Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
This content is from our sponsor. The sponsor has sole editorial control.

For Adults with Chronic Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis Who Are Candidates for Systemic or Phototherapy.

Safety Information and Side Effects of ENBREL

Common Side Effects of Enbrel® (etanercept)

  • The most common side effects of ENBREL are infections and injection site reactions.
  • Infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria have happened in patients taking ENBREL and include the common cold, sinusitis, and the flu.
  • Injection site reactions are mild to moderate (redness, itching, pain, swelling, bleeding, and bruising) and usually go away within 3 to 5 days. If you have pain, redness, or swelling around the injection site that doesn’t go away or gets worse, call your doctor.

Serious Side Effects of ENBREL

  • Risk of infection. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people have serious infections while taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that spread throughout their body. Some people have died from these infections.
  • Risk of cancer.
    • There have been cases of unusual cancers in children and teenage patients who started using TNF blocking agents at less than 18 years of age.
    • For children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blocker medicines, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase.
    • People with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, especially those with very active disease, may be more likely to get lymphoma.
  • Hepatitis B infection in people who carry the virus in their blood. If you are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (a virus that affects the liver), the virus can become active while you use ENBREL.
  • Nervous system problems. Rarely, people who use TNF blocker medicines have developed nervous system problems such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes.
  • Blood problems. Low blood counts have been seen with other TNF blocker medicines. Your body may not make enough of the blood cells that help fight infections or help stop bleeding. Symptoms include fever, bruising or bleeding very easily, or looking pale.
  • Heart failure including new heart failure or worsening of heart failure you already have. New or worsening heart failure can happen in people who use TNF blocker medicines, like ENBREL.
  • Psoriasis. Some people using ENBREL developed new psoriasis or worsening of psoriasis they already had.
  • Allergic reactions. Serious allergic reactions can happen to people who use TNF blocker medicines.
  • Autoimmune reactions, including:
    • Lupus-like syndrome. Symptoms include a rash on your face and arms that gets worse in the sun.
    • Autoimmune hepatitis. Liver problems can happen in people who use TNF blocker medicines, including ENBREL. These problems can lead to liver failure and death.

Contact your doctor right away if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms or for medical advice about side effects.

These are not all the side effects associated with ENBREL. Please see Prescribing Information, Important Safety Information, and Medication Guide for complete details about ENBREL.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch , or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

"I mentioned ENBREL to my doctor, and he agreed that it was a good choice for me." Jack S., ENBREL user since 2004. Your results may vary.

Want more information?

Sign up today to receive information about ENBREL.

ENROLL NOW

Prescription ENBREL is given by injection

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about Enbrel® (etanercept)?

ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your doctor should test you for TB before you take ENBREL and monitor you closely for TB before, during, and after ENBREL treatment, even if you have tested negative for TB.

There have been some cases of unusual cancers reported in children and teenage patients who started using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers before 18 years of age. Also, for children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blockers, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Patients with RA or psoriasis may be more likely to get lymphoma.

Before starting ENBREL, tell your doctor if you:

  • Have any existing medical conditions
  • Are taking any medicines, including herbals
  • Think you have, are being treated for, have signs of, or are prone to infection. You should not start taking ENBREL if you have any kind of infection, unless your doctor says it is okay
  • Have any open cuts or sores
  • Have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system
  • Have TB or have been in close contact with someone who has had TB
  • Were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk for getting TB. Ask your doctor if you are not sure
  • Live, have lived in, or traveled to certain parts of the country (such as, the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, or the Southwest) where there is a greater risk for certain kinds of fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis. These infections may develop or become more severe if you take ENBREL. If you don't know if these infections are common in the areas you've been to, ask your doctor
  • Have or have had hepatitis B
  • Have or have had heart failure
  • Develop symptoms such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness while taking ENBREL
  • Use the medicine Kineret® (anakinra), Orencia® (abatacept), or Cytoxan® (cyclophosphamide)
  • Are taking anti-diabetic medicines
  • Have, have had, or develop a serious nervous disorder, seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Are scheduled to have surgery
  • Have recently received or are scheduled for any vaccines. All vaccines should be brought up-to-date before starting ENBREL. Patients taking ENBREL should not receive live vaccines.
  • Are allergic to rubber or latex
  • Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • Have been around someone with chicken pox

What are the possible side effects of ENBREL?

ENBREL can cause serious side effects including: New infections or worsening of infections you already have; hepatitis B can become active if you already have had it; nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; blood problems (some fatal); new or worsening heart failure; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; autoimmune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis.

Common side effects include: Injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections (sinus infections), and headache.

These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

INDICATION

Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

ENBREL is indicated for the treatment of adult patients (18 years or older) with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Supportive data

Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

  • In medical studies, nearly half of patients saw 75% skin clearance in 3 months. Overall, 3 out of 4 patients saw 50% skin clearance in 3 months.
Next Article:

©2013 Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 and Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. 63059-R4-V1

Manufactured by Immunex Corporation, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Marketed by Amgen Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Safety Considerations

Safety information about Enbrel® (etanercept)

Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Patients treated with ENBREL also may be at risk for other serious side effects including nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; rare reports of serious blood problems (some fatal); heart failure, including new heart failure or worsening of heart failure you already have; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; immune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome, lymphoma (a type of cancer) and other cancers. Call your doctor right away if you develop any of these. To see the full ENBREL Safety Information, click here.

Get a Closer Look at how ENBREL Works

Watch this short video, in which Dr. Craig Leonardi explains how plaque psoriasis is a disease of the immune system and describes how ENBREL works. See how ENBREL targets the immune system to reduce the overproduction of skin cells to help you get clearer skin.

play