Enbrel help

[bjones1888]

So I’ve spent the last few months waiting to start Enbrel for my RA. Insurance stuff, go figure... are there any pointers about best times of the day to do the injection, day of the week...? I’m guessing since it’s stored in the cold that it would probably be uncomfortable to inject a cold medicine. Can I let it sit out and warm up? I was so relieved to begin the medicine that I didn’t even ask these questions at the last rheumatologist visit.

[Deniseelk]

I’m based in the UK. As you mention insurance I assume you must be from the USA, or elsewhere so I can only talk about my experience. I had a clinical nurse come to my house to teach me how to use the injector pen. I decide to inject at night, taking the pen out a few hours before to take the chill off it. I decide not to use the sterile wipes ( as I hear a lot of users get skin rashes from them) but I shower, let my veins cool down a little and inject 15 minutes after. I assume you have undergone the blood tests to check for any underlying infections already? Embrel will lower your immune system so if you have any infections they may become active, which is a risk. Will you be taking any other medication alongside Embrel? I do not have any side effects from it ( I actually take Benepali). I found very gradual improvement ( mainly noticed by being able to use my hands over the following weeks) week on week. Wishing you well on Embrel.

[bjones1888 in reply to Deniseelk]

Thank you for your response! Very helpful info!

[helixhelix]

I take my Enbrel out of the fridge in the morning and inject in the evening. It stings otherwise! A couple of hours would probably be enough, but if I don’t take it out at breakfast time I forget and cold enbrel is no fun at all. I don’t use the alcohol swabs either. And remember to rotate inject sites.

When I first started using it I used a cool pack to cool down the injection area before and after to minimise risk of getting an injection site reaction. Don’t know if it helped or not, but I didn’t get any reactions.....

Once out of fridge it’s ok to use for 4 weeks, which is handy if you’re going on holiday and don’t want to take huge cool bags to keep it a 8 degrees.

I have zero side effects, so day of week doesn’t matter a bit.

[bjones1888 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for your response! Very helpful info!!

[Gloria814]

A lot of info does come with the insert from the drug company re how to administer and how long to leave it out etc. I also used an ice pack for 15 min at site where I was going to inject since it was advised by MD and made the injecting less painful. Insurance a pain for sure! I always chose to give the medicine at bedtime I wish you well