etanercept
Brand names: Enbrel
Enbrel is a medicine that blocks a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). It is used to treat arthritis, psoriasis, and other similar conditions.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$1853.56/unit
Generic Available
No
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective August 23, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Enbrel treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis in adults.
Common side effects
Infections, Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching)
Key warnings
Enbrel can increase your risk of serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Enbrel is given as a shot under the skin (subcutaneous injection). For adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, the usual dose is 50 mg once a week. For adults with plaque psoriasis, the starting dose is 50 mg twice a week for 3 months, followed by 50 mg once a week. For children, the dose is based on weight.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Enbrel, take it as soon as you remember. Then, take your next dose at your regular scheduled time.
Storage
Store Enbrel in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in its original carton to protect it from light. Do not freeze.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 413,008 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 591,578 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
591,578
Death-Related Reports
16,504
Hospitalization Reports
65,552
Top Indication
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 75,052 |
| 2 | INJECTION SITE PAIN | 56,664 |
| 3 | RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS | 46,175 |
| 4 | ARTHRALGIA | 44,971 |
| 5 | PAIN | 43,004 |
| 6 | INJECTION SITE ERYTHEMA | 41,016 |
| 7 | FATIGUE | 30,269 |
| 8 | PAIN IN EXTREMITY | 25,460 |
| 9 | JOINT SWELLING | 25,430 |
| 10 | PSORIASIS | 24,970 |
| 11 | HEADACHE | 24,668 |
| 12 | INJECTION SITE SWELLING | 23,258 |
| 13 | OFF LABEL USE | 22,112 |
| 14 | INJECTION SITE PRURITUS | 22,089 |
| 15 | INJECTION SITE REACTION | 20,860 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Live vaccines – Avoid concurrent administration with Enbrel ( 5.8 , 7.1 ) Anakinra – Increased risk of serious infection ( 5.12 , 7.2 ) Abatacept – Increased risk of serious adverse events, including infections ( 5.12 , 7.2 ) Cyclophosphamide – Not recommended for use with Enbrel. In clinical studies, concurrent administration of abatacept and Enbrel resulted in increased incidences of serious adverse events, including infections, and did not demonstrate increased clinical benefit [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] .
Mechanism: Both drugs lower your body's ability to fight off germs. Using them together makes your immune system too weak and greatly increases your risk of getting a serious infection.
What to do: Avoid taking these two medications together. Your doctor will help you find a single treatment that works without increasing your risk of infection.
7.4 Sulfasalazine Patients in a clinical study who were on established therapy with sulfasalazine, to which Enbrel was added, were noted to develop a mild decrease in mean neutrophil counts in comparison to groups treated with either Enbrel or sulfasalazine alone.
Mechanism: Taking these two medicines together can lower the number of white blood cells that help your body fight infections.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood cell counts regularly while you are using both medications.
Common Questions
What should I do if I get an infection while taking Enbrel?
Can I get vaccines while taking Enbrel?
How long does it take for Enbrel to start working?
Can I take other medicines with Enbrel?
What are the signs of an allergic reaction to Enbrel?
Can Enbrel cause heart problems?
Does Enbrel affect my blood?
Can Enbrel cause nerve problems?
What if I am exposed to chickenpox?
How is Enbrel supplied?
What are the common side effects of etanercept?
Does etanercept interact with other medications?
What drug class is etanercept?
Is etanercept safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic)
Other drugs grouped near etanercept — same-class peers and common alternatives.
abatacept
Orencia
Orencia is a medicine that helps to reduce inflammation.
Compare with etanercept →
acetaminophen
Tylenol
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a medicine that can relieve pain and reduce fever.
Compare with etanercept →
acetaminophen/hydrocodone
Vicodin, Norco
This medicine contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone.
Compare with etanercept →
acetaminophen/oxycodone
Percocet
Percocet is a strong pain medicine.
Compare with etanercept →
adalimumab
Humira
Idacio is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF.
Compare with etanercept →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
🩺 Find a Doctor
Search prescribers for TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic)
🏨 Hospital Quality
CMS hospital ratings, safety scores & patient outcomes
💊 Supplement Data
NIH DSLD — check supplement ingredients & label claims
🍽️ Food Safety Alerts
FDA recalls, inspections & outbreak investigations
⚠️ Product Recalls
FDA, CPSC & NHTSA recall search
💉 Procedure Costs
Medicare procedure pricing for 9,297 procedures
Save on etanercept
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for etanercept
The FDA label for etanercept (sold under brand names such as Enbrel) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) class. Enbrel treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis in adults. Official labeling lists 2 commonly reported side effects, including Infections, Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 413,008 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 9, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages