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Enbrel (etanercept) is a biologic medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating moderate to severe psoriasis in adults and children 4 years and older.
These insights are based on 444 comments about Enbrel from MyPsoriasisTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of members and are not meant to be medical advice.
Enbrel works by binding to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a protein that causes inflammation in psoriasis. By blocking TNF, Enbrel helps reduce the rapid skin cell growth that creates psoriasis plaques.
Doctors prescribe Enbrel when psoriasis significantly impacts quality of life and hasn’t responded to other treatments. The medication is given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection.
Enbrel comes in prefilled syringes and autoinjectors. Your healthcare provider will teach you proper injection technique and help you choose the best delivery method.
These insights are based on 444 comments about Enbrel from MyPsoriasisTeam members.Members of MyPsoriasisTeam share insights about Enbrel, though experiences with this medication vary widely. Members discuss broader experiences that may help others prepare for treatment, such as understanding how long Enbrel will take to work and how to track one’s symptoms.
Connect with others who understand life with psoriasis. Join MyPsoriasisTeam for free.
The FDA lists the most common adverse reactions for Enbrel as infections and injection site reactions. However, in clinical trials studying Enbrel for plaque psoriasis, 27 percent of people taking Enbrel had some type of infection compared to 28 percent taking placebo (an inactive treatment).
On the other hand, injection site reactions affected 15 percent of people with psoriasis using Enbrel in contrast to only 6 percent of those on placebo. These reactions typically include:
Most injection site reactions resolve within three to five days.
Serious side effects require immediate medical attention. Enbrel carries a boxed warning about increased risk of serious infections that may lead to hospitalization. These include:
During the Enbrel psoriasis studies, some participants developed a type of blood cancer called lymphoma, but this happened at about the same rate as in people not taking Enbrel. Nonmelanoma skin cancers like basal cell and squamous cell cancer were seen more often in people taking Enbrel than those on a placebo. Because of this, doctors recommend regular skin checks while taking Enbrel — especially if you’ve had skin cancer before.
Other serious risks include:
Always tell your doctor if you notice new or worse symptoms, especially bruising easily, feeling weak or dizzy, yellowing skin, or having trouble with movement or vision.
Enbrel can be expensive without insurance coverage. Amgen, the drug’s manufacturer, offers an Enbrel support program with financial assistance for eligible people with health insurance. You may qualify for copay assistance that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs to as little as $0.
People without insurance may qualify for the Amgen Safety Net Foundation. This program provides Enbrel at no cost to qualifying individuals.
Call 888-4ENBREL or visit the official website to learn about savings programs. You can also ask your doctor about other types of patient assistance programs.
Before starting Enbrel, your doctor will test you for tuberculosis (TB). This is important because Enbrel can cause TB to become active again if it’s already in your body.
Tell your doctor about your full health history before using Enbrel. Be sure to discuss:
You should also avoid live vaccines while taking Enbrel, because they may not work as well or could make you sick.
Enbrel is not recommended for people with sepsis, which is a serious blood infection that affects the whole body.
Enbrel is also FDA-approved to treat other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular schedule. Don’t take two doses at once.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. There is limited information about how safe Enbrel is during pregnancy.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Enbrel for treating psoriasis symptoms?
In clinical studies, 47 percent of people receiving Enbrel for plaque psoriasis saw 75 percent improvement in psoriasis symptoms after 12 weeks, compared to 4 percent with placebo.
What are the most common side effects of Enbrel treatment?
Infections and injection site reactions are the most common adverse reactions, each occurring in more than 15 percent of people in clinical trials for psoriasis.
Does Enbrel increase cancer risk?
In psoriasis studies, lymphoma was very rare and appeared at rates similar to the general population. But skin cancers — including melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers — were seen more often, so doctors recommend routine skin exams.
On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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