Enbrel (etanercept) is a drug used to treat people with immune diseases such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It is made up of a protein that is given in the form of an injection. These are some side effects that you should be aware of.
Injection Site Reaction
A common side effect of Enbrel is a reaction at the site of injection. You may experience pain, redness and swelling. To help alleviate pain and swelling you may use a cold compress on the injection site. It is advisable to rotate injection sites so that you are not always injecting into the same area. Also, do not inject this medication into areas where you skin is bruised, tender, red or hard. You should also avoid injecting into areas with stretch marks.
Upper Respiratory Infection
Although Enbrel helps treat against immune disorders, it also makes the body more susceptible to certain types of infections. A common one that is seen with patients taking this drug is an upper-respiratory infection. If you experience an infection of the sinuses, ears or throat with or without fever you should contact your health-care provider. You may need to be treated with an antibiotic.
Headache
Headache is another common complaint while taking Enbrel. You may want to use Tylenol or Motrin as directed by your doctor. If your headache becomes severe or does not subside you should contact your health-care provider.
Serious Side Effects
There are some more serious side effects of Enbrel that you should be aware of. These include tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, seizures, heart failure and lymphoma, as well as allergic reactions. Although these effects are rare, in the event that you experience any signs or symptoms you should contact your prescribing physician immediately.
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