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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)

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Enbrel

(etanercept)

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Summary for Orencia

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.

Indications for Orencia

Pros and Cons for Orencia

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

Common Side Effects for Orencia

  • 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.

Warnings for Orencia

  • Risk of serious infections
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Vaccines
  • Worsening breathing problems
  • Falsely high blood sugars

Summary for Enbrel

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 for Enbrel

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • Plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
  • Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
  • Childhood arthritis (polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, JIA)

Pros and Cons for Enbrel

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 for Enbrel

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

Warnings for Enbrel

  • Serious infections
  • Cancers
  • Nervous system effects
  • Heart failure
  • Bleeding and infections

Prices with our coupons for Orencia vs. Enbrel

Price Card Drug Icon
Orencia1 carton / 4 clickject autoinjectors of 125mg/ml
$5,792.96$7,445.71
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Price Card Drug Icon
Enbrel1 carton / 4 sureclicks of 50mg
$3,353.53$11,050.23
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