Side Effects of Enbrel - What are they??

[LillyPie]

I've been on Enbrel for 8 months. My doctor never once seemed concerned about the side effects. In all honesty, I didn't even realize there were any serious ones - until I am constantly reading on here about people that are scared to go on Enbrel. I was much more worried about the side effects of methotrexate (I was on it for 9 years). So, please educate me to these side effects some people are terrified of.

[web63]

I have been on Enbrel off and on for 4 years.
I am on it now at double doses.
I am also on 1cc of MTX.
I have no side effects from Enbrel.
Over the years, my eye sight has gotten a little worse, that could either just be normal for me, or could be a side effect, which they do claim in the Enbrel phamplet.

Thanks,

[MikeK]

Hi LillyPie,

I'm at work right now (which means that I'm not supposed to be here :rolleyes: ) so I'm going to have to keep this brief.

Here's a link to www.pdrhealth.com's discusson of Enbrel: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/enb1159.shtml. They note that Enbrel's potential side effects include:

Abdominal pain, cough, dizziness, headache, indigestion, infections, injection site reaction, nausea, rash, respiratory problems, respiratory tract infection, serious infections such as cellulitis and pneumonia, sinus and nasal inflammation, sore throat, vomiting, weakness
They also noted that people should:
Think carefully about using Enbrel if you are prone to repeated infections or have a condition that encourages infections, such as diabetes. Be cautious, too, if you have a disease of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or a seizure disorder; such problems have been known to develop or get worse during Enbrel therapy. Enbrel should also be used with caution if you are prone to blood disorders, since they have occasionally appeared during treatment with Enbrel.
They go on to note that:

Enbrel may worsen congestive heart failure. If you have this condition, make sure the doctor knows about it; Enbrel should be used with caution.

Enbrel has been known to trigger a condition similar to lupus. If you develop warning signs such as raised patches of red skin, see the doctor immediately. Enbrel therapy may have to be stopped.

Also check with your doctor immediately if you develop warning signs of a blood disorder, including such symptoms as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness. You may have to stop taking Enbrel.There's also been some discussion that Enbrel may increase the risk of certain cancers, such as lymphoma.

A lot of people who post here use Enbrel. The good news is that most of them report being pleased with the results that they have seen. The most common complaints seem to be headaches and injection site reactions. Sadly, there have been a handful of posts from people who've developed serious health problems while on Enbrel. Most of them blame Enbrel, but there's really no way to know for sure. Fortunately, the number of posts from people who've developed serious health problems, while on Enbrel, are so few and far between, that their stories are easy to remember and find.

Sadly, Bill (bluewater) developed Lymphoma shortly after he started Enbrel. He very understandably blamed Enbrel. (Sadly, his screen name has been deleted so he not only no longer posts here, but there's also no way of knowing how well he is doing. I hope and pray that he's o.k.) I'll give you a link to the thread where he shared the sad news of his diagnosis later on in this post.

Sadly, Karen (Kiki223) developed liver cancer and several other serious health problems after being on Enbrel for all of five weeks. She posted that her doctors concluded that her health issues were cause by Enbrel. She doesn't post very often and we haven't heard from her in a while. I hope and pray that she's o.k.) I'll also give you a link to the thread where she discussed her experience with us.

As I said, we're fortunate in that the number of post from people who've developed serious health problems while on Enbrel have been so few and far between that the posts are easy to remember and find. Here's the links to their sometimes very sad stories:

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=226418#post226418

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3414;

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4919; (Tiffany posted an update. The problems that she experienced turned out to be UNRELATED to Enbrel. Here's a link: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=62631#post62631.)

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16949.

I hope this helps.

Mike

[luvwinnie]

I've been on it for over 2 years with no ill effects.

[NL]

I have been on Enbrel since May. The only side effect I have had is clearing of my P and possibly fatigue. That is not to say that everyone shouldn't weigh the possible side effects.

[cakp12]

I was on Enbrel for over two years with no side effects- It was not working as well as it had in the beginning so I am now trying Humira (not working very well so far).

[NPFLaura]

I was on enbrel for several years and was taken off of it because I developed MS-like symptoms (rare). The good news is that when you have a neurological reaction, it stops when you stop the drug. I also got repeat sinus infections and infections in my toe nail (ingrown nails). I would guess that the most common side-effect is infection.

[terryob]

Hello brothers and sisters!,

Anyone have experience with switching regimens between Enbrel and Humara?

I have used Enbrel for three years and it is not working like it used to in the beginning. It seems like I am spending more time on topical medications and tanning only to beat down the lesions.
I work in health care and have to wash hands more frequently than is probably good.
I have had this for over twenty years but it seems to worsening with times of stress. When are the times of little stress by the way?
Do dietary changes help?
I would move to another planet if it helped.
God bless you'al.

Terry


I have been on Enbrel off and on for 4 years.
I am on it now at double doses.
I am also on 1cc of MTX.
I have no side effects from Enbrel.
Over the years, my eye sight has gotten a little worse, that could either just be normal for me, or could be a side effect, which they do claim in the Enbrel phamplet.

Thanks,

[einna]

I had no reactions and great results. My eye sight became bad before my Enbrel usage. I wonder if that was a result of aging, the autoimmune disease or my usage of steroid shots for bad shoulders??? Perhaps it is that the poor eye sight has nothing to do with Enbrel.

Annie

[jenifer8]

How long to see results from Enbrel?
I was thinking of going on it

[mdgraham]

Hi Jen, Im kinda with every one else on this one. Ive had know side affects on Enbral.
My eye site is going down alittle but that could be my age, the big 41. In my case I started to see good results within a month of starting. My doc draws my blood once a month to keep a eye on my white count,and by the grace of God its been rock solid so far. Ive been off and on Embral for four years. Good luck.
Mike:

[Patty925]

I have been on Enbrel for almost 3 years, and the it's not working as good as it useto, I have gained weight with it however, and have high blood pressure now but plan on coming off of it at the end of June. WIll start my lamp today and try to build up before I come off of it. But I have yearly blood work and so far so good.