Enbrel is the brand name of etanercept, a medication used to treat the symptoms of such health issues as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis and to prevent joint damage caused by any of these conditions. It works by slowing the immune system's production of a specific protein. Enbrel is not used to cure or treat the actual conditions, but rather to reduce the symptoms associated with them. As with any medication, Enbrel has the risk of side effects.
Mild Side Effects
After an injection of Enbrel some patients may experience mild side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose, cold symptoms or headache. Drugs.com suggests that these are mostly harmless and do not require medical attention unless they become severe or extremely uncomfortable. It is not uncommon to experience mild pain, tenderness and possibly bruising at the site of the infection. This is due to the needle used for the injection and not usually the medication itself. Any signs of rash or skin irritation at the site of injection may signify a sensitivity to Enbrel.
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects do not occur regularly with the use of Enbrel, but if they do occur, Drugs.com recommends medical treatment right away. Examples of serious side effects may include shortness of breath with swelling, rapid weight gain, skin color changes such as rashes, pain in the joints, fever, swollen glands, numbness, burning, pain, tingly feeling, chest pain, coughing up blood, bruising or bleeding easily, pale skin, black or bloody stools, tarry stools, mood changes in children, unusual thoughts or behavior and/or seizures.
Complications
Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to the injection. Symptoms can be serious and require medical attention. Signs of allergy include breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of the face and/or lips, swelling of the tongue and/or throat and skin discoloration resulting in a blue tint.
The development of an infection while using Enbrel can be serious as the medication reduces the immune system's response to such things. The injection does not cause the infection, but it can inhibit the body's ability to fight it off. RxList.com advises to report any signs of infection to a doctor. These signs include fever, sweating, chills, fatigue, cough, sore throat, weight loss or flu symptoms. Individuals who have a weakened immune system to begin with should not use Enbrel. Individuals with existing health conditions may also experience a worsening of symptoms due to the reduction in immune system response. Examples of health concerns that may be exacerbated include psoriasis or an infection of any kind.
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