Etanercept

Pronunciation: ee-TAN-er-sept
Generic Name: Etanercept
Brand Name: Enbrel Prefilled Syringes

Patients who use Etanercept have an increased risk of developing serious and sometimes fatal infections (eg, bacterial, viral, fungal infections; tuberculosis [TB]). Most patients who developed these infections were taking medicines that weakened their immune systems (eg, corticosteroids, methotrexate).

TB may be caused by a new infection or by reactivation of a previous infection. Your doctor will test you for TB and evaluate your risk of developing it. This will occur before, during, and after treatment with Etanercept. If you have TB, you should begin to treat it before you begin treatment with Etanercept. Tell your doctor if you have a history of persistent or recurring infections.

Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of TB or any other type of infection (eg, persistent cough; muscle weakness; unexplained weight loss; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; shortness of breath; unusual tiredness; warm, red, or painful skin; sores on your body; increased or painful urination).

Etanercept is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. Lymphoma and other types of cancer have been reported in children and teenagers treated with TNF blockers. This has been fatal in some cases. Talk with your doctor for more information.

Etanercept is used for:

Treating moderate to severe forms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), juvenile arthritis, certain types of skin psoriasis, and rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Etanercept may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Etanercept is a TNF blocker. It works by blocking a protein (TNF-alpha) found in the body that causes inflammation.

Do NOT use Etanercept if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Etanercept, or to latex or rubber


• you have an infection that has spread throughout your entire body (sepsis)


• you have Wegener granulomatosis and are taking a medicine that may weaken the immune system (eg, corticosteroids, methotrexate)


• you are taking cyclophosphamide, abatacept, anakinra, or tocilizumab

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Etanercept:

Some medical conditions may interact with Etanercept. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have any kind of infection, open cuts or sores on your body, flu-like symptoms or other signs of infection (eg, fever; cough; warm, red, or painful skin), or are using medicine to treat an infection


• if you have a history of persistent or recurring infections, have conditions that may increase your risk of infection (eg, diabetes, HIV), or live in or have traveled to certain parts of the country (eg, Ohio or Mississippi river valleys) where certain fungal infections (eg, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis) are common. Check with your doctor if you are not sure if you have lived in or have traveled to an area where these infections are common


• if you have a history of TB or a positive TB skin test, if you have ever lived in or traveled to an area where TB is common, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has had TB


• if you have any numbness or tingling or a disease that affects your nervous system (eg, multiple sclerosis [MS], Guillain-Barré syndrome, seizures)


• if you have a history of congestive heart failure, lymphoma or other cancers, a blood problem (eg, anemia), bone marrow problems, an autoimmune disorder (eg, lupus), immune system problems (eg, weakened immune system), rectal bleeding, shingles (herpes zoster), or Wegener granulomatosis


• if you have a history of liver problems (eg, hepatitis B), liver problems caused by drinking alcohol (alcoholic hepatitis), or hepatitis B virus reactivation when taking Etanercept or other TNF blockers


• if you are scheduled to have surgery or any kind of vaccination, or have recently received a vaccine

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Etanercept. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), costimulation modulators (eg, abatacept), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (eg, anakinra), methotrexate, or tocilizumab because the risk of serious infections may be increased


• Cyclophosphamide because the risk of developing cancer may be increased


• Insulin or other diabetes medicines (eg, metformin) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased by Etanercept

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Etanercept may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Etanercept:

Use Etanercept as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Etanercept comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Etanercept refilled.


• Etanercept is given as an injection under the skin. If you will be using Etanercept at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Etanercept. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Wash your hands with soap and warm water before using Etanercept.


• Remove 1 prefilled syringe of Etanercept from the refrigerator. Wait 15 to 30 minutes to allow the medicine in the prefilled syringe to reach room temperature. Do NOT shake the syringe. Do NOT remove the needle cover while allowing it to reach room temperature. Do not warm Etanercept in any other way (eg, in a microwave or in hot water).


• Do not shake Etanercept.


• Do not use Etanercept if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the syringe is cracked or damaged.


• Use the proper technique taught to you by your doctor. Inject deep under the skin, NOT into muscle.


• Rotate the site for each injection. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. Avoid areas with scars or stretch marks. If you have psoriasis, try not to inject directly into any raised, red, thick, or scaly skin patches.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• Do not miss any doses of Etanercept. If you miss a dose of Etanercept, contact your doctor right away to find out when to take your next dose.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Etanercept.

Important safety information:

• Etanercept may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Etanercept with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Etanercept may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection like chest pain or discomfort; chills, fever, or sore throat; decreased mental alertness; fast heartbeat; general feeling of being unwell; new or worsening cough; rapid breathing; shortness of breath; swelling of the lymph nodes; or unusual diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting.


• Etanercept may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Etanercept may increase the risk of developing blood cancer (eg, leukemia, lymphoma) and other types of cancer. This may be fatal in some cases. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have ever had cancer. Contact your doctor right away if you develop any unusual symptoms, such as unusual bruising, unusual lumps or swelling (eg, in your neck, armpit, or groin), night sweats, recurring fever, unusual tiredness or weakness, unexplained cough or shortness of breath, persistent unexplained itching, or unexplained weight loss.


• A rare type of cancer called HSTCL has been reported in patients using TNF blockers. These cases have been fatal. Most of these cases occurred in teenagers or young adults. Most of these patients had Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis. Patients who developed this cancer were usually using Etanercept along with certain other medicines (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine). Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any type of cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you develop stomach pain or tenderness, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.


• New or worsening nervous system disorders (eg, MS, Guillain-Barré syndrome, seizures) have occurred in patients who take Etanercept. Tell your doctor if you have a disease that affects your nervous system. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Some patients who use Etanercept have developed new or worsening psoriasis. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any new or worsening skin problems (eg, red, flaky, or itchy skin patches).


• If you have not had chickenpox, shingles, or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does. Contact your doctor if you come into contact with these infections.


• Before you use Etanercept, discuss your vaccination history with your doctor to be sure that you are up to date on vaccinations.


• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Etanercept. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.


• It may take several weeks for Etanercept to work. Do not stop using Etanercept without checking with your doctor.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Etanercept before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• If you develop any symptoms of TB (eg, a dry cough that does not go away, fever, night sweats, weight loss), call your doctor. You will need to be examined for TB and have a skin test.


• Diabetes patients - Etanercept may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Etanercept may interfere with certain lab tests, including tests for TB infection. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Etanercept.


• Use Etanercept with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially the risk of developing infections.


• Caution is advised when using Etanercept in CHILDREN; they may be at increased risk of developing certain types of cancer with Etanercept, which may be fatal.


• Etanercept should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old or in children with plaque psoriasis if they are younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Etanercept while you are pregnant. It is not known if Etanercept is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Etanercept.

Possible side effects of Etanercept:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; headache; mild pain, redness, itching, bruising, or swelling around the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blood in the urine or stools; burning, numbness, or tingling; butterfly rash (rash on your nose and cheeks); change in the appearance of a mole; chest pain or discomfort; decreased mental alertness; fast heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; general feeling of being unwell; increased or painful urination; mental or mood changes; new or worsening cough; open sore that does not heal; rapid breathing; rash on your face and arms that gets worse in the sun; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; shortness of breath; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swelling of the arms or legs; swelling of the lymph nodes; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual lumps; unusual nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea; unusual skin growth or other skin changes; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; vision problems; weakness in the arms or legs.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Etanercept side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Etanercept:

Store Etanercept in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Keep the prefilled syringes in the original carton to protect them from light until the time of use. Keep Etanercept out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Etanercept, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Etanercept is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Etanercept. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Etanercept resources

• Etanercept Side Effects (in more detail)
• Etanercept Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Etanercept Drug Interactions
• Etanercept Support Group
• 76 Reviews for Etanercept - Add your own review/rating

Compare Etanercept with other medications

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Behcet's Disease
• Bullous Pemphigoid
• Cogan's Syndrome
• Histiocytosis
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Macrophage Activation Syndrome
• Pemphigoid
• Pemphigus
• Psoriasis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• SAPHO Syndrome
• Still's Disease
• Uveitis
• Wegener's Granulomatosus