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Compare Enbrel vs. Xeljanz

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

Key takeaways

Enbrel (etanercept) and Xeljanz (tofacitinib) are both used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, but they have some key differences. Enbrel is a biologic DMARD that is injected under the skin, while Xeljanz is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor taken orally. Enbrel is available as brand-name and biosimilar products, whereas Xeljanz is a synthetic medication and also comes in a generic form. Enbrel works by blocking tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to reduce inflammation, while Xeljanz blocks the JAK protein to achieve the same effect. Enbrel is typically administered once a week, whereas Xeljanz is taken once or twice daily, depending on the form. Both medications can increase the risk of serious infections, but Xeljanz also has a higher risk of blood clots and heart problems. Additionally, Enbrel is approved for use in children as young as 2 years old for certain conditions, while Xeljanz is also approved for children but has more specific dosing requirements based on weight.

  • Enbrel (etanercept)
    Xeljanz (tofacitinib)
  • Enbrel (etanercept)
    Xeljanz (tofacitinib)

  • Summary of Enbrel vs. Xeljanz

    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 JAK inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is a JAK inhibitor that treats different types of inflammatory problems (like psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) in adults. It's also used for certain kinds of arthritis in children ages 2 years and older. Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is taken by mouth once or twice per day. It's a good option for people who've tried other medications already, but the medication has side effects like a higher risk of infections, headache, and diarrhea. It also has serious risks, including heart problems and blood clots.

  • Indications of Enbrel vs. Xeljanz

    Indications for
    •Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
    •Plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
    •Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
    •Childhood arthritis (polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, JIA)
    Indications for
    •Moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
    •Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults
    •Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults
    •Moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults
    •Moderate-to-severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children ages 2 years and older - immediate-release tablets and liquid only

  • Pros and Cons of Enbrel vs. Xeljanz

    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 JAK inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works well to treat many types of inflammatory problems
    •Good option for people who haven't responded well to other treatments
    •Available as immediate-release and extended-release tablets
    •Liquid form available if you have trouble swallowing
    Cons
    •Potential to cause many serious side effects (e.g., certain cancers, serious infections, blood clots, stomach problems)
    •Can raise cholesterol levels
    •Not recommended to breastfeed while taking the medication
    •Not completely clear whether it's safe to take during pregnancy

  • Common Side Effects of Enbrel vs. Xeljanz

    Common Side Effects for
    •Infection (including common cold/flu) (50%)
    •Injection site reaction (37%)
    •Diarrhea (8%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Arthritis:

    •Upper respiratory tract infection (4%)
    •Nose and throat infection (3-4%)
    •Diarrhea (3-4%)
    •Headache (3-4%)

    Ulcerative colitis:

    •Nose and throat infection (10-14%)
    •High cholesterol (5-9%)
    •Headache (3-9%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (6-7%)
    •Muscle damage (3-7%)
    •Rash (3-6%)
    •Diarrhea (2-5%)
    •Stomach infection (3-4%)
    •Anemia (2-4%)

    Note: The side effects you have might differ based on your dose and the reason why you're taking Xeljanz (tofacitinib).

  • Warnings of Enbrel vs. Xeljanz

    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious infections
    •Cancers
    •Nervous system effects
    •Heart failure
    •Bleeding and infections
    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious infections
    •Possible higher risk of death for people with rheumatoid arthritis
    •Possible risk of cancer
    •Risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots
    •Stomach problems
    •Allergic reactions
    •Low blood cell counts
    •Liver damage

  • Prices with our coupons for Enbrel vs. Xeljanz

    Learn more about Enbrel
    Learn more about Xeljanz

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