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Compare Enbrel vs. Cosentyx

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Enbrel (etanercept) and Cosentyx (secukinumab) are both injectable medications used to treat autoimmune conditions, but they have some key differences. Enbrel is a biologic DMARD that works by blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to reduce inflammation, while Cosentyx is an interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitor that targets a different protein in the immune system. Enbrel is typically injected weekly, whereas Cosentyx is usually injected monthly after an initial loading period. Cosentyx is only available as a brand-name product, making it potentially more expensive, while Enbrel is also available in a less costly biosimilar form. Enbrel and Cosentyx can both be used in children as young as 2 years old for certain conditions. Both medications can increase the risk of infections, but Cosentyx may also worsen inflammatory bowel disease symptoms. Additionally, Enbrel has been associated with a higher risk of certain cancers and nervous system effects, which are not commonly reported with Cosentyx.

  • Enbrel (etanercept)
    Cosentyx (secukinumab)
  • Enbrel (etanercept)
    Cosentyx (secukinumab)

  • Summary of Enbrel vs. Cosentyx

    Summary for Biologic DMARD
    Prescription only

    Enbrel (etanercept) is a weekly injection used for many autoimmune conditions. Currently, it's only available as a brand-name product and can be expensive.

    Summary for Interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a monoclonal antibody known as an interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitor. It's used to treat several inflammatory conditions, including plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Cosentyx (secukinumab) comes as a pre-filled pen and syringe, and is typically injected under the skin monthly. It can also be given as an infusion through the veins by a healthcare provider for certain conditions, usually in a clinic setting. Side effects aren't common, but can include the common cold and diarrhea.

  • Indications of Enbrel vs. Cosentyx

    Indications for
    •Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
    •Plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
    •Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
    •Childhood arthritis (polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, JIA)
    Indications for
    •Plaque psoriasis (PsO) in people ages 6 years and older
    •Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in people ages 2 years and older who weigh at least 33 lbs
    •Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults
    •Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) in adults
    •Enthesitis-related arthritis in people ages 4 years and older who weigh at least 33 lbs
    •Hidradenitis suppurativa in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Enbrel vs. Cosentyx

    Pros and Const for Biologic DMARD
    Pros
    •Available in a prefilled syringe or autoinjector for easy-at-home injections
    •Can be used in children age 2 and older for certain indications (JIA)
    •Can be kept at room temperature for up to 14 days
    •Manufacturer offers copay card for people with commercial insurance
    •Not many side effects other than infection and redness and irritation at the injection site
    Cons
    •Raises risk of serious infections
    •Can cause the hepatitis B virus to reappear if you have a history of infection
    •Lymphoma and other cancers have been reported in people taking Enbrel (etanercept)
    •Available only as a brand medication so it can be expensive and isn't always covered by insurance
    •Needs to be given every week, unlike Humira (adalimumab), which is given every other week
    Pros and Const for Interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works well to treat several different inflammatory problems
    •Injected monthly (after the loading doses)
    •Available as a prefilled syringe or Sensoready pen for easy at-home injections
    •Can be used in children (for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and enthesitis-related arthritis)
    Cons
    •Only available as injections
    •Raises the risk of infections
    •Can worsen inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (e.g., ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) symptoms
    •Pens and prefilled syringes not appropriate for those with latex allergy

  • Common Side Effects of Enbrel vs. Cosentyx

    Common Side Effects for
    •Infection (including common cold/flu) (50%)
    •Injection site reaction (37%)
    •Diarrhea (8%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Common cold (12%)
    •Diarrhea (4%)
    •Upper respiratory infections (3%)

    Note: Side effects listed were reported by adults who took Cosentyx (secukinumab) for PsO in clinical trials.

  • Warnings of Enbrel vs. Cosentyx

    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious infections
    •Cancers
    •Nervous system effects
    •Heart failure
    •Bleeding and infections
    Common Side Effects for
    •Infections
    •Caution when getting vaccines
    •Allergic and skin reactions
    •Worsening of inflammatory bowel disease

  • Prices with our coupons for Enbrel vs. Cosentyx

    Learn more about Enbrel
    Learn more about Cosentyx

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