certolizumab vs etanercept
Side-by-side comparison of certolizumab and etanercept Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Cimzia
Enbrel
Cimzia is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF. It helps reduce inflammation and other symptoms of certain diseases.
Enbrel is a medicine that blocks a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). It is used to treat arthritis, psoriasis, and other similar conditions.
Cimzia treats Crohn's disease by easing symptoms. It also helps keep the disease under control in adults. Cimzia can also treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis in adults. It is also used for juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children 2 years and older.
Enbrel treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis in adults. It also treats juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis in children. Enbrel helps to reduce the signs and symptoms of these conditions, like pain and swelling. It can also help to prevent further damage to your joints.
Cimzia blocks a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF can cause inflammation and damage in certain diseases. By blocking TNF, Cimzia can reduce these symptoms.
Enbrel blocks a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF can cause inflammation and damage in your joints and skin. By blocking TNF, Enbrel can reduce inflammation and improve your symptoms.
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Rash
- • Urinary tract infection
- • Infections
- • Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching)
No adverse event reports.
- The medicine is not working 75,053
- Pain where you got the shot 56,664
- Rheumatoid arthritis 46,170
- Joint pain 44,970
- Pain 43,005
Cimzia can make you more likely to get serious infections that could lead to death. Tell your doctor if you have any kind of infection before starting Cimzia. Children and teenagers taking TNF blockers like Cimzia have a higher chance of getting lymphoma and other cancers.
Enbrel can increase your risk of serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. These include tuberculosis (TB) and fungal infections. You should be tested for TB before starting Enbrel. Enbrel may also increase your risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma. Children and adolescents taking TNF blockers like Enbrel have developed lymphoma and other malignancies, some of which were fatal.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Studies suggest Cimzia transfer to the baby is minimal during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of getting vaccines if your baby was exposed to Cimzia during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Studies suggest a slightly higher chance of birth defects in women exposed to Enbrel during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Enbrel during pregnancy.
Also Compare — Nearby Drugs
Compare certolizumab with
Compare etanercept with
How to Read This certolizumab vs etanercept Comparison
certolizumab is classified in the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) drug class, while etanercept sits within the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, certolizumab has 0 submissions while etanercept has 265,862. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between certolizumab and etanercept — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.