Enbrel (Etanercept) Drug Information

The drug Enbrel® (
 etanercept) is prescribed to treat several different types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. As a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, this medication works to relieve inflammation, stiffness, and other symptoms by blocking the action of a naturally occurring chemical in the body.
 
Enbrel comes in injectable form, and is usually given once or twice a week. You can receive these injections at your healthcare provider's office, or you can inject the medicine yourself, provided you are comfortable doing this and your healthcare provider shows you how.
 
Before beginning treatment with Enbrel, information your healthcare provider needs includes a complete medical history and a list of any other medications you are taking. This will help him or her determine if this product is right for you.
 
(Click Enbrel for more information on this drug, including general dosing guidelines, possible side effects to be aware of, and important safety concerns.)
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD