Consumer Medicine Information
ENBREL®
Etanercept (rch) Powder and Solvent for Solution for Injection
Etanercept (rch) Solution for Injection (pre-filled syringe)
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Enbrel.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Enbrel against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
If you have any questions about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Enbrel is used for
Enbrel is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a naturally occurring chemical messenger in your bloodstream. TNF plays a role in causing pain and swelling in the joints. Enbrel is a biotechnology-derived protein that works by binding to TNF and preventing it from acting. This reduces the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, helps to treat the skin lesions of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and improves the condition of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Your doctor may have prescribed Enbrel for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Enbrel has been prescribed for you.
Enbrel is not currently recommended for use in children under 4 years of age with rheumatoid arthritis as it has not been tested in children under 4 years with this disease.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Enbrel is not addictive.
Before you use Enbrel
When you must not use it
Do not use Enbrel if:
- You have an allergy to Enbrel or any of the ingredients listed at the
end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or a tight feeling in your chest, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, itching, hives or flushed red skin, dizziness or light-headedness. - You have, or are at risk of developing, sepsis (blood poisoning), or
long-term or localised infection (for example, leg ulcer).
Sepsis is a serious infection causing fever, headache, joint aches and pains, sore or weak muscles, and increased heart rate. Enbrel can affect your body's ability to fight a serious infection.
If you are not sure whether you have a serious infection, check with your doctor. - You are currently taking anakinra or other similar medicines known as Interleukin-1 antagonists, and other immunosuppressants.
- The packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
- The expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
If you use Enbrel after the expiry date has passed, it may have no effect at all, or worse, have an entirely unexpected effect.
If you are not sure whether you should start using Enbrel, contact your doctor.
Before you use it
Tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to:
- Latex, as the needle cover contains dry natural rubber (Enbrel solution pre-filled syringe only)
- Any other medicines
- Any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
- You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
The effects of Enbrel in pregnant women are not known, and so the use of Enbrel is not recommended during pregnancy. You are advised not to become pregnant while taking Enbrel. If you become pregnant while using Enbrel, contact your doctor. - You are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
It is not known whether Enbrel passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breast-feeding, you should discuss with your doctor whether to stop breast-feeding or stop using Enbrel. - You have or have had any other medical conditions, especially the
following:
- Serious infection including hepatitis, tuberculosis or a history of recurring infections
- Low resistance to disease
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Blood disorders
- Cancer
- Are about to have major surgery
- Multiple sclerosis or optic neuritis (inflammation of the nerves of the eyes)
- Chicken pox or have been recently exposed to chickenpox.
Make sure that you are up to date with all vaccinations before receiving
Enbrel.
Some vaccines, such as oral polio vaccine, should not be given while receiving
Enbrel.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start using Enbrel.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may affect the way others work. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do when using Enbrel with other medicines. Enbrel may interact with other medicines such as:
- Interleukin-1 antagonists such as anakinra
- Some vaccines
- Sulfasalazine, a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and gastrointestinal inflammation, such as Crohn's disease
- Digoxin, a medicine used to improve the strength and efficiency of the heart, or to control the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat
- Warfarin, a medicine used to thin the blood and prevent blood clots.
How to use Enbrel
Powder for injection only:
Enbrel powder for injection contains no additives that would prevent the growth of bacteria once the powder is dissolved. For this reason, the powder should not be stored for more than 6 hours after dissolving.
Solution for injection only:
After allowing the Enbrel solution to reach room temperature, immediate use is recommended.
Each vial or syringe of Enbrel is for single use only, in one patient only. Discard any residue.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist
carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you are injecting Enbrel yourself, you must follow the detailed
instructions provided in the leaflet inside the pack.
Enbrel is injected under the skin. When using Enbrel, it is important that you
do not pull back on the plunger. Enbrel can be injected by your doctor, nurse,
carer or by yourself.
When you have finished injecting Enbrel, discard the needle and syringe into a sharps container.
If you do not understand the instructions for injecting Enbrel found in the carton, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
To help you remember, use a diary to write in the days of the week you or your child should have an Enbrel injection.
When to use it
Your doctor will tell you how to inject Enbrel. A different site should be used for each new injection. Each new injection should be given at least 3cm from an old site.
The recommended dose for adults is 50 mg per week, injected under the skin. This can be given as either a single 50 mg injection once weekly, or two separate 25 mg injections, 3-4 days apart.. Your doctor may determine a different frequency at which to inject Enbrel. If you are being treated for psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of Enbrel when you first begin your treatment.
The appropriate dose for children and teenagers with juvenile chronic arthritis will vary depending on your child's body weight. Your child's doctor will provide detailed directions for preparing and measuring the appropriate dose for your child.
How long to take it
You should continue to inject Enbrel for as long as your doctor
recommends.
Never inject more than the dose recommended by your doctor.
If you feel that the effect of Enbrel is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to give yourself or your child an injection, you should inject the next dose as soon as you remember if it is within 48 hours since the scheduled dose time. If it is more than 48 hours since the last dose was due, wait for the next scheduled dose.
Do not use a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to use your medicine, ask your pharmacist for
some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (in Australia; tel 13 11 26, or in New Zealand; tel 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have used too much Enbrel. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Always take the labelled medicine carton with you, even if it is empty.
You may need urgent medical attention. There is very limited data on overdose with Enbrel. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
While you are using Enbrel
Things you must do
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using Enbrel.
Tell your doctor if Enbrel is not making your condition better.
If you have or develop any serious infection while using Enbrel, do not inject any more Enbrel and contact your doctor immediately.
Seek medical advice immediately if you have any symptoms such as
persistent fever, sore throat, bruising, bleeding or paleness.
These symptoms may point to the existence of a potentially life-threatening
blood disorder, which may require you to stop taking Enbrel.
Be careful driving or operating dangerous machinery until you know how
it affects you.
It is not known whether Enbrel causes dizziness or drowsiness.
Things you must not do
Do not shake the solution of Enbrel after you have added the sterile
water for injection.
Shaking the solution will cause it to froth (create lots of bubbles). This may
affect the medicine so that it does not work.
Do not give Enbrel to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use Enbrel to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop using Enbrel, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor.
Do not stop using Enbrel because you are feeling better, unless your
doctor advises you.
Your condition may flare up if you reduce the dose or stop using Enbrel.
Side Effects
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking Enbrel, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, Enbrel can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Injection site reactions
The most common side effect is a mild reaction in the area where Enbrel was injected, including:
- Itching
- Bruising
- Redness
- Bleeding, swelling, pain or hardness around the injection site.
These reactions generally do not occur as often after the first month of treatment.
If you are concerned about injection site reactions, contact your doctor
or pharmacist.
When injecting Enbrel, some people have developed a reaction to an injection
site used before.
Infections
Infections, including colds and sinus infections, are very common.
Serious infections may occur including tuberculosis and blood poisoning.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Signs of an infection such as fever, chills, mouth ulcers or sore throat
- Signs of lung disease such as breathlessness during exercise or a dry cough
- Signs of nervous system disorders such as seizures, numbness or tingling throughout your body, weakness in your arms and/or legs and dizziness, or problems with your eye sight
- Inflammation of the spinal cord
- Inflammation of blood vessels in the skin or lymph glands
- Signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, or hives
- Other signs of immune system disorders such as skin rash, blisters and ulcers on the skin, in the mouth or airways
- Signs of a blood disorder such as tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath when exercising, dizziness, paleness, nose bleeds, unusual bleeding or bruising or more frequent infections
- Worsening of existing heart failure.
These may be very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you unwell.
There have been reports of some types of cancer developing in patients using Enbrel. The role of Enbrel in the development of cancer is not known.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using Enbrel
Storage
Keep Enbrel in a refrigerator where the temperature stays between 2°C
and 8°C. Do not freeze. Do not store Enbrel or any other medicine in the
bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep Enbrel where children cannot reach it.
Powder for injection only:
Dispose of any Enbrel solution that has been prepared more than 6 hours
ago, but not used.
Enbrel may not work if left in solution for more than 6 hours.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Enbrel or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that is left over.
Product Description
What it looks like
Powder for injection:
Enbrel powder for injection is supplied as a pack containing four single dose glass vials of Enbrel powder. Each vial of Enbrel contains either 25 mg or 50 mg of the active ingredient, etanercept (rch). The pack also includes four pre-filled glass syringes of sterile water for injections. The powder must be dissolved in 1 mL of the sterile water for injections before use. Four sterile vial adaptors and four sterile needles are also supplied. The vial adaptor is for delivering the water into the Enbrel vial. It should be replaced with a needle for injection after the Enbrel solution has been drawn up into the syringe.
Solution for injection:
Enbrel solution for injection is supplied in a kit containing four single-dose pre-filled glass syringes containing Enbrel solution. Eight alcohol swabs are also provided in the kit.
Ingredients
Powder for injection:
Enbrel powder for injection contains either 25 mg or 50 mg of the active ingredient etanercept (rch). Enbrel also contains mannitol, trometamol and sucrose.
Solution for injection:
Enbrel solution for injection contains 50 mg of the active ingredient etanercept (rch). The Enbrel solution also contains sucrose, sodium chloride, L-arginine hydrochloride, sodium phosphate- monobasic dihydrate, sodium phosphate -dibasic dihydrate and water.
Enbrel powder for injection and solution for injection do not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Supplier
Enbrel is supplied by:
Wyeth Australia Pty Limited
ABN 16 000 296 211
17-19 Solent Circuit, Norwest Business Park
Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153
Australia
Tel (02) 8850 8200 or 9761 8200
For further information, please contact Wyeth on 1800 500 498 (toll-free in Australia), or Email medinfo@wyeth.com
Administration kit was prepared by:
John Wyeth and Brother Ltd
New Lane, Havant, Hampshire
England
Australian Registration Number
25 mg powder with diluent kit: AUST R 90456
50 mg powder with diluent kit: AUST R 107316
50 mg solution for injection kit: AUST R 124422
New Zealand
For all customer enquiries, please contact Wyeth on toll free 0800 447 400 or Email: medinfo@wyeth.com
Distributed in New Zealand by:
Pharmacy Retailing (NZ) Limited
58 Richard Pearce Drive, Airport Oaks
Auckland
® Registered Trade Mark
This document was prepared on: 26 June 2008