Enbrel Drug Side Effects

If you have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or chronic psoriasis, your doctor may recommend the use of a prescription medication called Enbrel (etanercept). This injectable medication helps regulate the way your immune system responds, which can help alleviate painful disease-related symptoms. Talk with your doctor about Enbrel drug side effects if you have any concerns about this form of treatment.

Injection Site Reaction

Injection site reactions commonly occur as a side effect of Enbrel treatment. Clinical trial data provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicate that nearly 40 percent of arthritic patients receiving treatment with Enbrel experienced an injection site reaction. The symptoms of this type of reaction are typically mild to moderate in severity and can include redness, pain, swelling or itching at the injection site that may persist for approximately three to five days. The FDA reports that the frequency of injection site reactions diminish with recurrent use of this medication.

Infection

While using Enbrel, you may be at an increased risk of developing certain types of infections, such as an upper respiratory infection or sinusitis. In clinical trials for this medication, approximately 20 percent of treated patients developed an upper respiratory infection, warns the FDA. Symptoms of infection may arise within the first few weeks of Enbrel treatment and can include fever, muscle aches, headache, cough, runny nose, nausea or vomiting. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or congestive heart failure, may be more likely to develop infections while taking Enbrel. Speak with your doctor immediately if you develop any infection symptoms, as you may require additional medication or treatment to resolve this side effect.

Nervous System Complications

You can develop nervous system complications as a side effect of Enbrel treatment. Health educators at PDR Health, a medical information website established by the publishers of the Physicians' Desk Reference, explain that patients taking Enbrel can be at an increased risk of developing eye nerve inflammation, seizures or multiple sclerosis. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of nerve damage, such as numbness, weakness or vision problems, while taking Enbrel.

Skin Rash or Flu-like Symptoms

Enbrel can cause a skin rash or flu-like symptoms to develop in certain patients. You may notice the formation of a butterfly-shaped rash on your cheeks or nose that can appear red or irritated. Flu-like symptoms resulting from Enbrel use can include fever, sore throat, chills, malaise, stomach upset, body aches, weakness or excessive fatigue, explains Drugs.com, an informational, peer-reviewed consumer drug website. These side effects of Enbrel should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible as they can be indicative of a serious reaction to this medication.