Navigation

Erelzi vs. Enbrel

Are Erelzi and Enbrel the Same Thing?

Erelzi (etanercept-szzs) injection and Enbrel (etanercept) are tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers used to treat certain autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and plaque psoriasis (PsO).

Erelzi is biosimilar to Enbrel.

Side effects of Erelzi and Enbrel that are similar include injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling, bleeding, bruising) and diarrhea.

Side effects of Erelzi that are different from Enbrel include infections, rash, hives, and fever.

Side effects of Enbrel that are different from Erelzi include mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, heartburn, weight changes, cold symptoms (cough, runny nose), and weakness.

Both Erelzi and Enbrel may interact with live vaccines, anakinra, and cyclophosphamide.

Enbrel may also interact with sulfasalazine and drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Erelzi?

Common side effects of Erelzi include:

  • infections,
  • injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling, bleeding, bruising),
  • diarrhea,
  • rash,
  • hives, and
  • fever.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Enbrel?

Common side effects of Enbrel include:

  • Mild nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Redness or discomfort at the injection site
  • Heartburn
  • Weight changes
  • Cold symptoms (cough, runny nose)
  • Weakness

Serious side effects include:

  • Seizures
  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Skin changes (rash, pustules, blisters, patchy skin color, red spots, or a butterfly-shaped rash over cheeks and nose)
  • Swelling
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Numbness and tingling, burning pain
  • Vision changes
  • Dizziness
  • Signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, confusion, neck stiffness, flu symptoms, itching, swelling, warmth, redness, or oozing),
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Chest pain
  • Ongoing cough
  • Coughing up mucus or blood
  • Black, bloody, or tarry stools
  • Changes in mood or personality (in children)
  • Joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, unusual thoughts or behavior, and/or seizures (convulsions)

What is Erelzi?

Erelzi (etanercept-szzs) injection, for subcutaneous use is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in patients aged 2 years or older, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and plaque psoriasis (PsO).

What is Enbrel?

Enbrel (etanercept) is a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor used to treat certain autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis.

 

What Drugs Interact With Erelzi?

Erelzi may interact with live vaccines, anakinra, abatacept, and cyclophosphamide. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use and all vaccines you recently received. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Erelzi. It is unknown if it would affects a fetus. Erelzi passes into breast milk but it is unknown if it would affect a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Enbrel?

Enbrel may interact with anakinra, cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine, or drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

 

How Should Erelzi Be Taken?

The dose of Erelzi to treat adult RA and PsA is 50 mg once weekly with or without methotrexate; the dose of Erelzi to treat AS is 50 mg once weekly; the dose of Erelzi to treat adult PsO is 50 mg twice weekly for 3 months, followed by 50 mg once weekly; and the dose of Erelzi to treat JIA (patients who weigh >63 kg) is 0.8 mg/kg weekly, with a maximum of 50 mg per week.

How Should Enbrel Be Taken?

Enbrel is available in three preparations; 0.98 mL of a 50 mg/mL solution of etanercept, 0.51 mL of a 50 mg/mL solution of etanercept and 25 mg etanercept. All are used for injection; only the 25 mg strength is available in a multiuse vial, the others are available in a prefilled syringe. Starting dose is often 50 mg injected twice a week in adults and 0.8 mg per Kg in pediatric patients weighing less than 63 Kg. Other doses may be used.