What is the difference between Erelzi and Enbrel?
Erelzi (etanercept-szzs) is a biosimilar for the reference product Enbrel (etanercept).
Erelzi is the first FDA approved biosimilar for etanercept.
A biosimilar is a biological product that is “highly similar” to a U.S.-licensed reference biological (in this case Enbrel). The FDA has determined there are no clinically meaningful differences between the biological product Erelzi and the original reference product Enbrel in terms of safety, purity, and potency. A biosimilar is not considered a “generic” in the same way that a traditional drug is determined to be a generic. Erelzi is not an interchangeable product with Enbrel at the pharmacy. Physicians must write the prescription specifically for Erelzi, as pharmacists cannot automatically substitute Erelzi for Enbrel.
What is etanercept?
Etanercept is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker that was first approved under the brand name Enbrel. TNF is a naturally occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses. Etanercept reduces the effect of TNF and reduces inflammation.
Biosimilars to Enbrel include Erelzi (etanercept-szzs) and Eticovo (etanercept-ykro).
What is Erelzi used for?
Erelzi is used for the same five indications found on Enbrel product labeling:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in patients 2 years of age or older
- psoriatic arthritis
- ankylosing spondylitis
- plaque psoriasis in patients 4 years of age or older.
How are Erelzi and Enbrel administered?
Erelzi and Enbrel are administed via subcutaneous injection.
- Erelzi is available as a single-dose prefilled syringe and a single-dose prefilled Sensoready® Pen.
- Enbrel is available as a single-dose prefilled syringe, a single-dose prefilled SureClick® Autoinjector, a single dose vial, a multiple-dose vial for reconstitution, and Enbrel Mini® single dose prefilled cartridge for use with the AutoTouch® reusable autoinjector.
Related questions
- Does perispinal etanercept work for stroke recovery?
- What are the new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
- What are biosimilar drugs and how do they compare to biologics?
References
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ENBREL® Product Label. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/103795s5574s5577lbl.pdf [Accessed February 16, 2021]
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ERELZITM Product Label. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/761042s012lbl.pdf [Accessed February 16, 2021]
Read next
Which foods should be avoided while taking Enbrel?
There are no known interactions between Enbrel (etanercept) and any food or drinks. Your healthcare provider may suggest you avoid certain raw or uncooked foods that could cause a serious foodborne illness. The manufacturer has not conducted studies to determine if there are specific interactions with Enbrel. Continue reading
How long does it take for Enbrel (etanercept) to work?
Enbrel starts to have some effect within one to two weeks, although it may take 3 to 6 months for the full effects to develop. Continue reading
How long can Enbrel (etanercept) be left unrefrigerated?
Enbrel may be left unrefrigerated for up to 14 days, as long as it is protected from light and not exposed to heat. Once Enbrel has been taken out of the refrigerator for more than 15 minutes, do not put it back in the refrigerator. If Enbrel has not been used within 14 days of being taken out of the refrigerator, discard it. Continue reading
See also:
Aimovig
Learn about Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) a once-monthly, injectable medication that can be ...
Botox
Botox is used cosmetically to reduce facial lines and wrinkles and for medical purposes for ...
Otezla
Otezla (apremilast) is used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers ...
Nurtec ODT
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is used to treat acute migraines and prevent episodic migraines, by ...
Depakote
Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Learn about side effects ...
Topamax
Topamax (topiramate) is used to prevent seizures in adults and children and to prevent migraine ...
Emgality
Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a CGRP antagonist for the preventive treatment of migraine and for ...
Timolol
Timolol is used for angina, heart attack, high blood pressure, migraine, migraine prevention
Valproic acid
Valproic acid is used for bipolar disorder, cluster-tic syndrome, epilepsy, headache ...
Divalproex sodium
Divalproex sodium is used for bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, cyclothymic ...
Related medical questions
- Can Enbrel (etanercept) be taken with antibiotics?
- Can you take Enbrel (etanercept) with a cold?
- Who is the actress in the Enbrel commercial?
- What are the new drugs for plaque psoriasis?
- What are biologic drugs and how do they work?
- What biosimilars have been approved in the United States?
- How and where do you inject Enbrel (etanercept)?
- Do Enbrel (etanercept) injections hurt?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Enbrel (25 questions, 212 members)
- Etanercept (13 questions, 13 members)
- Erelzi (5 questions, 4 members)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (336 questions, 1,332 members)
- Plaque Psoriasis (94 questions, 69 members)
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (59 questions, 212 members)
- Psoriatic Arthritis (91 questions, 282 members)
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (27 questions, 38 members)
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (19 questions, 17 members)