Type of application

The finished drug is administered in its usual dosage (25 mg) twice a week or in the double dosage (50 mg) once a week subcutaneously (under the skin). In children and adolescents, an individual dosage is usually determined by the doctor. It can be administered independently from meals.

Dosage

Enbrel® is available in different dosages, 25mg or 50mg being the most commonly prescribed. In most cases the injections have to be placed under the skin once or twice a week. Depending on the patient’s condition and circumstances, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage. For children, the doctor will determine the appropriate dosage and dosing intervals according to body weight, age and disease. It is important to always use Enbrel® exactly as directed by the physician and to consult him in case of uncertainty.Even if the effect of the drug is perceived as too strong or too weak, it is essential to contact the treating physician.

Contraindications and precautions

In case of allergy to the active substance Etanercept or to other components of the drug, in case of blood poisoning (sepsis) and in case of currently existing infections it must not be used. Increased caution and prior information and education by the doctor is indicated for the following diseases: Tuberculosis: Here it can come to reactivation or new infection with tuberculosis bacteria. Prior clarification of the medical history, an X-ray thorax and a tuberculin test can be carried out before taking Enbrel® to minimize the risk.

If typical symptoms of tuberculosis such as prolonged coughing, significant weight loss, slightly increased fever and listlessness occur during treatment, the doctor should be informed immediately. Granulomatous polyangiitis (also known as Wegener’s granulomatosis): This rare immune disease is not treated with Enbrel®, even though the body’s reaction to it is also misdirected against itself. Chickenpox, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C: These viral diseases, similar to tuberculosis, which is bacterially caused, can lead to recurrence or worsening of an infection.

Therefore, the benefits and risks should be carefully weighed. Surgery: The use of Enbrel® should also be monitored and, if necessary, changed in the course of a major surgical operation, since operations are a serious intervention in the body’s balance and some unforeseen changes may occur.

Tuberculosis: Here, reactivation or new infection with tuberculosis bacteria can occur.
Prior clarification of the medical history, an X-ray thorax and a tuberculin test can be performed before taking Enbrel® to minimize the risk. If typical symptoms of tuberculosis such as prolonged coughing, significant weight loss, slightly increased fever and listlessness occur during treatment, the doctor should be informed immediately.
Granulomatous polyangiitis (also known as Wegener’s granulomatosis): This rare immune disorder is not treated with Enbrel®, even though the body’s reaction to it is also misdirected against itself.
Chickenpox, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C: These viral diseases, similar to tuberculosis, which is bacterially caused, can lead to recurrence or worsening of an infection. Therefore, the benefits and risks should be carefully weighed.
Operations: The use of Enbrel® should also be monitored and, if necessary, changed in the course of a major surgical procedure, as surgery is a serious intervention in the body’s balance and unforeseen changes may occur.
Neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (pathological demyelination in the central nervous system), inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis) or cross-sectional myelitis (inflammation localized in the spinal cord) require careful consideration by the physician.

When weaning Enbrel® , nothing special needs to be observed. In contrast to some other drugs, it is not necessary to discontinue. However, it is often possible that symptoms that have been alleviated by taking Enbrel® may reoccur after discontinuation, as the drug does not usually cure the disease and its symptoms, but only helps to control them