Etanercept (Systemic)

Brand Names : ENBREL

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For etanercept, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to etanercept or any of its components. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

The needle cover on the pre-filled diluent syringe is lined with latex (rubber product). If you are allergic to latex (rubber products), talk to your doctor before using.

Pregnancy - Etanercept has not been studied in pregnant women. Etanercept has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether etanercept passes into breast milk. However, etanercept may possibly cause serious side effects in nursing infants. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Etanercept has been tested in children 4 to 17 years of age. Studies indicate that etanercept may reduce signs and symptoms in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Stomach pain and vomiting were seen more often in children than in adults.

Older adults - Etanercept has been tested in elderly patients and has not been found to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription, nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine, or vaccinations.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of etanercept. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis - Etanercept may make these diseases worse in susceptible patients

• Cancer (or history of) or
• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
• Disease of the immune system (or history of) or
• Infections - Etanercept may decrease the body's ability to fight infection

• Blood disorders - Etanercept may make these diseases worse or cause them to appear in susceptible patients