Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases What are the side effects of taking Enbrel?

ok people, what are the side effects of taking enbrel? I'm starting the treatment soon and I'm getting some advice on what to expect. What am I in for?

Hi Stu,

This would probably get more responses on the General Forum. Going to move it there. You will also find information on our medications page:

http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as_med.aspx

Chris

Thorough info from the manufacturer is here.
http://www.enbrel.com/prescribing-information.jsp?channel=GOSEA&subchannel=SENC

More info is here.
http://www.drugs.com/pdr/enbrel.html

I have been on it for two wonderful years. The only side effect I had was a very red, itchy lump at the injection site. This did stop after 6 months or so and now there is no side effects. Enbrel has been a true blessing for me. Without it I would never be able to live my life they way I do. I know some people aren't as sucessful as I was maybe they will post. Good luck!

I started Enbrel in late October, 2008.

Sometimes I get the red, itchy lumps/bumps at the injection sites but not always. (I self-inject with syringes at home once a week.)

The Enbrel gives/gave me severe headaches, which in the beginning were starting within minutes of the injection and lasting 4 to 5 days. But I was willing to put up with them, because I am suffering from severe headaches already anyway, and I want to give the Enbrel a chance to work. Upon talking to my rheum., I was advised that for patients prone to headaches already, this side effect is more pronounced/more severe/more risk of happening. They advise patients to switch the injection to right before bedtime (so you go to sleep right away hopefully) and to take Tylenol or Benadryl OTC before the injection if not contraindicated. Also, they said for most patients, the length of time and strength of the headaches usually decreases with time. This has been the case with me.

I still get headaches with the injections, but they are not as bad and are down to a few hours usually. (Still have the other stupid headaches. Rats!)

The biggest problem I've actually had is getting the needle to break through my skin, and then when it is through initially to continue pushing all the way in... And believe me, I am very used to giving shots. I am diabetic, insulin dependent, and give myself at least 5 insulin shots per day. While going through fertility treatments, I did all those shots -- and for those who think Enbrel has a burn... Let me tell you, I can't even feel the Enbrel compared to that (*$^((#@@)&^%@$. AND I used to be a certified Paramedic and Assistant Chief of our local ambulance service. So lots of shots given and taken. But these Enbrel needles just don't want to punch through my skin. I don't know if it is because of the latex cap...

As for giving the injection: The rheum. advised letting the Enbrel warm up for 15 to 30 minutes by taking it out of the fridge before giving it as some patients did report a burn or "bite". It doesn't bother me in this way -- I do take it out ahead of time as advised.

Sherri

I used to inject with the Sureclick autoinjector of Enbrel. It was rather painful even after leaving it out of the refrigerator for 30 minutes so I did ice the area on my body for 15 minutes before injecting. This helped a lot. I would get an itchy red lump at times after injecting but I found putting ice on the injection site after the injection was over alleviated the itching and lump. Other than that I had no side effects from Enbrel.

After awhile I did seem to get used to the injections but I always iced the area before and after.

thank you for the great info, I hope to have pain relief soon.

I used to be on the Sureclick, but it was too painful for me and it took me forever to get up the courage to push the button. So I have now switched to the needle injection and it is so much better. It took a couple of times to get used to the needle, but I am able to do it in no time now. It is a little hard to push into the skin, but once you get pasted the top layer then it goes in fine. I put ice on it before and then I put an ice pack on afterwards too to prevent the swelling. I used to get bruises and large red places on my leg with the Sureclick, but I just dont get that with the needle. There may be a red place that last for a day or two, but no bruise, which is better for summer since I use my thigh. I have been told to try my stomach, but I havent yet.
I really havent had any side effects except that I got sick like 3 times when I first started, but after a few months I have been fine. I have only been on it for almost a year, so I havent really noticed anything yet.