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Compare Orencia vs. Enbrel

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

Key takeaways

Orencia (abatacept) and Enbrel (etanercept) are used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Orencia can be given as an infusion or an injection, while Enbrel is only available as an injection. Orencia is also used for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to prevent graft-versus-host disease, whereas Enbrel is used for plaque psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis in addition to RA and PsA. Both are only available as a brand-name product, making them potentially more expensive. Both medications can increase your risk of infections, but Enbrel also has warnings about potential cancers and nervous system effects. Both medications require careful handling and storage, with Enbrel being able to stay at room temperature for up to 14 days.

  • Orencia (abatacept)
    Enbrel (etanercept)
  • Orencia (abatacept)
    Enbrel (etanercept)

  • Summary of Orencia vs. Enbrel

    Summary for Biologic DMARD
    Prescription only

    Orencia (abatacept) is an injectable biologic medication used for different types of autoimmune arthritis (joint inflammation), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). It's given as an injection under the skin once a week or as an infusion through the veins (IV) in the clinic once a month. Common side effects include infection, headache, and dizziness.

    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.

  • Indications of Orencia vs. Enbrel

    Indications for
    •Moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
    •Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults
    •Moderate-to-severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children ages 2 years and older
    •Prevention of short-term graft versus host disease (GVHD) in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate in adults and children ages 2 years and older
    Indications for
    •Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
    •Plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
    •Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
    •Childhood arthritis (polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, JIA)

  • Pros and Cons of Orencia vs. Enbrel

    Pros and Const for Biologic DMARD
    Pros
    •Can be used in children age 2 years and older (for certain conditions)
    •Comes as a prefilled syringe or autoinjector for easy at-home injections
    •Clinic infusions are available for people who don't like to give themselves injections and are generally given only once a month
    •SQ injections are given once weekly and IV infusions are given once monthly
    Cons
    •Raises your risk for infections because it weakens your immune system
    •Can't be used with other biologic medications because higher risk of infection
    •Can take 3 to 6 months to notice an improvement in your symptoms (for arthritis)
    •Only treats the symptoms and isn't a cure for inflammatory problems
    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

  • Common Side Effects of Orencia vs. Enbrel

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (18%)
    •Sore throat, runny nose, or other cold-like symptoms (12%)
    •Dizziness (9%)
    •Cough (8%)
    •Back pain (7%)
    •High blood pressure (7%)
    •Upset stomach (6%)
    •Pain while urinating and other symptoms of an urinary tract infection (6%)

    Please note: The side effects above were reported by adults who received Orencia (abatacept) for rheumatoid arthritis. The side effects you experience might be different if you're taking Orencia (abatacept) for a different condition or if you're injecting it under the skin.

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

  • Warnings of Orencia vs. Enbrel

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of serious infections
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Vaccines
    •Worsening breathing problems
    •Falsely high blood sugars
    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious infections
    •Cancers
    •Nervous system effects
    •Heart failure
    •Bleeding and infections

  • Prices with our coupons for Orencia vs. Enbrel

    Learn more about Orencia
    Learn more about Enbrel

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