Erelzi Prefilled Syringe Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

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# Erelzi Prefilled Syringe

Generic name: etanercept [ ee-TAN-er-sept ]
Brand names: Enbrel, Erelzi Prefilled Syringe, Erelzi Sensoready Pen
Drug classes: Antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 19, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

## What is Erelzi Prefilled Syringe?

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker that is used in adults to prevent joint damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis.

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe is also used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults and children at least 4 years old.

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe is used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old.

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe is sometimes used with another medicine called methotrexate.

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

## Warnings

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have signs of infection (fever, cough, night sweats, pale skin, bruising or bleeding, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling very tired).

Using Erelzi Prefilled Syringe may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, including lymphoma. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use Erelzi Prefilled Syringe if you are allergic to it, or if you have a severe infection such as sepsis (infection throughout your body).

Tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection, such as:

- fever, chills, sweats, flu-like symptoms, feeling very tired;

- cough, shortness of breath, coughing up blood;

- diarrhea, weight loss;

- skin warmth or redness, open sores; or

- increased urination, burning when you urinate.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

- a weak immune system, HIV, tuberculosis;

- hepatitis B;

- diabetes;

- congestive heart failure;

- a nerve disorder such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome;

- seizures;

- a latex allergy; or

- if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines.

Children should be current on all childhood immunizations before starting treatment with Erelzi Prefilled Syringe.

Using Erelzi Prefilled Syringe may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, including lymphoma. This has occurred mainly in children and teenagers using TNF-blockers. However, anyone with an inflammatory autoimmune disorder may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis. Also tell your doctor if you have recently traveled. Tuberculosis and some fungal infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may have been exposed during travel.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You will need to tell your baby's doctor if you used Erelzi Prefilled Syringe during pregnancy, especially before the baby receives any childhood vaccines.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Erelzi Prefilled Syringe. Ask your doctor about any risk.

## Related/similar drugs

Otezla, Taltz, prednisone, naproxen, methotrexate, Humira, Cosentyx

## How should I use Erelzi Prefilled Syringe?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Before you start treatment with Erelzi Prefilled Syringe, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have an infection.

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Do not shake this medicine. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

You may need to mix Erelzi Prefilled Syringe with a liquid (diluent). When using injections by yourself, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Erelzi Prefilled Syringe.

Erelzi Prefilled Syringe affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to examine you on a regular basis.

If you've ever had hepatitis B, using Erelzi Prefilled Syringe can cause this virus to become active or get worse. You may need frequent liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.

Carefully follow all storage instructions provided with your medicine. Cartridges, injection pens, prefilled syringes, vials, and diluent are stable at specific temperatures for only a certain number of days or weeks. Throw away any medicine not used within that time.

Keep unopened Erelzi Prefilled Syringe in its original carton in the refrigerator. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not use after the expiration date on the label has passed.

You may also store Erelzi Prefilled Syringe at room temperature for a short time. Enbrel may be kept at room temperature for up to 14 days. Erelzi may be kept at room temperature for up to 28 days. If you store your medicine at room temperature, throw it away after the length of time stated for the brand you are using.

Protect the medicine from light and extreme hot or cold temperatures. Once the medicine has reached room temperature, do not put it back into the refrigerator.

Each cartridge, injection pen, or prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Detailed Erelzi dosage information

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Erelzi Prefilled Syringe.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

## What should I avoid while using Erelzi Prefilled Syringe?

Avoid injecting Erelzi Prefilled Syringe into skin that is bruised, tender, red, or hard.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Erelzi Prefilled Syringe. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using Erelzi Prefilled Syringe.

## Erelzi Prefilled Syringe side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

- fever, chills, flu symptoms;

- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;

- pain, redness, or swelling where Erelzi Prefilled Syringe was injected (for longer than 5 days after injection);

- signs of lymphoma--fever, night sweats, weight loss, stomach pain or swelling, swollen glands (in your neck, armpits, or groin);

- signs of tuberculosis--cough, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling very tired;

- new or worsening psoriasis--skin redness or scaly patches, raised bumps filled with pus;

- nerve problems--dizziness, numbness or tingling, problems with vision, or weak feeling in your arms or legs;

- signs of heart failure--shortness of breath, swelling in your lower legs;

- lupus-like syndrome--joint pain or swelling, chest discomfort, feeling short of breath, skin rash on your cheeks or arms (worsens in sunlight); o

- liver problems--right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Common side effects of Erelzi Prefilled Syringe may include:

- pain, swelling, itching, or redness where the medicine was injected; or

- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Erelzi side effects (more detail)

## What other drugs will affect Erelzi Prefilled Syringe?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

- abatacept (Orencia);

- anakinra (Kineret);

- cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan); or

- insulin or oral diabetes medicine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Erelzi Prefilled Syringe, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Erelzi drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

## Popular FAQ

Does etanercept (Enbrel) work for stroke recovery?

There is good evidence that perispinal administration of etanercept works extremely well for stroke recovery, with the publication of the first RCT in 2019 that supported thousands of individual case reports of a beneficial effect. Improvements in chronic post-stroke symptoms with etanercept is usually rapid and long-lasting. Perispinal etanercept was first developed as a treatment for poststroke symptoms by Dr. Edward Tobinick, in 2010. Continue reading

### More FAQ

- What are the new drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
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- How long does it take for Enbrel to work?

## More about Erelzi (etanercept)

- Check interactions
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: antirheumatics
- Breastfeeding

### Patient resources

- Drug Information
- Erelzi Subcutaneous (Advanced Reading)

#### Other brands

Enbrel, Eticovo

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Plaque Psoriasis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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