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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 used for certain autoimmune conditions in adults and children. This includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. It works as a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker to reduce inflammation in the body. Enbrel (etanercept) is given as an injection under the skin, typically once a week. It comes as vials and prefilled syringes. There are also Enbrel SureClick autoinjectors, as well as Enbrel Mini prefilled cartridges for AutoTouch autoinjectors. Side effects include infections and injection site reactions.

Indications for Enbrel

Pros and Cons for Enbrel

Pros

  • Available in many options for at-home injections (e.g., prefilled syringes, autoinjectors)
  • Can be used for children age 2 and older with certain kinds of juvenile arthritis
  • Can be used for both adults and children 4 years and up for plaque psoriasis

Cons

  • Must be given as an injection under the skin
  • Must give injection every week
  • Raises the risk of serious infections

Common Side Effects for Enbrel

  • Infection (27%)
  • Injection site reaction (15%)

Warnings for Enbrel

  • Risk of serious infections
  • Risk of cancers
  • Problems with the nervous system
  • Heart failure
  • Low blood cell counts
  • Serious allergic reaction
  • Not recommended for certain people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
  • Not recommended with Kineret (anakinra) or Orencia (abatacept)
  • Caution use in people with moderate or severe liver damage from alcohol use

Prices with our coupons for Orencia vs. Enbrel

Price Card Drug Icon
Orencia1 carton / 4 clickject autoinjectors of 125mg/ml
$5,539.00$7,405.48
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Price Card Drug Icon
Enbrel1 carton / 4 sureclicks of 50mg
$3,353.53$10,463.30
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