Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is given as a shot under the skin of your thighs, stomach, or upper arms. Etanercept-ykro may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you or your child are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand exactly how to use the medicine.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself or your child a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems. Do not inject into skin areas that are red, hard, bruised, tender, thick, or scaly, in areas with scars or stretch marks, or in areas affected by psoriasis.

This medicine is available in 2 forms. You may use a prefilled syringe or prefilled auto injector pen.

Allow the medicine to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before you use it. Do not warm it in any other way.

To use the prefilled syringe:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Remove the carton with the prefilled syringe from the refrigerator and place it on a flat surface.
  • Allow 30 minutes for the syringe to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm it in any other way (eg, microwave or hot water).
  • Do not remove the needle cover while allowing the medicine to reach room temperature.
  • Check the liquid in the syringe. It should be clear or almost clear, colorless to pale yellow, and may contain small white or almost clear particles. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it that are not small, white or almost clear. Do not shake. Do not use if it is damaged.
  • Pull the needle cover straight off and throw it away. Do not touch the plunger while removing the needle cover. Do not twist or bend the needle cover. Do not recap the needle.
  • Hold the syringe at a 45 degree angle to the skin. With your other hand, gently pinch a fold of the skin. With a quick dart-like motion, insert the needle fully into the skin. Let go of the skin that you are pinching after the needle is completely inserted. Slowly push down the plunger to inject all of the medicine.

To use the prefilled auto injector pen:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Remove the carton with the prefilled pen from the refrigerator and place it on a flat surface. Do not shake.
  • Allow 30 minutes for the syringe to warm up to room temperature. Do not warm it in any other way (eg, microwave or hot water).
  • Do not remove the needle cover while allowing the medicine to reach room temperature.
  • Check the liquid in the syringe. It should be clear and, colorless, and may contain small white particles. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has large lumps, flakes, or particles in it. Do not shake. Do not use if it is damaged or has been dropped.
  • Pull the needle cap straight off. Do not recap. Gently stretch the skin firmly by moving your thumb and fingers in the opposite directions, creating an area about 2 inches wide. Place the prefilled pen straight on the skin at 90 degrees.
  • Firmly push the pen down into the skin. The device will click when the injection begins. Continue to press and count slowly to 15 to make sure the injection is complete. You may hear or feel a second click that the injection is finished. If you did not hear a click, you may check the viewing window. If it turns yellow, the injection is complete. The needle guard will completely cover the needle. You may see a small gray band.

Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

You might not use all of the medicine in each prefilled syringe. Use each prefilled syringe only one time. Do not save an open syringe.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage forms (solution):
    • For juvenile idiopathic arthritis:
      • Children 2 years of age and older weighing 63 kilograms (kg) or more—50 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a week.
      • Children younger than 2 years of age or weighing less than 63 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For plaque psoriasis:
      • Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin 2 times per week, given 3 or 4 days apart, for 3 months. Then, your dose will be reduced to 50 mg once a week.
      • Children 4 years of age and older weighing 63 kilograms (kg) or more—50 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a week.
      • Children younger than 4 years of age or weighing less than 63 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis:
      • Adults—50 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a week with or without methotrexate.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

You may also store the medicine at room temperature for up to 14 days. Do not put it back in the refrigerator once it has reached room temperature. Throw away any unused medicine that has been stored at room temperature after 14 days. Do not store the medicine in extreme heat or cold (including keeping it inside your vehicle's glove box or trunk).

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.