AbbVie Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or the "Issuer"), is offering $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.375% senior notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes"), $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.750% senior notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes"), $1,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.250% senior notes due 2028 (the "2028 Notes"), and $1,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.875% senior notes due 2048 (the "2048 Notes," and together with the 2021 Notes, the 2023 Notes and the 2028 Notes, the "Notes"). Each of the 2021 Notes, the 2023 Notes, the 2028 Notes, and the 2048 Notes is referred to as a "series" of Notes.

         The Notes will be unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company's existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations. The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently there is no public market for any series of the Notes.

         The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, together with cash on hand, (i) to redeem, satisfy and discharge or repay at maturity all of its 2.000% Senior Notes due 2018 in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $1.0 billion, and to pay any premium and accrued interest in respect thereof, (ii) to prepay or repay at maturity the 2015 Term Loan Facility (as defined herein) in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $2.0 billion, and to pay any accrued interest in respect thereof, and/or (iii) for general corporate purposes.

         The Company may redeem some or all of each series of Notes at any time at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement under the caption "Description of Notes—Optional Redemption."

         Investing in the Notes involves risks. Please read "Risk Factors" included or incorporated by reference herein, as described beginning on page S-12 of this prospectus supplement.

           
 
 
  Public offering
price(1)

  Underwriting
discounts

  Proceeds, before
expenses, to us

 

Per 2021 Note

  99.828%   0.250%   99.578%
 

Per 2023 Note

  99.872%   0.350%   99.522%
 

Per 2028 Note

  99.145%   0.450%   98.695%
 

Per 2048 Note

  98.943%   0.875%   98.068%
 

Totals

  $5,962,790,000   $30,687,500   $5,932,102,500

 

(1)
Plus accrued interest from, and including, September 18, 2018, if settlement occurs after that date.

         Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

         The underwriters expect to deliver the Notes to purchasers in book-entry form only through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company for the benefit of its participants, including Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg on or about September 18, 2018.



Joint Book-Running Managers

BofA Merrill Lynch   J.P. Morgan   Morgan Stanley   BNP PARIBAS


Barclays
(2028 Notes)

 

Citigroup
(2021 Notes)

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
(2023 Notes)

 

HSBC
(2048 Notes)

Co-Managers


Barclays
(2021 Notes, 2023 Notes,
2048 Notes
)

 

Citigroup
(2023 Notes, 2028 Notes,
2048 Notes
)

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
(2021 Notes, 2028 Notes,
2048 Notes
)

 

HSBC
(2021 Notes, 2023 Notes,
2028 Notes
)


Credit Suisse

 

Deutsche Bank Securities

 

Mizuho Securities

 

MUFG


RBC Capital Markets

 

Santander

 

SOCIETE GENERALE

 

Wells Fargo Securities


DNB Markets

 

Lloyds Securities

 

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

   

The date of this prospectus supplement is September 13, 2018.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 
S-3

SUMMARY

  S-4

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

  S-8

THE OFFERING

  S-9

RISK FACTORS

  S-12

USE OF PROCEEDS

  S-16

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

  S-17

CAPITALIZATION

  S-18

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

  S-19

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

  S-36

UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

  S-41

WHERE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION

  S-48

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

  S-48

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

  S-49

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  S-50

LEGAL MATTERS

  S-51

EXPERTS

  S-51

 
  Page  

PROSPECTUS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    2  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    3  

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    4  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    5  

RISK FACTORS

    6  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    7  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

    9  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    12  

LEGAL MATTERS

    14  

EXPERTS

    15  

ii


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        On September 13, 2018, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement on Form S-3 utilizing a shelf registration process relating to the securities described in this prospectus supplement, which became effective upon filing.

        This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the Notes the Company is offering and certain other matters relating to the Company and its financial condition. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information about debt securities that the Company may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to the Notes the Company is offering. The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus supplement. This information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC, to the extent incorporated by reference, will automatically update and supersede this information. See "Information Incorporated by Reference." You should read this prospectus supplement along with the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference. If the description of the offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.



        We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to provide you with any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the Notes offered hereby, nor do this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.



        Except as otherwise provided herein, as used in this prospectus supplement, the terms "Issuer" and "Company" refer to AbbVie Inc., a Delaware corporation, and not to any of its subsidiaries; and "AbbVie," "we," "us" and "our" refer to AbbVie Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

S-3


Table of Contents



SUMMARY

        The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement. This summary is not complete and may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read the following summary together with the entire prospectus supplement, including the "Risk Factors" section, the accompanying prospectus and our consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements, before making an investment decision.


Our Business

        AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company. AbbVie develops and markets advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie's products are focused on treating conditions such as chronic autoimmune diseases in rheumatology, gastroenterology and dermatology; oncology, including blood cancers; virology, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease; metabolic diseases, including thyroid disease and complications associated with cystic fibrosis; as well as other serious health conditions. AbbVie also has a pipeline of promising new medicines in clinical development across such important medical specialties as immunology, oncology and neuroscience, with additional targeted investment in cystic fibrosis and women's health.


Segments

        AbbVie operates in one business segment—pharmaceutical products.


Our Products

        AbbVie's portfolio of products includes a broad line of therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases.

        HUMIRA.    HUMIRA (adalimumab) is a biologic therapy administered as a subcutaneous injection. It is approved to treat the following autoimmune diseases in the United States, Canada, and Mexico (collectively, North America), and in the European Union:

Condition
  Principal Markets

Rheumatoid arthritis (moderate to severe)

  North America, European Union

Psoriatic arthritis

  North America, European Union

Ankylosing spondylitis

  North America, European Union

Adult Crohn's disease (moderate to severe)

  North America, European Union

Plaque psoriasis (moderate to severe)

  North America, European Union

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (moderate to severe polyarticular)

  North America, European Union

Ulcerative colitis (moderate to severe)

  North America, European Union

Axial spondyloarthropathy

  European Union

Pediatric Crohn's disease (moderate to severe)

  North America, European Union

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (moderate to severe)

  North America, European Union

Pediatric enthesitis-related arthritis

  European Union

Non-infectious intermediate, posterior and panuveitis

  North America, European Union

        HUMIRA is also approved in Japan for the treatment of intestinal Behçet's disease.

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        HUMIRA is sold in numerous other markets worldwide, including Japan, China, Brazil and Australia, and accounted for approximately 65% of AbbVie's total net revenues in 2017. AbbVie continues to work on HUMIRA formulation and delivery enhancements to improve convenience and the overall patient experience.

        Oncology products.    AbbVie's oncology products target some of the most complex and difficult-to-treat cancers. These products are:

        IMBRUVICA.    IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily therapy that inhibits a protein called Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). IMBRUVICA was one of the first medicines to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") after being granted a Breakthrough Therapy Designation and IMBRUVICA is one of the few therapies to receive four separate designations. IMBRUVICA currently is approved for the treatment of adult patients with:

        VENCLEXTA.    VENCLEXTA (venetoclax) is approved to treat people with CLL with 17p deletion, who have received at least one prior treatment. VENCLEXTA is the first FDA-approved treatment that targets the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) protein, which supports cancer cell growth and is overexpressed in many patients with CLL. VENCLEXTA has been approved in the EU for the treatment of CLL in patients with 17p deletion or TP53 mutation and are unsuitable for or have failed a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor and for the treatment of CLL in absence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation who have failed both chemoimmunotherapy and a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor. In June 2018, the FDA approved VENCLEXTA in combination with Rituxan for the treatment of patients with CLL/SLL, with or without 17p deletion, who have received at least one prior therapy. VENCLEXTA plus Rituxan is the first oral-based, chemotherapy-free combination in CLL that allows patients an option for fixed treatment duration.

        Virology products.    AbbVie's virology products address unmet needs for patients living with HCV and HIV-1.

        HCV products.    AbbVie's HCV products are:

        VIEKIRA PAK AND TECHNIVIE.    VIEKIRA PAK (ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets) is an all-oral, short-course, interferon-free therapy, with or without ribavirin, for the treatment of adult patients with genotype 1 chronic HCV, including those with compensated cirrhosis. In Europe, VIEKIRA PAK is marketed as VIEKIRAX + EXVIERA and is approved for use in patients with genotype 1 and genotype 4 HCV. AbbVie's TECHNIVIE (ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir) is FDA-approved for use in combination with ribavirin for the treatment of adults with genotype 4 HCV infection in the United States.

   


*
Accelerated approval was granted for this indication based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

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        MAVYRET/MAVIRET.    MAVYRET (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) is approved in the United States and European Union (MAVIRET) for the treatment of patients with chronic HCV genotype 1-6 infection without cirrhosis and with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A). It is also indicated for the treatment of adult patients with HCV genotype 1 infection, who previously have been treated with a regimen containing an HCV NS5A inhibitor or an NS3/4A protease inhibitor, but not both. It is an 8-week, pan-genotypic treatment for patients without cirrhosis and who are new to treatment.

        Additional Virology products.    AbbVie's additional virology products include:

        KALETRA.    KALETRA (lopinavir/ritonavir), which is also marketed as Aluvia in emerging markets, is a prescription anti-HIV-1 medicine that contains two protease inhibitors: lopinavir and ritonavir. KALETRA is used with other anti-HIV-1 medications as a treatment that maintains viral suppression in people with HIV-1.

        NORVIR.    NORVIR (ritonavir) is a protease inhibitor that is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

        SYNAGIS.    SYNAGIS (palivizumab) is a product marketed by AbbVie outside of the United States that protects at-risk infants from severe respiratory disease caused by RSV.

        Metabolics/Hormones products.    Metabolic and hormone products target a number of conditions, including testosterone deficiency due to certain underlying conditions, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and hypothyroidism. These products include:

        AndroGel.    AndroGel (testosterone gel) is a testosterone replacement therapy for males diagnosed with symptomatic low testosterone due to certain underlying conditions that is available in two strengths: 1 percent and 1.62 percent.

        CREON.    CREON (pancrelipase) is a pancreatic enzyme therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition that occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis and several other conditions.

        Synthroid.    Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium tablets, USP) is used in the treatment of hypothyroidism.

        AbbVie has the rights to sell AndroGel, CREON and Synthroid only in the United States.

        Endocrinology products.    Lupron (leuprolide acetate), which is also marketed as Lucrin and LUPRON DEPOT, is a product for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, treatment of endometriosis and central precocious puberty and for the preoperative treatment of patients with anemia caused by uterine fibroids. Lupron is approved for daily subcutaneous injection and one-month, three-month, four-month and six-month intramuscular injection.

        Other products.    AbbVie's other products include:

        ORILISSA (elagolix).    ORILISSA has been approved by the FDA for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. ORILISSA represents the first FDA-approved oral treatment for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis in over a decade.

        Duopa and Duodopa (carbidopa and levodopa).    AbbVie's levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease is marketed as Duopa in the United States and as Duodopa outside of the United States.

        Anesthesia products.    Sevoflurane (sold under the trademarks Ultane and Sevorane) is an anesthesia product that AbbVie sells worldwide for human use.

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Our Corporate Information

        AbbVie was incorporated in Delaware on April 10, 2012. On January 1, 2013, AbbVie became an independent company as a result of the distribution by Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott") of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of AbbVie to Abbott's shareholders. AbbVie's common stock began trading "regular-way" under the ticker symbol "ABBV" on the New York Stock Exchange on January 2, 2013.

        AbbVie also maintains an Internet site at www.abbvie.com. AbbVie's website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein, and you should not rely on any such information in making an investment decision.

        For information regarding the results of AbbVie's historical operations, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in AbbVie's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

        AbbVie is a Delaware corporation. The address of AbbVie's principal executive offices is 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064. AbbVie's telephone number is (847) 932-7900.

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following table sets forth selected financial information for AbbVie as of and for the periods indicated. The selected financial information of AbbVie as of and for the periods from 2015 to 2017 are derived from its audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The selected interim financial information has been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and includes, in the opinion of our management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information. The results for the six-month period does not necessarily indicate the results to be expected for the full year. You should read the following information in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of any results to be expected in the future. See "Where to Obtain More Information."

 
  As of
and for the
six months
ended June 30,
  As of and for the years ended
December 31,
 
(in millions)
  2018   2017   2016   2015  

Statement of earnings data

                         

Net revenues

  $ 16,212   $ 28,216   $ 25,638   $ 22,859  

Net earnings

  $ 4,766   $ 5,309   $ 5,953   $ 5,144  

Balance sheet data

                         

Total assets(a)(b)

  $ 61,641   $ 70,786   $ 66,099   $ 53,050  

Long-term debt and lease obligations(a)(b)(c)

  $ 33,598   $ 36,968   $ 36,465   $ 31,265  

(a)
In May 2015, AbbVie acquired Pharmacyclics, Inc. for approximately $20.8 billion, including cash consideration of $12.4 billion and equity consideration of approximately 128 million shares of AbbVie common stock valued at $8.4 billion. In connection with the acquisition, the Company issued $16.7 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes, of which approximately $11.5 billion was used to finance the acquisition and approximately $5.0 billion was used to finance an accelerated share repurchase program. Refer to Notes 5, 9 and 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for information regarding the acquisition of Pharmacyclics, Inc., the senior notes and the accelerated share repurchase program.

(b)
In June 2016, AbbVie acquired Stemcentrx, Inc. for approximately $6.4 billion, including cash consideration of $1.9 billion, equity consideration of approximately 62.4 million shares of AbbVie common stock valued at $3.9 billion and contingent consideration of approximately $620 million. In connection with the acquisition, the Company issued $7.8 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes. Of the $7.7 billion net proceeds, approximately $1.9 billion was used to finance the acquisition, approximately $3.8 billion was used to finance an accelerated share repurchase program and approximately $2.0 billion was used to repay the Company's outstanding term loan that was due to mature in November 2016. Refer to Notes 5, 9 and 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for information regarding the acquisition of Stemcentrx, Inc., the senior notes and the accelerated share repurchase program, respectively.

(c)
Includes current portion of both long-term debt and lease obligations.

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THE OFFERING

        The summary below describes the principal terms of the Notes offered hereby. Certain of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. You should carefully review the "Description of Notes" section of this prospectus supplement, which contains a more detailed description of the terms and conditions of the Notes.

Issuer

  AbbVie Inc.

Securities Offered

 

$1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes.

 

$1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2023 Notes.

 

$1,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2028 Notes.

 

$1,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2048 Notes.

Interest Rate on Notes

 

3.375% for the 2021 Notes.

 

3.750% for the 2023 Notes.

 

4.250% for the 2028 Notes.

 

4.875% for the 2048 Notes.

Interest Payment Dates

 

May 14 and November 14 in each year, commencing May 14, 2019.

Maturity

 

November 14, 2021 for the 2021 Notes.

 

November 14, 2023 for the 2023 Notes.

 

November 14, 2028 for the 2028 Notes.

 

November 14, 2048 for the 2048 Notes.

Optional Redemption

 

At any time prior to (i) the Par Call Date (as defined herein) applicable to a series of Notes other than the 2021 Notes and (ii) the maturity date of the 2021 Notes, the Issuer may redeem some or all of the Notes of such series at its option, in each case at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

100% of the principal amount of the Notes of that series to be redeemed; and

 

the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments (through (i) the Par Call Date with respect to such Notes other than the 2021 Notes assuming for such purpose that such Notes other than the 2021 Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date or (ii) the maturity date with respect to the 2021 Notes) of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the then current Treasury Rate plus 10 basis points for the 2021 Notes, 15 basis points for the 2023 Notes, 25 basis points for the 2028 Notes, and 30 basis points for the 2048 Notes.

 

In each case, the Issuer will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

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In addition, at any time on or after the Par Call Date applicable to a series of Notes other than the 2021 Notes, the Issuer may redeem some or all of the Notes of such series at its option, in each case at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes of that series to be redeemed, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

"Par Call Date" means (i) with respect to the 2023 Notes, October 14, 2023 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2023 Notes), (ii) with respect to the 2028 Notes, August 14, 2028 (three months prior to the maturity date of the 2028 Notes) and (iii) with respect to the 2048 Notes, May 14, 2048 (six months prior to the maturity date of the 2048 Notes).

 

The redemption provisions are discussed in this prospectus supplement under the caption "Description of Notes—Optional Redemption."

Ranking

 

The Notes will be the Issuer's unsecured, unsubordinated obligations, and will:

 

rank equally in right of payment with all of the Issuer's existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations;

 

rank senior in right of payment to all of the Issuer's future indebtedness that is subordinated to the Notes;

 

be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Issuer's existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

 

be structurally subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of the Issuer's subsidiaries.

Use of Proceeds

 

The Issuer intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, together with cash on hand, (i) to redeem, satisfy and discharge or repay at maturity all of its 2.000% Senior Notes due 2018 in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $1.0 billion, and to pay any premium and accrued interest in respect thereof, (ii) to prepay or repay at maturity the 2015 Term Loan Facility (as defined herein) in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $2.0 billion, and to pay any accrued interest in respect thereof, and/or (iii) for general corporate purposes.

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Certain Covenants

 

The indenture governing the Notes includes covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Issuer and its subsidiaries to create or permit to exist mortgages with respect to their principal domestic properties and certain other assets and to enter into sale and leaseback transactions with respect to such principal domestic properties and limit the Issuer's ability to consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey, transfer, or lease the Issuer's properties and assets substantially as an entirety. These covenants are subject to a number of important qualifications and limitations. See "Description of Notes."

Trustee

 

U.S. Bank National Association.

Additional Notes

 

The Issuer may "re-open" each series of Notes and issue an unlimited principal amount of additional Notes of that series in the future without the consent of the holders.

Form and Denominations

 

The Notes will be book-entry only and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the Notes through DTC, Clearstream Banking, S.A. or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, if they are participants in these systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in these systems. The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Risk Factors

 

You should carefully consider the information set forth herein under "Risk Factors" and the other information in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein by reference in deciding whether to purchase the Notes.

No Public Market

 

The Notes are new securities and there are currently no established trading markets for any series of the Notes. Certain of the underwriters have advised the Issuer that they presently intend to make a market for each series of the Notes. However, you should be aware that they are not obligated to make a market for any series of the Notes and may discontinue their market-making activities at any time without notice. As a result, liquid markets for the Notes may not be available if you try to sell your Notes. The Issuer does not intend to apply to list the Notes on any national securities exchange or for inclusion of the Notes on any automated dealer quotation system.

Conflicts of Interest

 

Because of the manner in which the proceeds will be used, more than five percent of the net proceeds of the offering may be paid to members or affiliates of members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. participating in the offering, which creates a conflict of interest under FINRA Rule 5121. As a result, the offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. In accordance with that rule, no "qualified independent underwriter" is required because the Notes will be investment grade rated.

Governing Law

 

The State of New York.

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RISK FACTORS

        You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision. These risks are not the only risks that we face in our business and/or in connection with this offering. Our business, financial condition and results of operations and/or the Notes offered hereby could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to be material.

Risks Relating to Our Business

        For a discussion of the risks related to our business you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under "Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Issuer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in other documents that we subsequently file with the SEC that update, supplement or supersede such information, all of which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

Risks Related to this Offering

         In addition to indebtedness that will be issued in this offering, the Issuer has significant outstanding unused borrowing capacity and significant outstanding debt and may incur additional debt in the future. The terms of such indebtedness could restrict the activities of AbbVie.

        In August 2018, the Issuer entered into a revolving credit facility with various financial institutions. In May 2018, the Issuer entered into a term loan facility with various financial institutions. There are currently no amounts outstanding under such revolving credit facility and $3.0 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding under such term loan facility. These credit facilities impose restrictions on the Issuer and its subsidiaries, including certain restrictions on their ability to incur liens on their assets. In addition, these credit facilities require the Issuer to maintain compliance with a financial covenant. The Issuer's ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants may be affected by events beyond its control. If the Issuer breaches any of these restrictions or covenants and does not obtain a waiver from the lenders under the applicable credit facility, then, subject to applicable cure periods, any outstanding indebtedness under such credit facility could be declared immediately due and payable. In addition, as of June 30, 2018, AbbVie had $32.4 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes outstanding (based on exchange rates in effect as of September 6, 2018). AbbVie may also incur significantly more debt in the future.

         The Issuer has limited direct operations and depends on dividends and other distributions from its subsidiaries.

        The Issuer has limited direct operations. The Issuer's principal assets are the equity interests that the Issuer holds in its subsidiaries. As a result, the Issuer depends on dividends and other distributions from its subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet its financial obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on its outstanding indebtedness. The Issuer's subsidiaries are legally distinct from the Issuer and have no obligation to pay amounts due on the Issuer's indebtedness or to make funds available for such payment. In addition, the Issuer's subsidiaries will be permitted under the terms of the indenture governing the Notes to incur additional indebtedness that may restrict or prohibit the making of distributions, the payment of dividends or the making of loans by such subsidiaries to the Issuer. The Issuer cannot assure you that the agreements governing the current and future indebtedness of its subsidiaries will permit such subsidiaries to provide it with sufficient dividends, distributions or loans to fund payments on the Notes when due.

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         An increase in interest rates could result in a decrease in the market values of the Notes.

        In general, as market interest rates rise, notes bearing interest at a fixed rate decline in value because the premium over market interest rates, if any, will decline. Consequently, if you purchase the Notes and market interest rates increase, the market values of your Notes may decline. The Issuer cannot predict the future level of market interest rates.

         Changes in the Issuer's credit ratings may adversely affect the values of the Notes.

        Any ratings assigned to the Notes could be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies if, in each rating agency's judgment, circumstances warrant. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in the Issuer's credit ratings, including any announcement that the Issuer's ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could affect the market values of the Notes.

         The indenture governing the Notes will not restrict the amount of additional debt that AbbVie may incur.

        The Notes and the indenture under which the Notes will be issued do not place any limitation on the amount of debt that AbbVie may incur (other than certain limited restrictions on the incurrence of certain secured debt). AbbVie's incurrence of additional debt may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for the Issuer to satisfy its obligations with respect to the Notes, a loss in the market values of the Notes and a risk that any credit rating of the Notes is lowered or withdrawn. In addition, the Issuer is not restricted under the indenture governing the Notes from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing its securities.

        There are no financial covenants in the indenture governing the Notes. Except for the covenants described under "Description of Notes—Certain Covenants of AbbVie" and "Description of Notes—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets," there are no covenants or any other provisions in the indenture under which the Notes will be issued which may afford you protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, including one that may or may not result in a change of control of the Issuer.

         There are currently no markets for the Notes, and active trading markets may not develop for the Notes.

        The Notes are new securities for which there are no established public markets. The Issuer does not intend to have the Notes listed on a national securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation systems. Certain of the underwriters have advised the Issuer that they intend to make a market for each series of the Notes as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to make a market for any series of the Notes, and they may discontinue their market-making activities at any time without notice. In addition, the liquidity of the trading markets in the Notes and the market prices quoted for the Notes may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for securities and by changes in AbbVie's financial performance or prospects or changes in the financial performance or prospects of companies in AbbVie's industry. Active trading markets for the Notes may not develop or be sustained and there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any markets that do develop. You may not be able to sell your Notes at a particular time, and the price that you receive when you sell may not be favorable.

         Neither the Issuer nor any of its subsidiaries has any property that has been determined to be a principal domestic property under the indenture governing the Notes.

        The indenture governing the Notes includes covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Issuer and its subsidiaries to create or permit to exist mortgages with respect to their principal domestic properties and certain other assets and to enter into sale and leaseback transactions with respect to such principal domestic properties. However, as of the date of this prospectus supplement, neither the Issuer, nor any of its subsidiaries, has any property that constitutes a principal domestic property under the indenture governing the Notes.

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         The Issuer's board of directors has broad discretion to determine that a property is not a principal domestic property and therefore not subject to certain covenants in the indenture governing the Notes.

        The indenture governing the Notes includes covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Issuer and its subsidiaries to create or permit to exist mortgages with respect to their principal domestic properties and certain other assets and to enter into sale and leaseback transactions with respect to such principal domestic properties. The indenture governing the Notes provides that a principal domestic property means any building, structure or other facility, together with the land on which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof, used primarily for manufacturing, processing, research, warehousing or distribution and located in the United States (excluding its territories and possessions and Puerto Rico), owned or leased by the Issuer or any of its domestic subsidiaries and having a net book value which, on the date the determination as to whether a property is a principal domestic property is being made, exceeds 2% of the consolidated net assets of the Issuer, other than any such building, structure or other facility or a portion thereof (i) which is an air or water pollution control facility financed by state or local governmental obligations or (ii) which the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, an executive vice president, a senior vice president or a vice president and the chief financial officer, treasurer, or assistant treasurer of the Issuer determine in good faith, at any time on or prior to such date, is not of material importance to the total business conducted, or assets owned, by the Issuer and its subsidiaries as an entirety. Although it has not yet done so, under the terms of the indenture governing the Notes, the chairman of the board of the Issuer or any of the Issuer's executive officers listed above may determine from time to time that an AbbVie property is not a principal domestic property and therefore such property is not subject to the covenants in the indenture governing the Notes.

         The Notes will not be guaranteed by any of the Issuer's subsidiaries and are structurally subordinated to any existing or future preferred stock, indebtedness, guarantees and other liabilities of the Issuer's subsidiaries.

        The Notes will be obligations exclusively of the Issuer and will not be guaranteed by any of the Issuer's subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to existing or future preferred stock, indebtedness, guarantees and other liabilities, including trade payables, of the Issuer's subsidiaries. The indenture governing the Notes does not restrict the Issuer or its subsidiaries from incurring substantial additional indebtedness in the future.

        As of June 30, 2018, on a pro forma basis, giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Notes and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom, as described in this prospectus supplement, as if such transactions had occurred on June 30, 2018, the Issuer would have had approximately $40.0 billion of outstanding indebtedness. In addition, the Issuer has unused borrowing capacity of up to $3.0 billion under its revolving credit facility. The Issuer's subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities from the Issuer and such subsidiaries have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the Notes or to provide the Issuer with funds to meet the payment obligations on the Notes. Any payment of dividends, loans or advances by the Issuer's subsidiaries could be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions and will be contingent upon the subsidiaries' earnings and business considerations. The Issuer's right to receive any assets of any of its subsidiaries upon their bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar reorganization, and the rights of the holders of the Notes, will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of such subsidiaries.

         The Notes are subject to prior claims of secured creditors.

        The Notes will be unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer, and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Issuer's existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations and will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Issuer's existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such

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indebtedness. As of June 30, 2018, the Issuer did not have any significant secured debt outstanding. However, each of the the indenture governing the Notes and the agreements governing the Issuer's revolving credit facility and term loan facility permits the Issuer and its subsidiaries to incur secured debt under certain circumstances, and the amounts could be substantial. If the Issuer incurs any debt secured by its assets or the assets of its subsidiaries, these assets could be subject to the claims of secured creditors that are prior to your claim as a holder of Notes.

        In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, the pledged assets of the Issuer would be available to satisfy obligations in respect of the secured debt before any payment could be made on the Notes. As a result, the Notes will be effectively subordinated to any secured debt that the Issuer may have to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. To the extent that such pledged assets cannot satisfy such secured debt, the holders of such debt would have a claim for any shortfall that would rank equally in right of payment with the Notes.

         The Issuer's credit ratings may not reflect all risks of your investment in the Notes.

        Any credit ratings assigned or that will be assigned to the Notes are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the Notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating agency. There can be no assurance that such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the applicable rating agencies, if, in such rating agency's judgment, circumstances so warrant.

        Agency credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Each agency's rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency's rating. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in the Issuer's credit ratings, including any announcement that its ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could affect the market values of the Notes and increase the Issuer's corporate borrowing costs.

         The Issuer may choose to redeem the Notes of any series prior to maturity.

        The Issuer may redeem some or all of the Notes of any series at any time. See "Description of Notes—Optional Redemption." Although the Notes contain provisions designed to compensate you for the lost value of your Notes if the Issuer redeems some or all of the Notes prior to maturity, they are only an approximation of this lost value and may not adequately compensate you. Furthermore, depending on prevailing interest rates at the time of any such redemption, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an interest rate as high as the interest rate of the Notes being redeemed or at an interest rate that would otherwise compensate you for any lost value as a result of any redemption of Notes.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        The Issuer expects the net proceeds to it from this offering will be approximately $5.9 billion (after deducting underwriting discounts and its estimated offering expenses). The Issuer intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, together with cash on hand, (i) to redeem, satisfy and discharge or repay at maturity all of its 2.000% Senior Notes due 2018 in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $1.0 billion, which have a stated maturity date of November 6, 2018, and to pay any premium and accrued interest in respect thereof, (ii) to prepay or repay at maturity the Issuer's term loan facility under that certain Three-Year Term Loan Agreement, dated September 25, 2015 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the "2015 Term Loan Facility"), among the Issuer, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $2.0 billion, which has a stated maturity of September 25, 2018 and bears interest at variable rates based on AbbVie's public debt ratings, and to pay any accrued interest in respect thereof, and/or (iii) for general corporate purposes.

        The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates may hold positions in the Issuer's 2.000% Senior Notes due 2018 and/or may be lenders under its 2015 Term Loan Facility and, to the extent they hold such notes or are lenders under such term loan facility, they may receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes used to redeem or satisfy and discharge such notes or prepay such term loan facility, as applicable. See "Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Conflicts of Interest."

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The table below sets forth AbbVie's historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. We have not presented a ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends because we did not have preferred stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus supplement. The following table should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included under Item 7 of AbbVie's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. For further information, see Exhibit 12.2 (Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges) to AbbVie's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2018
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2017   2016   2015   2014   2013  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    8.2     7.3     7.4     8.0     6.0     16.6  

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2018 on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect only to the issuance and sale of the Notes and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom, as described in this prospectus supplement.

        Actual amounts set forth in the table are subject to adjustments and may differ at the time of the consummation of the proposed transactions depending on several factors, including changes in the actual amount of fees and expenses related to the proposed transactions and the outstanding amount of indebtedness at that time.

        You should read this table in conjunction with the "Use of Proceeds" section and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto and other financial information, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 
  As of June 30, 2018  
(rounded to dollars in millions)
  Actual   As Adjusted  

Cash and equivalents

  $ 3,547   $ 6,467  

Total debt and lease obligations:

             

Revolving credit facility (up to $3 billion)

         

Term loan facility due 2018

    2,000      

Term loan facility due 2019

    3,000     3,000  

2.00% notes due 2018(a)

    1,000      

0.38% notes due 2019 (€1,400 principal)(a)(b)

    1,618     1,618  

2.50% notes due 2020(a)

    3,744     3,744  

2.30% notes due 2021(a)

    1,798     1,798  

2.90% notes due 2022(a)

    3,091     3,091  

3.20% notes due 2022(a)

    999     999  

2.85% notes due 2023(a)

    1,000     1,000  

1.38% notes due 2024 (€1,450 principal)(a)(b)

    1,675     1,675  

3.60% notes due 2025(a)

    3,745     3,745  

3.20% notes due 2026(a)

    1,994     1,994  

2.13% notes due 2028 (€750 principal)(a)(b)

    866     866  

4.50% notes due 2035(a)

    2,485     2,485  

4.30% notes due 2036(a)

    995     995  

4.40% notes due 2042(a)

    2,578     2,578  

4.70% notes due 2045(a)

    2,699     2,699  

4.45% notes due 2046(a)

    1,988     1,988  

Notes offered hereby:

             

3.375% senior notes due 2021(a)

        1,248  

3.750% senior notes due 2023(a)

        1,248  

4.250% senior notes due 2028(a)

        1,735  

4.875% senior notes due 2048(a)

        1,732  

Other

    613     613  

Fair value hedges

    (644 )   (637 )

Unamortized deferred financing costs

    (135 )   (171 )

Stockholders' equity (deficit)

    (3,375 )   (3,384 )

Total capitalization

    33,734     36,659  

(a)
Net of discount.

(b)
Based on a U.S. dollar to Euro exchange rate of 1.1572 as of June 30, 2018.

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

        The Notes will be issued under an indenture, dated as of November 8, 2012 (the "indenture"), between AbbVie and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by one or more supplemental indentures relating to the Notes. The following description of the terms of the Notes supplements, and, to the extent it is inconsistent therewith replaces, the description of the general terms of debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus, to which description reference is hereby made. The following summary of certain provisions of the indenture and the Notes does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture and the Notes, including the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made part thereof by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). In this description all references to "AbbVie," "we," "our" and "us" mean AbbVie Inc. only.

General

        AbbVie is issuing $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes. The 2021 Notes will mature on November 14, 2021. Interest on the 2021 Notes will accrue at the rate of 3.375% per annum.

        AbbVie is issuing $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2023 Notes. The 2023 Notes will mature on November 14, 2023. Interest on the 2023 Notes will accrue at the rate of 3.750% per annum.

        AbbVie is issuing $1,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2028 Notes. The 2028 Notes will mature on November 14, 2028. Interest on the 2028 Notes will accrue at the rate of 4.250% per annum.

        AbbVie is issuing $1,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2048 Notes. The 2048 Notes will mature on November 14, 2048. Interest on the 2048 Notes will accrue at the rate of 4.875% per annum.

        The Notes will be issued in fully registered form and shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

        In the future, AbbVie may, without the consent of the holders, increase the principal amount of any series of Notes offered hereby. The Notes of each series and any additional Notes of such series subsequently issued under the indenture will be treated as a single series or class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments and redemptions; provided that, if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the existing Notes for United States federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

        The indenture limits neither the amount of debt that AbbVie may issue under the indenture, nor the amount of other debt or securities that AbbVie or any of its subsidiaries may issue. AbbVie may issue debt securities under the indenture from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount authorized prior to issuance. Other than the restrictions contained in the indenture on secured debt and sale/leaseback transactions described below under "Certain Covenants of AbbVie," and the restrictions described below under "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets," the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to protect holders of the debt securities in the event AbbVie participates in a highly leveraged transaction. In addition, the indenture does not limit AbbVie's ability to guarantee any indebtedness of its subsidiaries or any other person.

Interest

        Interest on each series of Notes will be payable semi annually in arrears on May 14 and November 14 in each year, commencing May 14, 2019, to the persons in whose names the Notes are

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registered at the close of business on the date that is 15 calendar days prior to the relevant interest payment date (whether or not a business day). Interest on each series of Notes will be paid on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

        In any case where any interest or other payment date of any Note is not a business day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on the applicable interest or other payment date, provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such interest or other payment date.

Optional Redemption

        At any time prior to (i) the Par Call Date applicable to a series of Notes other than the 2021 Notes and (ii) the maturity date of the 2021 Notes, AbbVie may redeem some or all of the Notes of such series at its option, in each case at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

        In each case, AbbVie will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

        In addition, at any time on or after the Par Call Date applicable to a series of Notes other than the 2021 Notes, AbbVie may redeem some or all of the Notes of such series at its option, in each case at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes of that series to be redeemed, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

        For purposes of the foregoing discussion of optional redemption, the following definitions are applicable:

        "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by the Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes other than the 2021 Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) ("Remaining Life") of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life of such Notes (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes other than the 2021 Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date).

        "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) if AbbVie obtains four or more Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, the average of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if AbbVie obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

        "Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers that AbbVie appoints to act as the Independent Investment Banker from time to time.

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        "New York Business Day" means any calendar day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in New York, New York and on which commercial banks are open for business in New York, New York.

        "Par Call Date" means (i) with respect to the 2023 Notes, October 14, 2023 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2023 Notes), (ii) with respect to the 2028 Notes, August 14, 2028 (three months prior to the maturity date of the 2028 Notes), and (iii) with respect to the 2048 Notes, May 14, 2048 (six months prior to the maturity date of the 2048 Notes).

        "Primary Treasury Dealer" means a primary United States government securities dealer in the United States of America.

        "Reference Treasury Dealer" means (i) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of them ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, AbbVie will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealers AbbVie selects.

        "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by AbbVie, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to AbbVie by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third New York Business Day preceding such redemption date.

        "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date: (1) the rate per annum equal to the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated "H.15(519)" or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities" for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue; provided that, if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life of the Notes to be redeemed, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month; or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third New York Business Day preceding the redemption date.

        Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of the Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. The notice of redemption for the Notes will state, among other things, the series and amount of Notes to be redeemed, the redemption date, the redemption price and the place or places that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of Notes to be redeemed. Unless AbbVie defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on any Notes that have been called for redemption at the redemption date. If fewer than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select, not more than 45 days prior to the redemption date, the particular Notes or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Notes not previously redeemed by random lot.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on any series of Notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to the applicable redemption date will be payable on such interest payment dates to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record dates in accordance with the Notes and the indenture.

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Open Market Purchases

        AbbVie or any of its affiliates may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise.

Sinking Fund

        There is no provision for a sinking fund for any of the Notes.

Ranking

        The Notes will be the Issuer's unsecured, unsubordinated obligations, and will:

        AbbVie derives substantially all of its operating income from, and holds substantially all of its assets through, its subsidiaries. AbbVie depends on distributions of cash flow and earnings from its subsidiaries in order to meet its payment obligations under the Notes and its other debt obligations. These subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and will have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the Notes, or to provide AbbVie with funds for its payment obligations with respect thereto, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise. As a result, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to the liabilities of AbbVie's subsidiaries, including trade payables. In addition, provisions of applicable law, such as those limiting the payment of dividends, could limit the ability of AbbVie's subsidiaries to make payments or other distributions to it, and AbbVie's subsidiaries could agree to contractual restrictions on their ability to pay dividends or make payments or other distributions to it. As of June 30, 2018, on a pro forma basis, giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Notes and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom, as described in this prospectus supplement, as if such transactions had occurred on June 30, 2018, AbbVie would have had approximately $40.0 billion of outstanding indebtedness. In addition, AbbVie has unused borrowing capacity of up to $3.0 billion under its revolving credit facility.

Certain Covenants of AbbVie

Restrictions on Secured Debt

        If AbbVie or any Domestic Subsidiary incurs, issues, assumes or guarantees any indebtedness for borrowed money represented by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for borrowed money (called "Debt") and that Debt is secured by a Mortgage on any Principal Domestic Property, or any shares of stock or Debt of any Domestic Subsidiary, AbbVie will secure, or cause its Domestic Subsidiary to secure, the Notes equally and ratably with, or prior to, such secured Debt, so long as such secured Debt shall be so secured, unless, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all such secured Debt plus all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions involving Principal Domestic Properties (other than Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted pursuant to the second bullet under the heading "Restrictions on Sale and Leasebacks" below), would not exceed 15% of AbbVie's Consolidated Net Assets. This restriction will not apply to, and there shall be excluded from secured Debt in any computation under this restriction, Debt secured by:

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Restrictions on Sales and Leasebacks

        Neither AbbVie nor any Domestic Subsidiary may enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless either:

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Certain Definitions

        The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the restrictive covenants of AbbVie:

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

        AbbVie shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

        Upon any consolidation of AbbVie with, or merger of AbbVie into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of AbbVie substantially as an entirety in accordance with the above provisions, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which AbbVie is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, AbbVie under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named in the indenture, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the indenture and the Notes.

        The phrase "substantially as an entirety," as used with respect to our assets and properties in this covenant, is subject to interpretation under applicable state law, and its applicability in a given instance would depend upon the facts and circumstances. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially as an entirety," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the applicability of the requirement that any Person assume AbbVie's obligations on the Notes in connection with any conveyance, transfer or lease of AbbVie's properties and assets may be uncertain.

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Events of Default

        The indenture defines an event of default with respect to any series of Notes as being:

        The Trustee is required to give holders of the particular series of Notes written notice of a default with respect to that series as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. In the case of any default of the character described above in clause (3) of the immediately preceding paragraph, no such notice to holders must be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence of that default.

        AbbVie is required annually to deliver to the Trustee a certificate stating whether or not the signers have any knowledge of any default by AbbVie in its performance and observance of any terms, provisions and conditions of the indenture.

        In case an event of default (other than an event of default involving an event of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of AbbVie) shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series of Notes, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the particular series of Notes then outstanding may declare the principal amount of such series of Notes to be immediately due and payable. If an event of default relating to any event of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of AbbVie occurs, the principal of all the Notes then outstanding will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the Trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding series of Notes affected by the default may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement. Depending on the terms of AbbVie's other indebtedness, an event of default in respect of the Notes may give rise to cross defaults on its other indebtedness.

        Any past default with respect to a series of Notes may be waived on behalf of all holders of that series of Notes by at least a majority in principal amount of the holders of the outstanding Notes of that series, except a default:

        Any default that is so waived will cease to exist and any event of default arising from that default will be deemed to be cured and shall cease to exist for every purpose under the indenture, but no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

        A holder of Notes of any series will be able to pursue any remedy under the indenture only if:

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        Holders of Notes, however, are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of principal and interest due on their Notes on or after its due date.

Modification of the Indenture

        AbbVie and the Trustee may modify the indenture or any supplemental indenture without the consent of the holders of the Notes for one or more of the following purposes:

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        AbbVie and the Trustee may otherwise modify the indenture or any supplemental indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of each series of Notes affected for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of Notes of such series under the indenture or any supplemental indentures. However, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Note affected by such modification, no modification may:

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        The provisions of the indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance as described in the indenture will apply to the Notes.

        The indenture provides that, at AbbVie's option, AbbVie:

in each case, if

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        If AbbVie fails to comply with its remaining obligations under the indenture after a covenant defeasance with respect to the Notes of any series and the Notes of such series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee may be insufficient to pay amounts due on the Notes of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. AbbVie will, however, remain liable for those payments.

Satisfaction and Discharge

        The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in the indenture) as to all outstanding Notes of any series when:

        (1)   either (a) all the Notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by AbbVie and thereafter repaid to it or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (b) all of the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or (iii) if redeemable at AbbVie's option, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of AbbVie, and AbbVie has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable), or to their stated maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be (provided that in

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connection with any discharge relating to any redemption that requires the payment of a premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of the indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the redemption date only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the redemption date), together with irrevocable instructions from AbbVie directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

        (2)   AbbVie has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the indenture in respect of such series of Notes; and

        (3)   AbbVie has delivered to the Trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture with respect to such series of Notes have been complied with.

Governing Law

        The indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

The Trustee

        U.S. Bank National Association will be named as the "Trustee" under the indenture. U.S. Bank National Association and its affiliates perform certain commercial banking services for some of AbbVie's affiliates for which they receive customary fees.

        The Trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of any Notes pursuant to the indenture only after those holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request or direction.

Paying Agents

        AbbVie has designated the Trustee as its paying agent for payments on Notes. AbbVie may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

        The Trustee or paying agent, as applicable, will repay to AbbVie on AbbVie's written request any funds they hold for payments on the Notes that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After repayment to AbbVie, holders entitled to those funds must look only to it for payment.

Exchange, Registration and Transfer

        Notes of any series may be exchangeable for other Notes of the same series with the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the indenture. Holders may present registered Notes for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar. The security registrar will effect the transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request.

        AbbVie will appoint the Trustee as security registrar for the Notes. AbbVie may at any time designate additional security registrars for any series of Notes or rescind the designation of any security registrar or approve a change in the location through which any security registrar acts. AbbVie will be required to maintain an office or agency for transfers and exchanges in each place of payment.

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No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, but we or the security registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than as set forth in the indenture).

        Neither AbbVie nor the security registrar will be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note:

Book-Entry System

        We will issue the Notes initially in the form of one or more global notes (the "Global Notes") in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form. The Global Notes will be delivered to the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to as DTC, and registered in the name of DTC or the nominee of DTC.

        Except as described below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for Notes in registered certificated form ("Certificated Notes") except in the limited circumstances described below. See "—Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes." Except in the limited circumstances described below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes.

DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear

        The information in this section is provided solely as a matter of convenience and we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

        Beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may hold interests in the Global Notes through either DTC (in the United States), Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg ("Clearstream") or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System ("Euroclear") in Europe, either directly if they are participants in such systems or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in Clearstream's and Euroclear's names on the books of their United States depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers' securities accounts in the United States depositaries' names on the books of DTC.

        DTC has advised as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with DTC ("participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC's participants include securities brokers and dealers (which may include the initial purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.

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        Access to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly, which entities are referred to as "indirect participants." Persons who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through participants or indirect participants. DTC has no knowledge of the identity of beneficial owners of securities held by or on behalf of DTC. DTC's records reflect only the identity of its participants to whose accounts securities are credited. The ownership interests and transfer of ownership interests of each beneficial owner of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of DTC's participants and indirect participants. The rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC.

        We expect that, pursuant to procedures established by DTC:

        Investors in the Global Notes who are participants in DTC's system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) that are participants in such system. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, will be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.

        The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of participants, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

        Except as described below, owners of a beneficial interest in the Global Notes will not have Notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes and will not be considered the registered owners or "holders" thereof under the indenture for any purpose.

        Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, AbbVie, the Trustee and any agent of AbbVie or the Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the Notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the Notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes, whether or not the Notes be overdue, and neither AbbVie, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Consequently, neither AbbVie, the Trustee nor any agent of AbbVie or the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

        (1)   any aspect of DTC's records or any participant's or indirect participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC's records or any participant's or indirect participant's records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or

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        (2)   any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its participants or indirect participants.

        AbbVie expects that, under DTC's current practice, at the due date of any payment in respect of securities such as the Notes (including principal and interest), DTC will credit the accounts of the relevant participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the Notes as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or AbbVie. Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes, and we and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

        Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

        Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes described herein, cross-market transfers between the participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.

        AbbVie understands that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of Notes only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction.

        Although AbbVie understands that DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the procedures described herein to facilitate transfers of interests in the Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of AbbVie, the Trustee or any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

        AbbVie will make payments in respect of the Notes represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by the depositary; provided, however, that at AbbVie's option, payment of interest may be made by (1) check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the security register or (2) wire transfer as directed by the holder of any Note, in immediately available funds to an account maintained by the applicable depository or its nominee with respect to a Global Note, and to the holder of any Note or its nominee with respect to a Note in definitive form; provided

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further, that in the case of a Note in definitive form (x) the holder thereof shall have provided written wiring instructions to the Trustee on or before the related record date and (y) if appropriate instructions for any such wire transfer are not received by the related record date, then such payment shall be made by check mailed to the address of such holder specified in the security register. Any permitted secondary market trading activity in the Notes will be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. AbbVie expects that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.

        Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. AbbVie understands that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC's settlement date.

        If the principal of or any premium or interest on the Notes is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day without the accrual of any interest on that payment.

Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes

        AbbVie will issue Certificated Notes upon surrender by DTC of the Global Notes only if:

        (1)   DTC (a) notifies AbbVie that it is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary or clearing system for the Global Notes or (b) ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in either event, a successor depositary or clearing system is not appointed by AbbVie within 90 days of such notice or cessation;

        (2)   there has occurred and is continuing an event of default and DTC notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Note for Certificated Notes; or

        (3)   AbbVie determines not to have the Notes represented by a Global Note.

        In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of DTC (in accordance with its customary procedures).

        Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or its nominee in identifying the holders of beneficial interests in the Global Notes, and each such person may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Certificated Notes to be issued).

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders (each as defined below and collectively referred to as "Holders") with respect to the ownership and disposition of the Notes acquired in this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative rulings of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and judicial decisions, each as in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities are subject to differing interpretations and may change, possibly on a retroactive basis, and any such change could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth herein.

        This discussion applies only to Holders that purchase Notes in the initial offering at their original "issue price" (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the Notes is sold to purchasers (other than bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) for cash) and hold Notes as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address tax considerations applicable to subsequent purchasers of the Notes. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances or the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to Holders that are subject to special rules under the U.S. federal income tax laws including, for example, banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or other pass-through entities (or investors therein), individual retirement and other tax deferred accounts, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, U.S. Holders whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar, traders in securities that elect a mark-to-market method of accounting, "controlled foreign corporations," "passive foreign investment companies," U.S. expatriates, non-U.S. trusts and estates that have U.S. beneficiaries, and persons holding Notes as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction or risk reduction transaction, or persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to the Notes as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement. This discussion does not address the tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of Notes arising under the alternative minimum tax or the unearned income Medicare contribution tax pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, nor any considerations with respect to any withholding required pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2010 (including the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and any intergovernmental agreements entered in connection therewith and any laws, regulations or practices adopted in connection with any such agreement), and does not address any U.S. federal tax laws other than those pertaining to the income tax, nor does it address any foreign, state or local tax consequences. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in this discussion, and we cannot assure you that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.

        As used herein, a "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a Note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

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        As used herein, a "Non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of a Note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, trust, or estate that is not a U.S. Holder.

        If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such entity will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the entity. Holders of Notes that are partnerships or partners in such entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Notes.

        THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF ALL TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF NOTES. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF OWNING AND DISPOSING OF THE NOTES, AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

        The terms of the Notes provide for payments by us in excess of stated interest or principal, or prior to their scheduled payment dates, under certain circumstances. The possibility of such payments may implicate special rules under Treasury regulations governing "contingent payment debt instruments." According to those Treasury regulations, the possibility that such payments of excess or accelerated amounts will be made will not affect the amount of income a Holder recognizes in advance of the payment of such excess or accelerated amounts if there is only a remote chance as of the date the Notes are issued that such payments will be made. We intend to take the position that the likelihood that such payments of excess or accelerated amounts will be made is remote within the meaning of the applicable Treasury regulations. The remainder of this discussion assumes that this position will be respected. Our position that these contingencies are remote is binding on a Holder unless such Holder discloses its contrary position to the IRS in the manner required by applicable Treasury regulations. Our position is not, however, binding on the IRS, and if the IRS were to challenge this position successfully, a Holder might be required, among other things, to accrue interest income based on a projected payment schedule and comparable yield, which may be in excess of stated interest, and treat as ordinary income rather than capital gain any income realized on the taxable disposition of a Note. In the event a contingency described above occurs, it would affect the amount, timing and character of the income or loss recognized by a Holder. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences if the Notes were treated as contingent payment debt instruments. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Notes will not be considered contingent payment debt instruments.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders

Payments of Interest

        Payments of stated interest on a Note will generally be taxable to U.S. Holders as ordinary interest income at the time such interest payments are accrued or received, depending on such U.S. Holder's regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is anticipated, and this discussion assumes, that the issue price of the Notes will be equal to the stated principal amount or, if the issue price is less than the stated principal amount, that the difference will be a de minimis amount (as set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations).

Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes

        Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a Note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the sum of all cash plus the fair market value of all other property received on such disposition (other than amounts properly

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attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which, to the extent not previously included in income, will be treated as ordinary interest income) and (ii) such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note will generally equal the amount such U.S. Holder paid for the Note. Any gain or loss recognized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a Note generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, the U.S. Holder held the Note for a period of more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, are generally subject to tax at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

        Information reporting generally will apply to payments of principal and interest on the Notes and payments of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition (including retirement or a redemption) of the Notes unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient. U.S. federal backup withholding (currently, at a rate of 24%) generally will apply to such payments if the U.S. Holder fails to (i) provide a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 to the applicable withholding agent providing such U.S. Holder's correct taxpayer identification number and complying with certain certification requirements or (ii) otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding, and the procedures for establishing such exemption, if applicable.

        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be refunded or allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders

Payments of Interest

        Subject to the discussion below under "—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding," payments of interest on the Notes to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax under the "portfolio interest exemption," provided that:

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        If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements of the "portfolio interest exemption" described above, payments of interest made to such Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless such interest is effectively connected with such Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States) and such Non-U.S. Holder provides the applicable withholding agent with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI. In order to claim an exemption from or reduction of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally must provide to the applicable withholding agent a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty and the requirements for claiming any such benefits.

        Interest paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that is effectively connected with such Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States), generally will not be subject to the U.S. federal withholding tax discussed above, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder provides the applicable withholding agent with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI. Instead, such interest generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. person. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its "effectively connected earnings and profits" for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes

        Subject to the discussion below under "—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding," any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a Note by a Non-U.S. Holder (other than amounts properly attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which generally will be treated as described under "—Non-U.S. Holders—Payments of Interest") generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless:

        Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. person. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified under an applicable income tax treaty) on its "effectively connected earnings and profits" for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments.

        Gain described in the second bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be specified under an applicable income tax treaty), which gain may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses, if any, of the Non-U.S. Holder.

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

        Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of interest paid to such Non-U.S. Holder and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to such payments. These reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. This information may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established pursuant to the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement with those tax authorities.

        U.S. backup withholding tax (currently, at a rate of 24%) is imposed on certain payments to persons that fail to furnish the information required under the U.S. information reporting rules. Interest paid to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be exempt from backup withholding if the Non-U.S. Holder provides the applicable withholding agent with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or otherwise establishes an exemption.

        Under Treasury regulations, the payment of proceeds from the disposition of a Note by a Non-U.S. Holder effected at a U.S. office of a broker generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or other applicable IRS Form W-8), certifying such Non-U.S. Holder's non-U.S. status or by otherwise establishing an exemption. The payment of proceeds from the disposition of Notes by a Non-U.S. Holder effected at a non-U.S. office of a U.S. broker or a non-U.S. broker with certain specified U.S. connections generally will be subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless such Non-U.S. Holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or other applicable IRS Form W-8), certifying such Non-U.S. Holder's non-U.S. status or by otherwise establishing an exemption. Backup withholding will apply if the disposition is subject to information reporting and the broker has actual knowledge that the Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person.

        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be refunded or allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

        Subject to the terms and conditions contained in an underwriting agreement, dated as of the date of this prospectus supplement between the Issuer and the underwriters named below, for whom J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. are acting as representatives, the Issuer has agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from the Issuer, the principal amount of Notes that appears opposite its name in the table below:

Underwriter
  Principal
Amount of
2021 Notes
to be
Purchased
  Principal
Amount of
2023 Notes
to be
Purchased
  Principal
Amount of
2028 Notes
to be
Purchased
  Principal
Amount of
2048 Notes
to be
Purchased
 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                 Incorporated

  $ 218,750,000   $ 218,750,000   $ 306,250,000   $ 306,250,000  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    218,750,000     218,750,000     306,250,000     306,250,000  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    218,750,000     218,750,000     306,250,000     306,250,000  

BNP Paribas Securities Corp. 

    71,250,000     71,250,000     99,750,000     99,750,000  

Barclays Capital Inc. 

    71,250,000     71,250,000     99,750,000     99,750,000  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 

    71,250,000     71,250,000     99,750,000     99,750,000  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    71,250,000     71,250,000     99,750,000     99,750,000  

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 

    71,250,000     71,250,000     99,750,000     99,750,000  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    25,000,000     25,000,000     35,000,000     35,000,000  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. 

    25,000,000     25,000,000     35,000,000     35,000,000  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

    25,000,000     25,000,000     35,000,000     35,000,000  

MUFG Securities Americas Inc. 

    25,000,000     25,000,000     35,000,000     35,000,000  

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    25,000,000     25,000,000     35,000,000     35,000,000  

Santander Investment Securities Inc. 

    25,000,000     25,000,000     35,000,000     35,000,000  

SG Americas Securities, LLC

    25,000,000     25,000,000     35,000,000     35,000,000  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

    25,000,000     25,000,000     35,000,000     35,000,000  

DNB Markets, Inc. 

    12,500,000     12,500,000     17,500,000     17,500,000  

Lloyds Securities Inc. 

    12,500,000     12,500,000     17,500,000     17,500,000  

The Williams Capital Group, L.P. 

    12,500,000     12,500,000     17,500,000     17,500,000  

Total

  $ 1,250,000,000   $ 1,250,000,000   $ 1,750,000,000   $ 1,750,000,000  

        The underwriters are offering the Notes subject to their acceptance of the Notes from the Issuer and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the Notes offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to certain conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the Notes offered by this prospectus supplement if any such Notes are taken.

        Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any Notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price of up to 0.150% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes, up to 0.200% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes, up to 0.250% of the principal amount of the 2028 Notes, and up to 0.500% of the principal amount of the 2048 Notes. Any such securities dealers may resell any Notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount from the initial public offering price of up to 0.100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes, up to 0.150% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes, up to 0.200% of the principal amount of the 2028 Notes, and up to 0.350% of the principal amount of the 2048 Notes. If all the Notes are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

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        The Notes are new issues of securities with no established trading markets. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. We have been advised by certain of the underwriters that they intend to make markets in the Notes but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading markets for the Notes.

        We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts, will be approximately $6.1 million. We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of, certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        We expect to deliver the Notes against payment for the Notes on the third business day following the date of the pricing of the Notes ("T+3"). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade Notes on the date of pricing will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Notes initially will settle in T+3, to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

Stabilization and Short Positions

        In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell Notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of Notes than they are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of the Notes while the offering is in progress.

        The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased Notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

        These activities by the underwriters, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market prices of the Notes. As a result, the prices of the Notes may be higher than the prices that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time without notice. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Other Relationships

        The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to us and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

        As a result, certain of the underwriters or their respective affiliates may receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering that may be used to redeem, satisfy and discharge or prepay or repay at maturity, as the case may be, our indebtedness under existing or future debt agreements. Affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith lncorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Barclays Capital Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., SG Americas Securities, LLC and Wells Fargo

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Securities, LLC are lenders under the 2015 Term Loan Facility, which the Issuer intends to repay with the proceeds of this offering.

        In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively traded securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with us or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge, and certain other underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the Notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the Notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.

Conflicts of Interest

        As described in "Use of Proceeds," the Issuer intends to use $2.0 billion of the net proceeds from this offering to prepay or repay at maturity amounts outstanding under the 2015 Term Loan Facility. Because of the manner in which the proceeds will be used, more than five percent of the net proceeds of the offering may be paid to members or affiliates of members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. participating in the offering, which creates a conflict of interest under FINRA Rule 5121. As a result, the offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. In accordance with that rule, no "qualified independent underwriter" is required because the Notes will be investment grade rated.

Selling Restrictions

Canada

        The Notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the Notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

        Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor. Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

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Dubai International Financial Centre

        This prospectus supplement relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority ("DFSA"). This prospectus supplement is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus supplement. The Notes to which this prospectus supplement relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the Notes offered should conduct their own due diligence on the Notes. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

European Economic Area

        The Notes described herein are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC (as amended, the "Insurance Mediation Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, the "Prospectus Directive"). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in any Member State of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of Notes. This prospectus supplement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive.

Australia

        No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document (including as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ("Corporations Act")) has been or will be lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission ("ASIC") or any other governmental agency, in relation to the offering. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document for the purposes of Corporations Act, and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act. No action has been taken which would permit an offering of the Notes in circumstances that would require disclosure under Parts 6D.2 or 7.9 of the Corporations Act.

        The Notes may not be offered for sale, nor may application for the sale or purchase or any Notes be invited in Australia (including an offer or invitation which is received by a person in Australia) and neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering material or advertisement relating to the Notes may be distributed or published in Australia unless, in each case:

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such action does not require any document to be lodged with ASIC or the ASX.

United Kingdom

        Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

Hong Kong

        The Notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Japan

        The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any Notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

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Singapore

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

        Where the Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor), the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Notes under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

        Section 309B(1) Notification—the Issuer has determined, and hereby notifies all persons (including all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA)) that the Notes are prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018).

Switzerland

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the Notes described herein. The Notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Notes constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, and neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Notes or us have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of the Notes will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority ("FINMA"), and the offer of the Notes has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes ("CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of the Notes.

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Taiwan

        The Notes have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitutes an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the Notes in Taiwan.

United Arab Emirates

        The Notes have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

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WHERE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION

        We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the Notes offered hereby. This prospectus supplement does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the Notes offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement.

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., located at 100 F Street, N.E. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public over the Internet from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or our website at www.abbvie.com. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part and you should not rely on any such information in making your investment decision.


INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information included or previously incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement from the date we file the document containing such information. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement. Except to the extent furnished and not filed with the SEC pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or as otherwise permitted by the SEC rules, we incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and such documents shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and to be a part of this prospectus supplement from the respective dates of filing thereof.

        The documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement are:

        Documents incorporated by reference are available from us, without charge, excluding all exhibits unless specifically incorporated by reference in the documents. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement by writing to us at the following address or by calling us at the telephone number listed below:

AbbVie Inc.
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064
Attention: Investor Relations
(847) 932-7900
http://investors.abbvie.com

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INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, may include industry and trade association data, forecasts and information that we have prepared based, in part, upon data, forecasts and information obtained from independent trade associations, industry publications and surveys and other information available to us. Some data are also based on our good-faith estimates, which are derived from management's knowledge of the industry and independent sources. Industry publications and surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained in these materials has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information. In certain of the markets in which we operate, it may be difficult to directly ascertain industry or market data. Unless otherwise noted, statements about our market share and market position are approximated and based on management experience and estimates using the above-mentioned third-party data combined with our internal analysis and estimates. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding our industry data presented in the applicable documents, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Similarly, while we believe our internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent sources.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Some statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in AbbVie's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which has been filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. AbbVie notes these factors for investors as permitted by the PSLRA. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus and documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Certain legal matters related to the offering will be passed upon for us by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, New York, New York. Certain legal matters related to the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.


EXPERTS

        Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

ABBVIE INC.

Debt Securities

        This prospectus relates to the sale of one or more series of debt securities of AbbVie Inc., a Delaware corporation ("AbbVie," "we," "us" or the "Company"), from time to time, on terms and at prices determined at the time the debt securities are offered for sale. The terms and prices will be described in more detail in one or more supplements to this prospectus. Before investing, you should carefully read this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Prospectus supplements or free writing prospectuses may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus.

        We may offer and sell these securities to or through agents, underwriters, dealers, or directly to purchasers. The names of any agents, underwriters, or dealers and the terms of the arrangements with such entities will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Investing in our securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, in our subsequent periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectuses that we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering.



        Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.



   

Prospectus dated September 13, 2018.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    2  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    3  

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    4  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    5  

RISK FACTORS

    6  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    7  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

    9  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    12  

LEGAL MATTERS

    14  

EXPERTS

    15  

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a "shelf" registration process. Using this process, we may offer and sell debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings from time to time.

        We have not authorized anyone to give any information or to make any representations concerning the debt securities we may offer except those which are in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement that is delivered with this prospectus, any related free writing prospectus that we authorize, or any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information or representations that others may give or make to you. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the debt securities that are referred to in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy debt securities in any circumstances in which the offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not interpret the delivery of this prospectus, or any offer or sale of debt securities, as an indication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus.

        This prospectus provides you with a general description of debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities described in this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the debt securities being offered at that time. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus, and any statement in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus together with the additional information described under the headings "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Information Incorporated by Reference."

        You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference, including the sections entitled "Prospectus Summary" and "Risk Factors," contain certain forward-looking statements regarding business strategies, market potential, future financial performance and other matters. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of AbbVie management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include the matters described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." AbbVie does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus, unless AbbVie is required by applicable securities law to do so. Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and in our reports filed with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our debt securities. You should read the following summary together with the more detailed information regarding our Company, the securities being registered hereby and our financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by reference into this prospectus.


AbbVie Inc.

Overview

        AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company. AbbVie develops and markets advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie's products are focused on treating conditions such as chronic autoimmune diseases in rheumatology, gastroenterology and dermatology; oncology, including blood cancers; virology, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus; neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease; metabolic diseases, including thyroid disease and complications associated with cystic fibrosis; as well as other serious health conditions. AbbVie also has a pipeline of promising new medicines in clinical development across such important medical specialties as immunology, oncology and neuroscience, with additional targeted investment in cystic fibrosis and women's health.

        AbbVie was incorporated in Delaware on April 10, 2012. On January 1, 2013, AbbVie became an independent company as a result of the distribution by Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott") of 100% of the outstanding common stock of AbbVie to Abbott's shareholders.

        AbbVie also maintains an Internet site at www.abbvie.com. AbbVie's website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein, and you should not rely on any such information in making an investment decision.

        The address of AbbVie's principal executive offices is 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064. AbbVie's telephone number is 847-932-7900.

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INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information included or previously incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the date we file the document containing such information. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. Except to the extent furnished and not filed with the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or as otherwise permitted by the SEC rules, we incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), from the date of this prospectus until the completion of the offering in the relevant prospectus supplement to which this prospectus relates or the offering is terminated.

        The documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus are:

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. You should read the registration statement for further information about AbbVie and our debt securities.

        Documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available from us, without charge, excluding all exhibits unless specifically incorporated by reference in the documents. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus by writing to us at the following address or by calling us at the telephone number listed below:

AbbVie Inc.
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064
Attention: Investor Relations
(847) 932-7900
http://investors.abbvie.com

        We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you and take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of those documents.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the debt securities offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the debt securities offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement.

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., located at 100 F Street, N.E. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public over the internet from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or our website at www.abbvie.com. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus or registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and you should not rely on any such information in making your investment decision.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our debt securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 10 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement hereto before making a decision to invest in our debt securities.

        Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The market or trading price of our debt securities could decline due to any of these risks. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business and operations or cause the price of our debt securities to decline. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        Except as may be described otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities under this prospectus for future acquisitions, stock repurchases, the repayment of indebtedness, capital expenditures, dividends, working capital, and any other general corporate purpose.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The table below sets forth AbbVie's historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. We have not presented a ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends because we did not have preferred stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. The following table should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. For further information, see Exhibit 12.1 (Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges) to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 
  6-Months
Ended June 30,
  Fiscal Year  
 
  2018   2017   2016   2015   2014   2013  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    8.2     7.3     7.4     8.0     6.0     16.6  

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The following description, together with the additional information that may be included in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that AbbVie may offer under this prospectus. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that AbbVie may offer, the particular terms of any debt securities will be described in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

        AbbVie may issue debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, which we refer to as "debt securities," from time to time in one or more distinct series. The debt securities may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities.

        The debt securities will be governed by an indenture, dated as of November 8, 2012 (the "indenture"), between AbbVie and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The trustee under the indenture has two main roles:

        The specific terms of debt securities being offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of your debt securities as described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between the applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements we make in this section may not apply to your debt security.

        The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement regarding provisions of debt securities and the indenture are summaries of those provisions, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the debt securities and the indenture (including any amendments or supplements AbbVie may enter into from time to time which are permitted under the debt securities or the indenture). You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture and any related documents before making your investment decision.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the debt securities or any series thereof, including, if applicable:

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        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that provides that AbbVie may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series under the indenture, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the applicable indenture is unlimited.

        The indenture contains certain restrictive covenants that will apply to AbbVie and its subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell debt securities to or through underwriters and also directly to other purchasers or through agents.

        The distribution of the debt securities offered under this prospectus may occur from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

        In connection with the sale of debt securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of debt securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions.

        Underwriters may sell debt securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from the underwriters, and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers, and agents that participate in the distribution of debt securities offered under this prospectus may be "underwriters," as defined in the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents will be identified and their compensation (including underwriting discount) will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also describe the other terms of the offering, including any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which the offered securities may be listed.

        We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers, and agents to indemnify them against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers, or agents may be required to make as a result of those liabilities.

        If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase debt securities from us pursuant to contracts that provide for payment and delivery on a future date. We must approve all institutions, but they may include, among others:

        An institutional purchaser's obligation under the contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the offered debt securities at the time of delivery is allowed by the laws that govern such purchaser. The dealers and the agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of the contracts.

        In general, the debt securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom debt securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in the debt securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The debt securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.

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        In connection with any offering of the debt securities offered under this prospectus, underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the debt securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on the debt securities. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by underwriters of a greater number of debt securities than the underwriters are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the debt securities while the offering is in progress.

        Underwriters may also impose a penalty bid in any offering of debt securities offered under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement through a syndicate of underwriters. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the other underwriters have repurchased debt securities sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

        These activities by underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the debt securities offered under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. As a result, the price of such debt securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, legal matters in connection with the debt securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, New York, New York, and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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EXPERTS

        Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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LOGO

$1,250,000,000 3.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021
$1,250,000,000 3.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023
$1,750,000,000 4.250% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2028
$1,750,000,000 4.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2048

Joint Book-Running Managers

BofA Merrill Lynch
J.P. Morgan
Morgan Stanley
BNP PARIBAS

Barclays
(2028 Notes)
Citigroup
(2021 Notes)
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
(2023 Notes)
HSBC
(2048 Notes)

Co-Managers
Barclays
(2021 Notes, 2023 Notes, 2048 Notes)
Citigroup
(2023 Notes, 2028 Notes, 2048 Notes)
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
(2021 Notes, 2028 Notes, 2048 Notes)
HSBC
(2021 Notes, 2023 Notes, 2028 Notes)
Credit Suisse
Deutsche Bank Securities
Mizuho Securities
MUFG
RBC Capital Markets
Santander
SOCIETE GENERALE
Wells Fargo Securities
DNB Markets
Lloyds Securities
The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

September 13, 2018