Hope someone can help as my Rheumatology helpline and GO surgery are off until Monday. I am due to inject my weekly dose of Enbrel ( Etanercept) tomorrow but have just tested Covid positive. No symptoms so far. Do I inject or not? And continue taking leflunomide? Not sure who else to ask except you knowledgeable lot! I could just delay until Monday if the answer's not clearcut.
Covid and Etanercept: Hope someone can help as my... - NRAS
Covid and Etanercept
Do not inject and stop all Dmards. You may need antivirals but it must be within 5 days of testing positive. Contact 111 they should be able to help.
Thanks, will do that now
Stop them! I was told this when I asked my rheumy ‘in case’. Not on your drugs but I think principles are same….
Thanks, I contacted 111 and so far have waited 6 hours for a duty GP to ring me, the local pharmacist I was told to ring hadn't heard of Etanercept or Leflunomide and suggested I talk to a doctor! Fat chance. I shall have to wait for Rheum advice line to reopen on Monday
Update for those in similar circumstances: On duty GP rang me after nearly 7 hours , went through history, said I needed anti virals, he couldn't prescribe, I had to ring 111. Did so, jumped through usual hoops, spoke to " anti viral doctor" who said I needed them but she could not prescribe them, would refer me to someone who could, waiting for call back " within 24 hours". I can't count the number of times I have been told to " ring back if your symptoms worsen" - then what, wait for a call back within 24 hours?
Hi - I was told by my rheumatologist nurse not to inject - I stayed off my Abatacept for nearly 2.5 weeks I was okay. But do check with your rheumy team there. As said, it was recommended to not inject by my rheumy team. Wishing you a swift recovery .
When I got covid I was told not to take my benepali or methotrexate. I see you have made contact to find out about anti virals 👍
I’m on etanercept, MTX and prednisolone. I was told to stop biologics and MTX if I or anyone in the house tested positive, regardless of symptoms. Hope you get the antivirals
Thanks Maureen, still waiting for a call about antivirals,perhaps they are short staffed at weekends, which is when they are needed most as hospital helplines and GP surgeries are closed.
If you have no symptoms do you need anti virals?
I was diagnosed Covid positive on Wednesday after my catching it from my 9 year old grandson. I called 111 who then got the Covid team to phone me. I am on 20mg methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and folic acid. Because my RA is currently unstable they prescribed me the antivirals Paxlovid. They make your blood pressure low and dizzy but I feel very lucky to have them. You have to report your positive results to the NHS and that triggers the response. Hope this helps
Hi, I was in exactly the same position as you 2 weeks ago. I take Benepali and Methotrexate and was told by both GP and rheumatoid nurse to stay off both of them until I felt better. I called my local NHS inform covid line to report my positive result on the Sunday and someone called me back on the Tuesday and was given the anti viral medication. I have not restarted my injections yet as still have a sore throat and sore ears! Oh the joys! I hope you get sorted and feel better soon.