Key takeaways
Enbrel (etanercept) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib) are both used to treat inflammatory conditions, but they have some key differences. Enbrel is a biologic DMARD that you inject under the skin, while Rinvoq is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that you take as a tablet once a day. Enbrel is available as a brand-name product as well as a lower cost biosimilat. It's used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and childhood arthritis. Rinvoq is only available as brand and is typically reserved for people who haven't had success with other treatments and is used for a wider range of conditions, including eczema, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. Enbrel works by blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to reduce inflammation, whereas Rinvoq blocks the JAK enzyme to calm the immune system. Both medications can raise the risk of serious infections, but Rinvoq also has warnings for blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Enbrel is given weekly, while Rinvoq is taken daily.
