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Stelara vs. Enbrel

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

Stelara

(ustekinumab)

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Enbrel

(etanercept)

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Summary for Stelara

Prescription only

Stelara (ustekinumab) is an injectable medication used to treat autoimmune conditions like plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. As an interleukin antagonist, it works by blocking certain proteins that cause inflammation in your body, which helps reduce swelling and ease symptoms. You typically get it as an injection under your skin. Common side effects include common cold symptoms, headache, and feeling tired. This medication also has many biosimilars available.

Indications for Stelara

Pros and Cons for Stelara

Pros

  • After the first few doses, only need a shot every 8 to 12 weeks
  • Available as a prefilled syringe or vial
  • Syringes can be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days
  • Approved for children as young as 6 years old

Cons

  • Can weaken your immune system and raise your risk of infection
  • Potential to cause serious allergic reactions
  • For CD and UC, the first dose must be given as an IV infusion
  • Can't receive live vaccines while taking this medication

Common Side Effects for Stelara

Plaque psoriasis

  • Common cold symptoms (7-8%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (4-5%)
  • Headache (5%)

Psoriatic arthritis

  • Joint pain (3%)
  • Nausea (3%)

Crohn's disease

  • Common cold symptoms (11%)
  • Redness at the injection site (5%)
  • Yeast infection (5%)
  • Bronchitis (5%)

Ulcerative colitis:

  • Common cold symptoms (24%)
  • Headache (10%)
  • Stomach pain (7%)
  • Flu infection (6%)
  • Fever (5%)

Warnings for Stelara

  • Infections
  • Cancers
  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Brain condition
  • Vaccines
  • Lung problems

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 Stelara vs. Enbrel

Price Card Drug Icon
Ustekinumab1 syringe / 1ml of 90mg/ml
$7,002.73-
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Price Card Drug Icon
Enbrel1 carton / 4 sureclicks of 50mg
$3,353.53$10,463.30
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