Health Library

Etanercept-ykro (By injection)

Etanercept-ykro (ee-TAN-er-sept - ykro)

Treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine is available in 2 forms. You may use a prefilled syringe or prefilled auto injector pen.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject into skin areas that are red, hard, bruised, tender, thick, or scaly, in areas with scars or stretch marks, or in areas affected by psoriasis.
• Prefilled syringe:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Remove the carton with the prefilled syringe from the refrigerator and place it on a flat surface.
  • Allow 30 minutes for the syringe to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm it in any other way (including microwave or hot water).
  • Do not remove the needle cover while allowing the medicine to reach room temperature.
  • Check the liquid in the syringe. It should be clear or almost clear, colorless to pale yellow, and may contain small white or almost clear particles. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it that are not small, white or almost clear. Do not shake. Do not use if it is damaged.
  • Pull the needle cover straight off and throw it away. Do not touch the plunger while removing the needle cover. Do not twist or bend the needle cover. Do not recap the needle.
  • Hold the syringe at a 45 degree angle to the skin. With your other hand, gently pinch a fold of the skin. With a quick dart-like motion, insert the needle fully into the skin. Let go of the skin that you are pinching after the needle is completely inserted. Slowly push down the plunger to inject all of the medicine.
• Prefilled auto injector pen:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Remove the carton with the prefilled pen from the refrigerator and place it on a flat surface.
  • Allow 30 minutes for the syringe to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm it in any other way (including microwave or hot water).
  • Do not remove the needle cover while allowing the medicine to reach room temperature.
  • Check the liquid Check the liquid in the syringe. It should be clear and, colorless, and may contain small white particles. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has large lumps, flakes, or particles in it. Do not shake. Do not use if it is damaged or has been dropped.
  • Pull the needle cap straight off. Do not recap. Gently stretch the skin firmly by moving your thumb and fingers in the opposite directions, creating an area about 2 inches wide. Place the prefilled pen straight on the skin at 90 degrees.
  • Firmly push the pen down into the skin. The device will click when the injection begins. Continue to press and count slowly to 15 to make sure the injection is complete. You may hear or feel a second click that the injection is finished. If you did not hear a click, you may check the viewing window. If it turns yellow, the injection is complete. The needle guard will completely cover the needle. You may see a small gray band.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may also store this medicine at room temperature for up to 14 days. Do not put it back in the refrigerator once it has reached room temperature. Throw away any unused medicine that has been stored at room temperature after 14 days. Do not store the medicine in extreme heat or cold (including keeping it inside your vehicle's glove box or trunk).
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how etanercept-ykro work. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Abatacept, anakinra, cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine
  • Diabetes medicine
  • Steroid medicine (including dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone)
• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, heart failure, liver problems (including hepatitis), multiple sclerosis or any nervous system problem, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, or a history of cancer, seizures, or Guillain-Barré syndrome. Tell your doctor if you have been recently exposed to chickenpox.
• This medicine may cause you to get infections more easily. Tell your doctor if you have any type of infection (including tuberculosis, hepatitis B) before you start treatment. Also tell your doctor if you or a family member has a history of tuberculosis (TB). Take precautions to avoid illness. Wash your hands often.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Nervous system problems
  • Increased risk of cancer, including lymphoma, leukemia, and skin cancer
  • New or worsening heart failure
  • Autoimmune problems, including lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis
• You will need a skin test for TB before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a TB skin test.
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful or difficult urination
• Change in vision, eye pain
• Chest pain, coughing up blood, muscle pain, night sweats, weight loss
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Seizures
• Skin changes or growths, red, scaly patches on the skin
• Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat
• Swollen glands in your neck, armpits, or groin
• Trouble breathing, cold sweat, blue skin, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea
• Pain, redness, swelling, itching, bleeding, or bruising where the shot was given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024