Etanercept is used to treat inflammation of the joints and spine.
This medicine is also used to treat psoriasis (a type of skin disease that is caused by itchy patches of thick, red skin and silvery scales).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Etanercept is given subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the abdomen or thighs).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you. Do not administer this medicine by yourself unless instructed with proper injection technique by your doctor.
This medicine must be administered regularly for it to be effective. Continue using Etanercept even when you feel better. Do not stop using it unless instructed by the doctor.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any dose. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Etanercept.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use Etanercept if you have an infection or if you are at risk of developing a serious blood infection (also known as “sepsis”) as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- tuberculosis (lung infection)
- history of hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection
- damaged nerve fibres in your brain or spinal cord
- heart failure
- kidney disease
- cancer
- alcohol abuse
- diabetes
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. He may need to do routine blood tests (e.g. complete blood count ,liver function test) while you are being treated with this medicine. Before, during or after treatment, your doctor may need to screen you for any signs or symptoms of infections such as hepatitis B virus or tuberculosis.
Etanercept may make you feel dizzy. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, skin rash, stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, indigestion, weakness, sore throat, cough, inflamed sinuses, stuffy or runny nose and pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs of infection e.g. fever, chills, rapid breathing
- unusual bleeding or bruising, pale skin
- signs of cancer e.g. weight loss, abdominal pain, persistent fever, night sweats, broken or damaged skin that does not heal
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, throat, hands, or feet
- lupus-like syndrome e.g. fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are using or taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis e.g. abatacept, anakinra, sulfasalazine
- medicines used to treat cancer e.g. cyclophosphamide
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Etanercept.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Store in a refrigerator (2ºC-8ºC). Do not freeze. Protect the syringe or pens from light by keeping it inside the outer carton.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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