how does this medication work? what will it do for me?
etanercept belongs to the class of medications called biological response modifiers ("biologics") or tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (tnf blockers). it is used to treat active ankylosing spondylitis and moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
people with these conditions produce extra amounts of proteins called tumour necrosis factor (tnf), causing pain, inflammation, and damage. etanercept works by blocking the production of tnf and reducing inflammation in the joints. the benefits of using this medication may be seen as early as one week after the start of treatment in adults, with the full effect usually achieved by 3 months.
this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
what form(s) does this medication come in?
single-use pre-filled syringes
each single-use pre-filled syringe contains 0.98 ml (minimum deliverable volume of 0.94 ml) of a 50 mg/ml clear and colourless, sterile solution of etanercept, formulated at ph 6.2±0.3. there may be small white particles of protein in the solution. nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, and sucrose. preservative-free.
cartons of 4 single-dose pre-filled syringes with a 27-gauge, ½-inch needle.
single-use pre-filled autoinjector
each single-use pre-filled autoinjector contains 0.98 ml (minimum deliverable volume of 0.94 ml) of a 50 mg/ml clear and colourless, sterile solution of etanercept, formulated at ph 6.2±0.3. there may be small white particles of protein in the solution. nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, and sucrose. preservative-free.
cartons of 4 single-dose autoinjectors with a 27-gauge, ½-inch needle.
how should i use this medication?
the recommended dose of etanercept is 50 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin), once a week. it is usually injected in the front of the thigh or abdomen.
many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
it is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose of this medication, contact your doctor to find out when to take the next dose. do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one.
etanercept is used with the guidance and supervision of a doctor. your doctor or nurse will help you with preparing and injecting your first dose (or first few doses). do not attempt to prepare or inject this medication on your own until you completely understand how to mix and inject a dose. if you are having difficulty giving yourself injections, talk to your health care provider.
single-use pre-filled syringes and autoinjectors should be stored in the refrigerator at 2°c to 8°c, protected from light, and kept out of the reach of children. do not freeze or shake. remove the medication from the refrigerator 30 minutes before administering the injection. this will allow it to warm to room temperature before injecting. this medication may be also stored at room temperature for up to 60 days.
do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
who should not take this medication?
do not use etanercept if you:
- are allergic to etanercept or any ingredients of the medication
- have or are at risk of sepsis syndrome (an infection that spreads through your body), for example if you have a weakened immune system (e.g., are receiving chemotherapy) or hiv
what side effects are possible with this medication?
many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- headache
- pain, itching, redness, or swelling at the site of injection
although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- upper respiratory infections (such as colds, sore throats, or sinus infections)
stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- seizures
- signs of an allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face or throat)
- symptoms of a severe infection (such as fever, shaking or chills, fast heartbeat, quick breathing, confusion, or skin rash)
some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.
allergic reactions: in rare cases, some people may develop an allergic reaction to this medication. signs of an allergic reaction include a severe rash, hives, swollen face or throat, or difficulty breathing. if these occur, contact your doctor immediately.
anemia: etanercept may cause low levels of red blood cells. if you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired, or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
bleeding: etanercept can cause a reduced number of platelets in the blood, which can make it difficult to stop cuts from bleeding. if you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or black and tarry stools, or blood or material that looks like coffee grounds in vomit, notify your doctor as soon as possible. your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.
cancer: very rarely, people taking etanercept and similar medications have developed leukemia or lymphoma, types of blood cancer. in general, people with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis who take medications that suppress the immune system over long periods of time may have a higher risk of developing lymphoma, even if they don't take etanercept. avoid using this medication in combination with cyclophosphamide. this combination may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
there may be a slightly increased risk of developing melanoma (a type of skin cancer). report any unusual growths on your skin to your doctor as soon as possible. your doctor will monitor you for skin cancer while you are taking this medication. talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
diabetes: etanercept may cause a decrease in blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance may change. people with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using this medication.
if you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
heart failure: etanercept may worsen congestive heart failure. if you have heart failure, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication. symptoms to watch for include swelling of the feet and ankles and shortness of breath. if you notice these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
hepatitis b: people infected with hepatitis b virus (an infection that can damage the liver) may have a relapse of their condition while taking this medication. if you are at risk for hepatitis b, your doctor may test you for this infection before starting treatment with etanercept and will follow your condition closely while you are taking the medication. if you notice symptoms of liver problems, such as abdominal pain, yellow eyes or skin, loss of appetite, fatigue, or dark urine, contact your doctor immediately.
infections: this medication can increase the risk of developing an infection, including serious infections such as sepsis, chickenpox, fungal infections, and tuberculosis. before starting etanercept treatment, your doctor may test to see if you have tuberculosis. if you notice signs of an infection such as fever, chills, pain, swelling, coughing, or pus, contact your doctor as soon as possible. this medication should also not be started while you have an active infection. this medication should not be used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, as these medications can increase the risk of severe infection.
tell your doctor if you have a history of infections that keep coming back, or other conditions that might increase your risk of infections (e.g., diabetes) or have visited or lived in areas where there is a greater risk of certain kinds of fungal infection (e.g., blastomycosis). while you are taking etanercept, your doctor will monitor you for signs of infection.
nervous system: this medication may cause or worsen nervous system disorders. if you have a history of nervous system disorders, such as seizure disorders or multiple sclerosis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
if you experience numbness or tingling, weakness in your arms or legs, dizziness, or vision changes while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
vaccines: vaccines (e.g., yellow fever, bcg, cholera, typhoid, varicella, meningococcal, diphtheria) should not be given while you are taking etanercept. children with jia should complete the recommended vaccination schedule before receiving their first dose of etanercept.
pregnancy: etanercept crosses the placenta and may affect the developing baby if it is used by the mother during pregnancy. for this reason, this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
breast-feeding: this medication passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking etanercept, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
children: the safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children and adolescents.
seniors: it is likely that seniors will experience more side effects, particularly infections. report any unusual effects or more frequent infections to your doctor as soon as possible.
what other drugs could interact with this medication?
there may be an interaction between etanercept and any of the following:
- abatacept
- anakinra
- azathioprine
- bacillus calmette-guérin (bcg)
- belimumab
- canakinumab
- certolizumab pegol
- cyclophosphamide
- denosumab
- echinacea
- fingolimod
- infliximab
- leflunomide
- mercaptopurine
- nivolumab
- natalizumab
- ocrelizumab
- pimecrolimus
- roflumilast
- sulfasalazine
- tacrolimus
- thioguanine
- tocilizumab
- tofacitinib
- trastuzumab
- vaccines (e.g., yellow fever, bcg, cholera, typhoid, varicella, meningococcal, diphtheria)
- vedolizumab
if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/brenzys