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Indications

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone. Read more

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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT ENBREL

  • Insurance and Medicare

    • Will my insurance cover ENBREL?

      Many insurance plans cover ENBREL. Your actual cost may vary depending on your dose, insurance coverage, and eligibility for support programs. Talk to your insurance provider for specific information about your prescription coverage.

      Read more about paying for ENBREL.

    • Does Medicare cover ENBREL?

      If you have Medicare, you can sign up for a plan that can help cover the cost of ENBREL. Our Amgen SupportPlus Representatives can help patients understand their Medicare coverage. Amgen SupportPlus Representatives are available 8 AM–8 PM ET, 5 days a week (Monday through Friday). Just call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735).

      Read more about Medicare.

    • Does Medicaid cover ENBREL?

      Medicaid coverage varies by state and provider. Talk to your Medicaid provider for specific information about your prescription coverage.

    • My insurance provider requires prior authorization for ENBREL. How do I complete this process?

      Your healthcare provider (e.g., your rheumatologist or doctor’s office) should work with your insurance company to complete prior authorization.

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  • Dosing

    • What’s the typical ENBREL dosage for adults?

      Your doctor will recommend the best dose and dosing schedule for you. Always follow their instructions. But in general, the recommended dosage of ENBREL is as follows:

      CONDITION

      RECOMMENDED DOSING

      Adult patients with moderate to severe RA, PsA, or AS

      50 mg, once weekly

      Adult patients with moderate to severe PsO

      For the first 3 months: 50 mg, twice weekly
      After the first 3 months: 50 mg, once weekly

    • What’s the typical ENBREL dosage for children?

      Your doctor will recommend the best dose and dosing schedule for your child. Always follow their instructions. But in general, the recommended dosage of ENBREL is based on weight, as follows:

      CONDITION

      RECOMMENDED DOSING

      Pediatric patients (ages 2 years and older) with moderate to severe JIA

      For patients weighing 138 lb (63 kg) or more: 50 mg, once weekly
      For patients weighing less than 138 lb (63 kg):
      0.8 mg per kg, once weekly—with a maximum dose of 50 mg per week

      Pediatric patients (ages 4 years and older) with moderate to severe PsO

      For patients weighing 138 lb (63 kg) or more: 50 mg, once weekly
      For patients weighing less than 138 lb (63 kg):
      0.8 mg per kg, once weekly—with a maximum dose of 50 mg per week

    • I missed a dose. What should I do?

      Call your doctor to find out when you should take your next dose. It’s important to take ENBREL as scheduled.

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  • Injecting ENBREL

    • How do I inject ENBREL?

      Your doctor or nurse will train you on how to inject ENBREL. Remember to thoroughly review the Instructions for Use for any device that comes with your ENBREL medication you plan to use before injecting with ENBREL. Those instructions cover everything you need to know about how to use ENBREL. You can also watch the injection demo videos on our Getting Started with ENBREL page to supplement the information you get from your doctor or nurse.

      For one-on-one supplemental injection support, Amgen Nurse Partners* can help you get more comfortable injecting on your own. They offer support when it’s most convenient for you: via video chat or over the phone. To enroll in the Amgen® Nurse Partner program, call 1-888-4ENBREL
      (1-888-436-2735), 8 AM–8 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

      *Amgen Nurse Partners are only available to patients that are prescribed certain Amgen products. They are not part of your treatment team and do not provide medical advice, nursing, or case management services. Amgen Nurse Partners will not inject patients with Amgen medications. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider regarding medical decisions or treatment concerns.

    • Where on the body do I inject ENBREL?

      You can inject ENBREL on the front of the middle thigh, or on your stomach (except for the 2-inch area around your belly button). If someone else is giving you the injection, they can do so on the outer area of your upper arm. Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection. If you need to use the same injection site, just make sure it is not on the same spot that you used last time. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. Avoid injecting into areas with scars or stretch marks.

      Want a refresher? Watch a demo video on our Getting Started with ENBREL page.

      Skin reactions around the injection area, such as redness, pain, swelling, itching, or bruising have happened. On average, these symptoms go away within 3 to 5 days. If you have any of these reactions and they don’t go away or they get worse, call your doctor.

    • Can I let ENBREL warm up before injecting?

      Injecting cold ENBREL can be uncomfortable. To help make it more comfortable, take ENBREL out of the fridge and wait for it to reach room temperature (which should take at least 30 minutes before injecting). Do not remove the white cap from the ENBREL SureClick® autoinjector until you are ready to inject. Do not warm it in a microwave or in hot water, and do not remove the needle cover while you wait. Keep these guidelines in mind:

      • In general, store ENBREL in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
      • You may store the ENBREL syringe, SureClick® autoinjector, ENBREL Mini® single-dose prefilled cartridge, ENBREL single-dose vial, or the dose tray for the multi‐use vial at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C) for up to 30 days
      • Once ENBREL has reached room temperature, do not put it back in the refrigerator
      • Throw away ENBREL that has been stored at room temperature after 30 days

      For more on how to store your ENBREL at room temperature, click here.

    • What if my skin around the ENBREL injection site gets red and itchy?

      Sometimes this can happen. Some common ENBREL injection site reactions include redness, pain, swelling, itching, or bruising. However, these symptoms tend to go away within 3 to 5 days. If they don’t go away
      (or if they get worse), call your doctor.

    • What should I do if the needle is bent, or the injection device is damaged?

      If a needle or an injection device is damaged in any way, don’t try to use it or fix it. Don’t throw it away either. Call 1-888-4ENBREL
      (1-888-436-2735), 8 AM–8 PM ET, Monday through Friday, and we will help you.

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  • Disposal after injecting

    • What should I do with my needles, syringes, vials, SureClick® autoinjectors, or ENBREL Mini® single-dose prefilled cartridges after injecting?

      Right after injecting, discard your needle, syringe, vials, SureClick® autoinjector, or ENBREL Mini® single-dose prefilled cartridge in a puncture-resistant sharps disposal container. You can buy one at your local pharmacy. Do not recap or reuse any of the items listed above.

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  • Side effects

    • What are the most common side effects of ENBREL?

      The most common side effects of ENBREL are infections (like the common cold, sinusitis, and the flu) and injection site reactions. Injection site reactions have occurred, such as redness, itching, pain, swelling, bleeding, or bruising. These symptoms usually go away within 3 to 5 days. If you have pain, redness, or swelling around the injection site that does not go away or gets worse, call your healthcare provider.

      Learn more about the possible side effects.

    • What should I do if I get a fever or infection while taking ENBREL?

      If you get an infection, especially one with a fever, you need to contact your doctor right away.

      Learn more about the possible side effects.

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  • Vaccines and flu shots

    • Can I get vaccines and flu shots while taking ENBREL?

      Your vaccinations should be brought up to date before starting ENBREL. While you are taking ENBREL, you may be able to get some vaccines, including certain types of flu shots. You should not receive any live vaccines while taking ENBREL. Talk to your doctor before receiving vaccines, including flu shots if you are taking ENBREL.

    COLLAPSE

  • Storage

    • How should I store ENBREL?

      ENBREL should be kept cool—between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C; the standard temperature range of most refrigerators). However, ENBREL can also be stored at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C) for up to 30 days. Once ENBREL has reached room temperature, do not put it back in the refrigerator. Throw away ENBREL that has been stored at room temperature after 30 days.

      Learn more about storage and travel.

    • Can I still use ENBREL if I take it out of the fridge but don’t use it right away?

      ENBREL can stay at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C) for up to 30 days. However, once it reaches room temperature, you cannot put it back in the fridge. Throw away ENBREL that has been stored at room temperature for more than 30 days.

      Learn more about storage and travel.

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  • Travel

    • Can I fly with my ENBREL needles, syringes, or injection devices?

      Check with your airline before you travel. They can tell you whether you can carry needles, syringes, or injection devices onto the plane. It is also a good idea to carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s note to show airport security. Notify the screener if you are carrying a sharps disposal container in your carry-on baggage.

      Learn more about storage and travel.

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  • Pregnancy and nursing

    • Can I take ENBREL if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant?

      Before starting ENBREL, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. ENBREL should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

    • Can I take ENBREL if I’m nursing?

      Nursing mothers should know that ENBREL can pass into breast milk and may harm nursing infants. Work with your doctor to decide whether you will take ENBREL or breastfeed. You should not do both.

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  • Surgery

    • Do I need to stop taking ENBREL if I’m having surgery?

      Sometimes surgery increases your chances of getting an infection. Because ENBREL can also increase your risk of getting an infection, your doctor may want you to stop taking ENBREL for a while before and after your operation.

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  • Natural rubber or latex allergies

    • Is there natural rubber or latex in the SureClick® autoinjector, ENBREL Mini® single-dose prefilled cartridge, prefilled syringe, or single‑dose vial?

      Yes. If you are sensitive to latex, do not handle the SureClick® autoinjector, ENBREL Mini® single-dose prefilled cartridge, or the prefilled syringe. The needle cover of the prefilled syringe, needle cover within the white cap of the SureClick® autoinjector, and needle cover within the purple cap of the ENBREL Mini® single-dose prefilled cartridge are made of dry natural rubber (which comes from latex). Talk to your doctor about the best injection method for you.

    COLLAPSE

  • ENBREL and methotrexate

    • Can ENBREL be taken with methotrexate?

      In moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, ENBREL can be taken with or without methotrexate to help reduce joint pain and help stop additional joint damage.

      In medical studies of patients with moderate to severe RA, ENBREL was proven to help reduce joint pain and stop further joint damage better than methotrexate alone. And people taking ENBREL for 6 months had less joint pain and damage than people who only took methotrexate. Your results may vary. Ask your doctor if ENBREL and methotrexate could work for you.

    COLLAPSE

Prescription Enbrel® (etanercept) is taken (given) by injection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about ENBREL?

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 healthcare provider 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, some resulting in death, 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 may be more likely to get lymphoma.

Before starting ENBREL, tell your healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider
  • 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 and upper respiratory infections (sinus infections).

In general, side effects in children were similar in frequency and type as those seen in adult patients. The types of infections reported were generally mild and similar to those usually seen in children.

These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider. 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.

INDICATIONS

Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.

Psoriatic Arthritis

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used with or without methotrexate.

Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

ENBREL is indicated for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years and older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light).

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.

Moderately to Severely Active Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older.

Prescription Enbrel® (etanercept) is taken (given) by injection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about ENBREL?

ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections.