ENBREL Rheumatology FAQs

ENBREL should be stored in the refrigerator. Do not put ENBREL in the freezer. ENBREL must be kept at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). This is the usual temperature for most refrigerators.

Learn more about traveling with and storing ENBREL.

You may want to wait 15 to 30 minutes after you take ENBREL from the refrigerator to allow it to reach room temperature. Do not remove the needle cover while you wait. Do not warm ENBREL in any other way (for example, do not warm it in a microwave or in hot water).

Tip: Set your kitchen timer to remind you that 15 minutes has passed.

Learn more about injecting ENBREL.

Yes, we'd be happy to contact your insurance company for you to find out if ENBREL is covered. You can verify your insurance coverage online or call to speak to one of our insurance specialists at 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735). Please have your insurance card and information ready when you call us.

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Yes, we can help. Our insurance specialists at 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735; Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern time) will do all they can to help. There are several steps that we can take to help you receive payment from your health insurance company. Once we determine the reason that the health insurance company is not covering ENBREL, we can discuss the next best steps. For example, we have materials to assist you and your doctor in asking for coverage, such as sample advocacy letters, appeal letters, and letters of medical necessity.

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We would be happy to find out for you. Each Medicaid agency is different. We can call your agency and ask about your coverage. Just give us a call at 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735) 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

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Coverage of medications and length of coverage vary for each plan under Medicare. If you receive Medicare, you can sign up for a plan that can help cover the cost of ENBREL.

To learn more about Medicare, please visit Medicare.gov or call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735), 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Read more about paying for ENBREL.

Yes. Insurance specialists can help you and your physician with prior authorization. Please call our insurance specialists at 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735) 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday, with your insurance information to get started.

Read more about paying for ENBREL.

Your doctor will tell you how often you should use ENBREL. This amount is based on the condition being treated. Do not use ENBREL more often than prescribed.

The recommended dose of ENBREL for adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis or with ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis is 50 mg per week. A 50-mg dose can be given as one subcutaneous injection (an injection beneath the skin) using either a 50-mg/mL Enbrel^® SureClick^® autoinjector or a 50-mg/mL single-use prefilled syringe. A 50-mg dose can also be given as two 25-mg subcutaneous injections using 25-mg/0.5-mL single-use prefilled syringes or free-hand vials.

The recommended dose of ENBREL for pediatric patients ages 2 to 17 years with moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis is 0.8 mg/kg per week (up to a maximum of 50 mg per week). For pediatric patients weighing 63 kg (138 pounds) or more, the weekly dose of 50 mg may be given using Enbrel® SureClick® autoinjectors or prefilled syringes. For pediatric patients weighing 31 kg to 62 kg (68 pounds to 136 pounds), the total weekly dose should be given as two subcutaneous (an injection beneath the skin) injections, either on the same day or 3 or 4 days apart, using the 25-mg/0.5-mL prefilled syringe or the free-hand vial. The dose for pediatric patients weighing less than 31 kg (68 pounds) should be given as a single subcutaneous injection once weekly using the correct volume from the free-hand vial.

On the front of the middle thighs or on the stomach, except for the 2-inch area around the belly button. These areas usually have enough tissue for the injection and are easy to reach. If a parent or caregiver is giving the injection, the outer area of the upper arms is another option.

Rotate the site for each injection. DO NOT inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. Avoid areas with scars or stretch marks.

If you have plaque psoriasis, you should try not to inject directly into any raised, thick, red, or scaly skin patches or lesions.

View injection demonstrations.

Yes, sometimes this can happen. In some medical studies, some patients experienced mild to moderate injection site reactions, usually within the first month. Most reactions healed and patients could keep taking ENBREL. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor.

Read more about potential side effects.

It's important to make sure the solution is clear before injecting. Before mixing, the powder should be white. After you add the liquid (diluent), the powder usually dissolves in about 10 minutes. The mixed solution should be clear and colorless. (A small amount of foam or bubbles may be present; this is normal.) Do not inject the solution if it is discolored, or if it contains lumps, flakes, or particles. If all the powder in the ENBREL vial is not dissolved or there are particles present after 10 minutes, call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735) for help.

Yes. Here are some tips to help make injections less painful:

• If you are using either the prefilled syringe or the free-hand method, ensure that no liquid is on the needle or needle tip by avoiding pushing the plunger before injecting ENBREL
• Allow ENBREL to reach room temperature prior to injection (usually 15-30 minutes)
• Rotate injection sites (common injection sites include abdomen, front of thighs, and upper arms)
• Use an alcohol swab to prepare the injection site

Learn more about injecting ENBREL.

You don't want to throw used needles or syringes into a regular garbage can or recycling bin. Immediately after each injection, you should discard them in a puncture-resistant container, often called Sharps containers, specifically designed for their disposal. These safe containers can be purchased at your local pharmacy or are available through ENBREL Support™. NEVER recap or reuse a needle, syringe, or an autoinjector. Keep all materials and Sharps containers out of the reach of children.

Once you've filled your Sharps container with used needles, syringes, or autoinjectors, you need to throw it out using the directions from your health care professional. For public safety reasons, containers generally require special disposal. State and local laws for disposing of needles vary from town to town. For information in your area, call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735).

Important: Do not recycle the Sharps container. Never put your Sharps container in the trash with other plastic recyclables (unless your local laws permit this). Never empty the contents of your Sharps container in order to reuse it.

It depends. ENBREL can remain unrefrigerated for short periods of time. However, ENBREL should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).

If you have any questions about storing and using ENBREL, call us toll-free at 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735).

Learn more about traveling with and storing ENBREL.

If a needle or an autoinjector is damaged in any way, don't try to fix it or use it. Throw it out in your Sharps container. If a syringe or an autoinjector is damaged, call 1-888-4ENBREL and we will help you.

Remember to review the proper techniques for preparing ENBREL that come in each carton of ENBREL.

Traveling with ENBREL can be easy. You just need to be prepared. Here's what you should do if you are going to travel with ENBREL for more than a few hours: Keep it in its original packaging, wrap it in bubble wrap, and place it in your travel cooler provided by ENBREL Support™. Then, pack it with ice. Put a thermometer in the cooler and check it every few hours. Add ice as necessary to keep the temperature at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Some hotels may have small refrigerators. Check with the hotel before your arrival. If you're traveling by air, please call the airline ahead of time. You can call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735) to get a free ENBREL travel pack.

Learn more about traveling with and storing ENBREL.

Check with your airline before you travel. They will be able to tell you whether you may carry needles, syringes, or autoinjectors onto the airplane.

It is also a good idea to carry medical documentation to present to airport security. Notify the screener if you are carrying a Sharps container in your carry-on baggage.

Learn more about storing and traveling with ENBREL.

Yes, the needle cover on the Enbrel^® SureClick^® autoinjector and the prefilled syringes contain dry natural rubber (derivative of latex), which should not be handled by persons sensitive to latex.

The most common side effects of ENBREL included injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections (including sinus infections), and headaches.

Review common side effects for ENBREL and important safety information.

If you get an infection, especially one with a fever, you need to contact your doctor right away.

Because they work on the immune system, medicines like ENBREL may affect the body's ability to defend itself against infection while ENBREL is being taken. ENBREL works against one of the body's natural defenses against infection.

Read more about how ENBREL works.

If you forget to take ENBREL when you are supposed to, contact your doctor to find out when to take your next dose of ENBREL.

You should follow your doctor's instructions on how to take ENBREL. Please call your doctor if you have any questions.

Sometimes surgery increases your chance of getting an infection. Because ENBREL increases your risk of getting an infection, your doctor may have you stop ENBREL for a period of time before and after your operation. Ask your doctor when you can go back to taking ENBREL.

Note: Medical studies show that if you have responded to therapy with ENBREL and your doctor does recommend that you temporarily stop your treatments, it is likely you will experience the same benefits when you begin using it again.

Before starting ENBREL, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. To date, there are no ENBREL studies in pregnant women. Tell your doctor of your plans and ask him or her what's right for you.

ENBREL has not been studied in nursing mothers. Nursing mothers should know that ENBREL may be excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from ENBREL, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug.

Patients receiving ENBREL may receive concurrent vaccinations, except for live vaccines. No data are available on the secondary transmission of infection by live vaccines in patients receiving ENBREL.

It is recommended that JIA patients, if possible, be brought up-to-date with all immunizations in agreement with current immunization guidelines prior to initiating ENBREL therapy. Patients with a significant exposure to varicella virus should temporarily discontinue ENBREL therapy and be considered for prophylactic treatment with Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin.

It is important to tell your doctor right away if your child has contact with someone who has the varicella (chicken pox) virus. If your child is exposed to the chicken pox virus, he or she may need to stop taking ENBREL until directed by your health care provider.