How long does Enbrel stay in your system?

In this article:

• How Enbrel works
• How long does Enbrel stay in your system?
• How Enbrel is processed in the body
• Factors that influence how long medication stays in the body
• How long does it take for Enbrel side effects to go away?
• Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping Enbrel

In this article

• How Enbrel works
• How long does Enbrel stay in your system?
• How Enbrel is processed in the body
• Factors that influence how long medication stays in the body
• How long does it take for Enbrel side effects to go away?
• Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping Enbrel

Knowing how long Enbrel stays in your system can be important if you’re taking this medication or have a loved one who does. For example, you might be working with a healthcare provider to switch to a new medication that can’t be combined with Enbrel. Or maybe you’re experiencing side effects from Enbrel and are wondering how long they’ll last. Some people need to pause Enbrel because of an upcoming surgery to ensure their immune system is in an optimal state to prevent infections. 

Regardless of the reason, Enbrel can stay in your system for an average of three weeks after the last dose. But there are various factors at play, including dosage, genetics, and age, among others. 

How Enbrel works

Enbrel is a biologic drug with the active ingredient etanercept. It works by targeting a protein in the body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is involved in inflammation and the immune system’s response to autoimmune diseases. 

As a TNF blocker, Enbrel reduces inflammation in the body associated with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis. It has also been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children.

Enbrel is a subcutaneous injection that’s injected directly under the skin. Patients might use different devices, including a SureClick autoinjector, single-dose prefilled syringe, or the Enbrel Mini with the AutoTouch reusable autoinjector.

How long does Enbrel stay in your system?

According to clinical studies in people taking a single 25-milligram (mg) Enbrel injection, the drug’s half-life is around 70–132 hours. This means it takes that long for the drug’s amount to reduce by half in the blood. 

Generally, it takes about five or six half-lives for a drug to be eliminated from your system. Therefore, it can take about two to four weeks for Enbrel to completely leave the body.

How Enbrel is processed in the body

Enbrel is believed to be processed in the body through a natural process called proteolytic degradation. This means that once Enbrel is in the body, it is broken down by special enzymes into smaller pieces. These enzymes are part of the body’s system for recycling proteins and are mainly found in the liver and spleen.

Unlike many other prescription drugs, Enbrel does not rely on the liver’s cytochrome P450 enzymes for metabolism. This makes it different from many medications that are processed by these liver enzymes. Instead, Enbrel is broken down directly by the proteolytic enzymes.

After Enbrel is broken down into smaller pieces, the body either reuses them or removes them as waste. The waste products are cleared through the kidneys in urine and through the biliary system in feces.

Factors that influence how long medication stays in the body

How long medication like Enbrel stays in the body varies greatly depending on several factors. These factors may include the following:

Dosage

The dosage of a medication like Enbrel may play a role in determining how long it stays in the system. Higher doses of the drug may result in a longer duration within the body, as more of the substance needs to be processed and cleared. In contrast, lower doses may be processed and cleared more quickly.

Genetics

Genetic variations in enzymes responsible for protein degradation could potentially affect how Enbrel is processed. Some people may naturally process the drug more quickly or slowly than others, simply due to how their bodies work. 

Kidney and liver problems

Kidney and liver problems may affect how Enbrel is processed in the body. Poor kidney and liver function may change how quickly or slowly the drug clears through the body.

Age

Older adults might process Enbrel more slowly due to decreased kidney function and slower protein breakdown. This slower processing can cause the drug to stay in their system longer, leading to an increased risk of side effects. Children may also metabolize Enbrel differently because their bodies process drugs at varying rates, potentially leading to either lower or higher levels of the drug in their system. 

Body weight and composition

If you have a higher body weight or obesity, it can change how your body processes Enbrel. The way the drug spreads and is removed from your body can be different based on your body size and composition.

You may want to be aware of these factors to help manage and predict drug duration with your healthcare provider.

How long does it take for Enbrel side effects to go away?

Common side effects of Enbrel often include mild injection site reactions, such as redness, itching, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. These typically subside within three to five days. If these symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.

Some long-term side effects might not go away on their own. Patients may experience conditions related to their nervous system or immune system reactions that need ongoing treatment. For instance, conditions like lupus-like syndrome or hepatitis B reactivation might need specific treatments. 

In addition to blood disorders, new or worsened heart failure and serious infections may take time to manage and resolve. You may want to watch for alarming signs and symptoms such as:

• Persistent fever and sweats or chills
• Severe fatigue or weakness
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the ankles, feet, or legs
• Sudden weight gain
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Red, warm, or painful areas on your skin

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

The time it takes for side effects to go away can be different for everyone. It depends on how your body reacts to the medication and your overall health. Communicating these side effects with your healthcare provider during regular check-ups can help manage and reduce side effects.

Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping Enbrel

Before stopping Enbrel, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider. You might need to stop Enbrel for various reasons, including the following: 

• Active infection: In cases of a severe infection or sepsis with symptoms such as high fever, rapid breathing, or confusion, stopping Enbrel may be necessary.
• Pancytopenia or aplastic anemia: Symptoms like extreme fatigue, easy bruising, or frequent infections may require you to stop Enbrel.
• Lupus-like syndrome or autoimmune hepatitis: If you experience joint pain, rash, or abnormal liver function tests resembling lupus-like syndrome or autoimmune hepatitis, discontinuing Enbrel is recommended.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Due to potential risks, your healthcare provider may recommend stopping Enbrel during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Always seek medical advice before making changes to your medication regimen. Stopping the medication abruptly may cause new or worsening symptoms of your condition. Your healthcare provider can help you manage any potential issues and guide you on the best course of action.