Enbrel and Nausea: What Users Say

• moo...
• April 11, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I just wanted to share this in case there are any apprehensive people worried about having to get an injection. This is only my first week on Enbrel, but I feel like I have had some loosening of my joints and a reduction in pain. What I really wanted to share was that the injection is not nearly as scary as it sounds and does not cause a lot of pain. I was so scared to get a shot because of the comments online but my boyfriend finally injected my thigh with the SureClick auto-injector. It's not that bad! I did it on my upper thigh and I barely felt any pain at all, I really built it up in my head! The side effects (nausea, diarrhea) are worse than the injection but not so severe. If you are new, don't waste your time worrying and good luck!"

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "So I started Enbrel two days ago, and I feel exhausted, nauseous, and have a strange metallic taste in my mouth. Has anyone ever experienced this? I am told I should feel like a new person, but I feel uncomfortable."

• Bos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Diagnosed with RA at 22 years. Started with Plaquenil, then added methotrexate. Took some time to get the dose right due to nausea. That combo helped for 2 years. Then added Enbrel. It helped immediately but still had problems, so added Meloxicam. Prednisone as needed for flare-ups. After serious ulcers, I stopped the Meloxicam and prednisone. Enbrel only worked for 1.5 years. After I'd been on it about a year, it started wearing off. I would inject every week, but the meds would only last about 5 days and then I'd be disabled until it was time to take my next injection. Finally, it stopped working altogether. Just switched to Humira, still taking Plaquenil and methotrexate. Many illnesses due to the compromised immune system and extreme fatigue, but my RA is so severe I am fully disabled without these meds. I hope I can find one that will last longer. With the Enbrel support card, I have not had to pay for this drug. I prefer the syringes to the pens."

• And...
• September 19, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Enbrel for 15 years, and it has been a life changer. I was literally pain-free. Until about a year ago, shortly after the injection, I started feeling nauseous. I thought maybe it was something I ate, but I have since tracked it, and every single time I give myself an injection, I get nauseated, and it lasts for about 36 hours. Has something in the formula of Enbrel changed? I'll take being nauseated any day over the pain."

• Pao...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was diagnosed with PA, and I have no psoriatic symptoms except on the heels of my feet. I suffer from arthritic pain in my right hand (thumb mostly) and both big toes. I was prescribed Enbrel, and after taking the first injection (which caused extreme nausea), I was perplexed that my symptoms worsened. Now, I was experiencing pain in my left hand and other places I hadn’t noticed pain before. I thought maybe I have to have a few doses before I see any relief from symptoms, so I administered a second injection, and although I didn’t experience the nausea of my previous experience, I noticed no relief and a worsening of pain again, continuing to affect areas that were never painful previously. I have decided not to continue treatment."

• ste...
• January 13, 2009

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have taken 3-4 semi-effective anti-inflammatory medications in the past. Some made me nauseous and dizzy, but Enbrel is the first to make me feel 99% normal. My energy level is much higher than it was. I don't walk around like an old man anymore (I'm a 37-year-old female), and I can do yoga, aerobics, etc. The only side effect I have noticed is about 10 lbs weight gain over the past year, but I am going to work on more exercise/less evening snacking and see if that can keep it in check. At least now I have the energy to exercise when I need to. Before, it was too daunting."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2019

For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis "I can honestly say that this medication has improved my life better than anything else. I've been taking it for about 2 years. I take the shot once a week, and even if sometimes it can be a little painful, I can bear that for 10 seconds or less. I can do every sport I like. Also, I am on methotrexate, which is not such a pleasant medicine. At some point, I took 20 mg per week that made me vomit. After that, I've taken 10 mg per week, and it's a little better, but I still get nausea. Enbrel was a game changer for me, but I have to see how methotrexate is really working because I saw such horrible reviews that I got a little scared of what might happen to my body."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 23, 2014

For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis "My daughter started weekly Enbrel injections, in combination with Methotrexate injections, about 6 months after she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She continued them for about 3 years. During that time, she barely had any side effects from the medication: pain and redness at the injection site and occasional nausea after the injections for about 24 hours. It did seem to control her flare-ups for most of the time. After about 2 1/2 years, her arthritis became more aggressive, and the medication was not as effective. Her doctor decided to change her medications. But overall, Enbrel was an effective medication for the first years of her arthritis."