Adalimumab or Etanercept?

[jimmx]

Hi, i'm new to biologics. i'm currently on Leflunamide, but I need biologic as well. I've now got to choose between Adalimumab or Etanercept ..I've been reading the leaflets but it's hard to make a decision - what are your experiences / side effects.? Thanks everyone!

[Hidden]

If you have no strong feelings either way having read up on them, my advice is toss a coin. Honestly. I say that because whichever one you try now will either work or it won’t, and if it doesn’t work then you’ll also get to try the other one in due course. Everybody’s response to all of these meds - both in terms of effectiveness and side effects - seems to be unique, so the only way to know whether or not it’s any good for you is literally to take it. I’m on adalimumab (Imraldi) alongside lef and still rampantly uncontrolled after 6 months. I’m hoping to switch to either etanercept or infliximab soon. Other people here are on adalimumab or one if it’s biosimilars (imraldi/humira etc.) as monotherapy with excellent results and wouldn’t be without it for the world. I have no real side effects having been on it for a while, other people don’t get on with it well at all.

[jimmx in reply to Hidden]

interesting to hear, thank you. 🙂

[Eiram50 in reply to jimmx]

Totally agree with Jimmx. You won’t know until you try.

Over the years I have had three different biologics , always alongside methotrexate and leflunomide and they have all worked, until they no longer did. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced any significant side effects from any of them and I’ve been lucky in so far as I’ve never picked up any infections either.

Good luck with whatever you choose x

[jimmx in reply to Eiram50]

That's great to hear, thank you! x

[Potatos in reply to Hidden]

I would wholeheartedly agree with the above. I'm on adalimumab and it has been wonderful, but it might not be the case for you. I wasnt given a choice as I was put on it in 2006 and in those days the consultant had to plead your case to the hospital trust for you to be offered it.

[jimmx in reply to Potatos]

Thank you No side effects of nausea? I'm worried about that cos I used to be nauseous all week long when i was on Mtx injection!

[Potatos in reply to jimmx]

No side effects at all. It's been transformative for me.

[jimmx in reply to Potatos]

Thats great to hear, thank you !

[Tired-fed-up in reply to jimmx]

Hi jimmx. I couldn’t take Mtx tablets or injections, or Sulfasalazine (too many side effects). I’m now on adalimumab (Amgevita) and *touch wood* haven’t had any side effects and I even think it *might* be starting to work…🤞🤞

[jimmx in reply to Tired-fed-up]

I hope so, good luck with it! X

[Blackberrywine]

I think you will get a mixed reply. I found intanercept useless, but Imraldi loads better. In fact started to feel better after two doses and things are much improved. Everyone reacts differently. Good luck with your choice.

[jimmx in reply to Blackberrywine]

Thank you

[Carolsos]

I am on humeria and it's not working, I have taken my last jab today and in two weeks am starting Benepali and I am hoping it will work as I am in so much pain. I am on lefluomid and hdry. Am on maximum codeine and naproxen and it's not touching the pain. I am going to see the doctor's in a few days. Good luck on whatever one you decide on.

[jimmx in reply to Carolsos]

Sorry to hear that...I hope it works for you x

[medway-lady]

Etanercept worked well for me but might have caused too many UTI's which now I've changed to Abatercept have ceased. I did have some sickness for a few days but it did work well so worth putting up with for a few days. Its such a lottery really and sadly its just toss the coin and give it go but nearly all had some side effects usually temporary and they all take time to work fully.

[jimmx in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you

[Hidden]

I'm on imraldi (adalimumab). Totally agree with what's been said. Good luck. 👍 xx

[jimmx in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Barrister]

Adalimumab worked quickly for me - within the first two weeks. Unfortunately for me, it stopped working after 14 months. Etanercept has been just ok, even with methotrexate I’m still getting lots of flares.

[jimmx in reply to Barrister]

Thank you, hope you find some relief! x

[Jacey15]

I had to choose between adalimumab and enapali and chose adalimumab because the injections were every fortnight instead of every week. Otherwise there wasn't much in it.

[jimmx in reply to Jacey15]

That's my thinking as well! Thank you

[Hidden]

I am on Entanercept and so far have no side effects that I am aware of. I have had some severe ones with others. Entanercept worked for me 8 weeks in to a weekly injection.

[jimmx in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x

[Runrig01]

As others say it’s very much unique how we all respond. I’ve been on eranercept, and was lucky as it helped from the first dose. The main deciding factor is whether you want weekly or fortnightly injections. If you develop an infection or need surgery etanercept leaves the body quicker. Also initially it takes time to get relief for the full period so it may be you have good result for 4 days out of 7, or 8 out of 14. Which would you prefer 3 days of pain till you take your next dose or 6 days every fortnight. I should say it could be more or less days of effectiveness. They both target the same part of the immune system that is the TNF, one of the cytokines in the body. Not sure if that info has made it easier or harder to decide.

[jimmx in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you - it's a lot to think about. It's so useful to hear everyone's experiences X

[HamHammy]

I take etanercept and have been for 10 years. No side effects and it works for me.

[jimmx in reply to HamHammy]

Thank you

[Gigi71]

I have been on Humira, (Adalimumab) 13 years and has been a wonder drug, took a few months to work though, I do feel a little tired on the day after taking, but that’s only once a fortnight. I have more problems on the low dose of Mtx I take. I am going to change my Mtx to injections too, as I’ve been experiencing some breakthrough flaring since have the covid vaccines. X

[jimmx in reply to Gigi71]

Thank you

[PSAWarrior28]

I'm on Adalimumab in the form of hymiroz for scleritis, RA and PSA. Apart from marked tiredness 24 hours later. Like others have said, everyone is unique in how they react to medication. Good luck 👍

[jimmx in reply to PSAWarrior28]

Thank you

[Jackie1947]

I'm on Benipali (Etanercept) . Only other biological experience is Rutuxinab. From my point of view Benipali suits me better. Started to get a positive improvement within 2 weeks. Good luck

[jimmx in reply to Jackie1947]

That's fast result! - Good to hear, thank you

[Maggsie]

Etanercept (enbrel) worked immediately for me, in 24 hours from 1st injection and I had 12 fantastic years until I was persuaded to change to a biosimilar (benepali) which failed miserably and it's taken a long time to get back to anywhere near as well. I'm on mtx and Tocilizumab now.

[jimmx in reply to Maggsie]

Thank you

[pammi2 in reply to Maggsie]

why did they want you to change?

[Maggsie in reply to pammi2]

coscost, the biosimilar was much cheaper than Enbrel. However I've read some good reports ref Benepali if that it what you start on. It seems the change from one to another can be very hit and miss,

[pammi2 in reply to Maggsie]

yes i know my current injection is £250 each, i know the other will be half the price and that is how i feel why the specialist wanted me to change, he also said if the new one dont work there are others we can try!!

other people on here seen to say it was better to switch to adalimumab

[cropredy]

Hi Jimmx,I have been on Etanercept for more than seven years it now appears to have stopped working, my Rheumatologist is changing me over to Adalimumab. Etanercept worked well initially. Apparently this can happen.

[jimmx in reply to cropredy]

Thank you, good luck on the adalimumab

[pammi2 in reply to cropredy]

that is what is happenign to me, they want o change me from 10 years of etnercept to adalimumb, how is it for you since the change