Drug Interactions With Etanercept

Etanercept drug interactions with other medications, such as "live" vaccinations, anakinra, and cyclophosphamide, can cause the body to metabolize the medications differently than intended and may lead to problems. Some of these drug interactions can increase your risk of infections or certain tumors. Therefore, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about any drug interactions with etanercept that may apply to you.

 

An Overview of Drug Interactions With Etanercept

Etanercept (Enbrel®) can potentially interact with many drugs. Some of the drugs that may lead to etanercept interactions include:
 
  • "Live" vaccinations, including:
o Chickenpox vaccine (varicella vaccine)
o FluMist (the nasal vaccine for influenza; the injected vaccine is not live)
o MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
o Smallpox vaccine
o BCG vaccine (used in some countries for tuberculosis)

 

Etanercept Interactions Explained

 
Live Vaccines
Live vaccines are immunizations that contain live viruses or bacteria. If you receive a live vaccine while taking etanercept, it is possible that you might become infected with the virus or bacteria from the vaccine. Also, etanercept can make live vaccines less effective. You should not receive live vaccinations while taking etanercept.
 
Anakinra (Kineret)
Taking etanercept with anakinra can increase your risk of getting an infection. In general, these two medications should not be taken together.
(Drug Interactions With Etanercept Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation