Before you start Enbrel treatment, make sure you have read the Enbrel Medication Guide. Ask any questions you may have before the treatment.
You can administer Enbrel yourself if your healthcare provider has shown you how to do it and you are comfortable doing it. Take Enbrel out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before using it. This will make the injection more bearable. Heating it in the microwave or with hot water will destroy the medicine. The Enbrel injection should not be shaken.
Enbrel should only be injected into the outer area of your upper arm (if someone else is giving it to you), your thigh, or your stomach (except the 5 cm area around your belly button). Use soap and water to wash your hands.
Check the injection status through the display window on your Enbrel autoinjector. The internal liquid should appear transparent and colorless. The medicine may contain some small white spots. If the medicine is cloudy, discolored or contains large particles, do not use it. Also, be sure to look at the expiration date of the auto-injector, which is printed on the side.
Choose a place to inject yourself and then clean it with an alcohol wipe. Dry it out. Use caution when applying to skin that is broken, bruised, broken, psoriatic, or discolored. Straighten the Enbrel autoinjector cap and remove it. The medicine may dry out if the cap is left off for longer than five minutes. Stretch the skin with your fingers or pinch it up to create a firm surface at the injection site. Place the autoinjector at a 90-degree angle (straight up and down) at the injection site of your choice. Hold the Enbrel autoinjector while applying firm pressure. Press the purple start button when you are ready to inject. The needle will be inserted and the injection will begin. A clicking sound will be heard. When the injection is complete, hold down the autoinjector firmly until the clicking sound stops and the display window changes from clear to amber. You may hear another click. If the window does not change color, contact your doctor. Place your autoinjector and cap in an approved sharps container. Do not replace the autoinjector cap. Each SureClick autoinjector is administered only once. After starting the injection, the status button on the AutoTouch reusable injector will flash green and then turn off.
People have reported burning for up to 20 seconds after taking Enbrel. Allow the alcohol to evaporate from the injection site after cleaning it with an alcohol wipe so that your skin is dry before administering Enbrel. Ice applied to the area before and after administration can also help reduce burning. In general, injecting into the abdomen is less painful than injecting into the thigh. To prevent scar tissue build-up, change the injection site. Allowing a family member or friend to administer the shots instead can help reduce anticipation, making the procedure less painful.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, which may mean you have an infection, tell your doctor immediately: Cough, diarrhea, fever, sweating, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, tiredness, hot, painful, or red skin or sores on the body; or weight loss. Burning when you urinate or urinating more often than usual.
If you experience an allergic reaction after taking Enbrel, seek immediate medical attention (symptoms include anaphylaxis or hives). Latex is in the needle guard on the pre-filled syringe, the cap inside the white cap on the SureClick, and the purple cap inside the Enbrel mini cartridge.
If you have a cold, you can take Enbrel (etanercept), but you should tell your doctor because he or she may want to monitor your health while your cold symptoms are present, since you are at a higher risk of developing a more serious infection because you are taking Enbrel.
Until it is time to administer Enbrel, it should be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Enbrel can be stored at room temperature for up to 14 days as long as it is protected from light and not heated. Do not refrigerate Enbrel after taking it out of the refrigerator for more than 15 minutes. After 14 days of being out of the refrigerator, Enbrel should be discarded if not used. Always verify the expiration date and never enter expired Enbrel. Avoid freezing Enbrel.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any new medical conditions (such as heart failure or autoimmune diseases) or if your current condition worsens.
It is unknown how Enbrel affects a developing baby, but your doctor may recommend it if the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Enbrel, tell your doctor right away.
Enbrel should not be stored in extreme temperatures, such as the glove compartment or trunk of a car.
