Dosing & Injection
- I have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and my doctor has reduced my dose of ENBREL. What should I expect?
As you may know, plaque psoriasis symptoms vary in severity over time. But even if your skin is looking clearer, it's important to take ENBREL as prescribed by your doctor.
After 3 months, you may be prescribed a reduced dose of 50 mg once a week. Most patients maintained or improved their level of response after beginning the reduced dose. Some patients improved after beginning the reduced dose.
- How often do I need to take ENBREL?
Your doctor will tell you how often you should use ENBREL. Typically, for the first 3 months of treatment, adult patients with
moderate to severe plaque posriasis are given 50 mg twice a week (3 or 4 days apart).
After 3 months, a reduced dose of 50 mg is given once per week. Some patients may
experience symptoms of plaque psoriasis such as flare-ups when beginning the reduced
dose. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
The recommended dose of ENBREL for adult patients with psoriatic arthritis is
50 mg per week. Fifty mg can be given as one subcutaneous injection (an injection
beneath the skin) using either a 50-mg/mL Enbrel® SureClick® autoinjector
or 50-mg/mL single-use prefilled syringe. A 50-mg dose can also be given as two
25-mg subcutaneous injections using 25-mg/0.5 mL single-use prefilled syringes
or free-hand vials.
- Where on the body should ENBREL be injected?
On the front of the middle thighs or on the stomach, except for the 2-inch area around the belly button. These areas usually have enough tissue for the injection and are easy to reach. If a parent or caregiver is giving the injection, the outer area of the upper arms is another option.
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 plaque psoriasis, you should try not to inject directly into any raised, thick, red, or scaly skin patches or lesions.
View injection demonstrations.
- Sometimes the skin around the injection site becomes red and itchy. Is this normal?
Yes, sometimes this can happen. In some medical studies, some
patients experienced mild to moderate injection site reactions, usually within the first month.
Most reactions healed and patients could keep taking ENBREL. If you have any concerns, talk to
your doctor.
Read more about potential side effects.
- After mixing the liquid and the powder, the solution appeared cloudy. Does this matter?
It's important to make sure the solution is clear before injecting. Before mixing, the powder should be white. After you add the liquid (diluent), the powder usually dissolves in about 10 minutes. The mixed solution should be clear and colorless. (A small amount of foam or bubbles may be present; this is normal.) Do not inject the solution if it is discolored, or if it contains lumps, flakes, or particles. If all the powder in the ENBREL vial is not dissolved or there are particles present after 10 minutes, call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735) for help.
- Do you have any tips for making injecting less painful?
Yes. Here are some tips to help make injections less painful:
- If you are using either the prefilled syringe or the free-hand method, ensure that no liquid is on the needle or needle tip by avoiding pushing the plunger before injecting ENBREL
- Allow ENBREL to reach room temperature prior to injection (usually 15-30 minutes)
- Rotate injection sites (common injection sites include abdomen, front of thighs, and upper arms)
- Use an alcohol swab to prepare the injection site
Learn more about injecting ENBREL.
- What should I do with my needles, syringes, or autoinjectors after I inject?
You don't want to throw used needles or syringes into a regular garbage can or recycling bin. Immediately after each injection, you should discard them in a puncture-resistant container, often called Sharps containers, specifically designed for their disposal. These safe containers can be purchased at your local pharmacy or are available through ENBREL Support™. NEVER recap or reuse a needle, syringe, or an autoinjector. Keep all materials and Sharps containers out of the reach of children.
Order a Sharps container
- What should I do with my needle disposal container once it's full?
Once you've filled your Sharps container with used needles, syringes, or autoinjectors, you need to throw it out using the directions from your health care professional. For public safety reasons, containers generally require special disposal. State and local laws for disposing of needles vary from town to town. For information in your area, call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735).
Important: Do not recycle the Sharps container. Never put your Sharps container in the trash with other plastic recyclables (unless your local laws permit this). Never empty the contents of your Sharps container in order to reuse it.
- Can I still use ENBREL if I take it out of the refrigerator but don't use it right away?
It depends. ENBREL can remain unrefrigerated for short periods of time.
However, ENBREL should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
If you have any questions about storing and using ENBREL, call us toll-free at 1-888-4ENBREL
(1-888-436-2735).
Learn more about traveling with and storing ENBREL.
- What should I do if I bend or damage a needle or autoinjector?
If a needle or an autoinjector is damaged in any way, don't try to fix it or use it. Throw it out in your Sharps container. If a syringe or an autoinjector is damaged, call 1-888-4ENBREL and we will help you.
Remember to review the proper techniques for preparing ENBREL that come in each carton of ENBREL.
- How should I travel with ENBREL?
Traveling with ENBREL can be easy. You just need to be prepared.
Here's what you should do if you are going to travel with ENBREL for more than a few hours: Keep
it in its original packaging, wrap it in bubble wrap, and place it in your travel cooler provided
by ENBREL Support™. Then, pack it with ice. Put a thermometer in the cooler and check it
every few hours. Add ice as necessary to keep the temperature at 36°F to 46°F
(2°C to 8°C). Some hotels may have small refrigerators. Check with the hotel before your
arrival. If you're traveling by air, please call the airline ahead of time. You can call
1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735) to get a free ENBREL travel pack.
Learn more about traveling with and storing ENBREL.
- Can I travel by air with my ENBREL needles, syringes, or autoinjectors?
Check with your airline before you travel. They will be able to tell
you whether you may carry needles, syringes, or autoinjectors onto the airplane.
It is also a good idea to carry medical documentation to present to airport security. Notify
the screener if you are carrying a Sharps container in your carry-on baggage.
Learn more about storing and traveling with ENBREL.
- Is there any latex content in the Enbrel® (etanercept) SureClick® autoinjector or the prefilled syringes and their components?
Yes, the needle cover on the Enbrel® SureClick® autoinjector and the prefilled syringes contain dry natural rubber (derivative of latex), which should not be handled by persons sensitive to latex.