Enbrel is a subcutaneous injectable prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of various chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PA), ankylosing spondylitis (AP), plaque psoriasis, and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
The active ingredient etanercept has an anti-inflammatory effect and thus relieves the pain and symptoms associated with these diseases.
Like most liquid injectable medicines, including others used to treat the same chronic conditions such as Humira , Actemra, Cimzia , Orencia , Simponi , Taltz , Kevzara or Cosentyx, Enbrel is very temperature sensitive.
Enbrel must be refrigerated when not in use and can be stored at room temperature for a maximum of 30 days.
If you are one of the many patients who have been prescribed Enbrel, you may be wondering how exactly you should store the medication. Here is an FAQ article on storing and refrigerating Enbrel pens and Enbrel syringes at home.
Related article: The drug Enbrel: A complete guide to Etanercept Enbrel injections
What happens if Enbrel gets too warm?
Enbrel is usually given once a week either in the doctor's office or, in most cases, at home. It is available in the form of prefilled syringes, prefilled Sure Click auto-injector pens, Enbrel prefilled pens, prefilled single-dose cartridges, or, in rare cases, as a powder. It is a sensitive biological medicine that can spoil quickly if not stored at the correct temperatures.
temperature sensitivity of Enbrel
Enbrel is very sensitive to temperatures and temperature changes. According to Pfizer, the manufacturer of Enbrel in Germany, it must be stored at refrigerator temperature , that is, at a temperature of 2 °C to 8 °C , which is the standard temperature range of household refrigerators.
When properly stored in the refrigerator, your Enbrel pens, Enbrel syringes or Enbreel cartridges will last until the expiration date printed on the label.
Once you have taken Enbrel out of the refrigerator, you can store it at room temperature between 20°-25°C for up to 30 days . During this time, Enbrel should never be exposed to temperatures above 25°C.
This means that whether you are walking around the block with Enbrel in your bag or traveling through another country, you must always make sure that your Enbrel is protected from the outside heat. If you live or travel in places where the ambient temperature is higher, you will need to use a medical cooler in most cases.
After 30 days have passed since you first took Enbrel out of the refrigerator, it is no longer safe for use and must be thrown away .
What happens to Enbrel without refrigeration?
Enbrel is a biologic drug. Unlike most drugs, which are chemically synthesized, biologic drugs, also called biopharmaceuticals or biologics, come from living sources, microorganisms, plants, or human and animal cells. As such, they are sensitive to heat, can spoil easily, and are susceptible to microbial contamination .
Temperature fluctuations affect the efficacy, bioavailability and immunogenicity of biopharmaceuticals like Enbrel. High temperatures have been shown to denature these drugs and make them lose their effectiveness. In other words, Enbrel pens or syringes that have not been properly refrigerated or stored may be spoiled and no longer safe to use.
The same category of heat-sensitive biologics includes Humira, Insulin , Ozempic , Mounjaro , Saxenda , Wegovy and others.
When your life depends on such temperature-sensitive medications , it brings with it a number of challenges and concerns. Living andtraveling with refrigerated medications requires discipline, good organization and a good portable medication cooler !
Get a travel medication cooler to keep your Enbrel cool in any situation!
What happens if Enbrel freezes?
Like most biologic medicines, Enbrel cannot be frozen . This is clearly stated in the manufacturer's instructions for use. The protein structure of biologic medicines can change during the freezing process. Enbrel that has been frozen is no longer usable , even if it is thawed afterwards.
Situations where your Enbrel can freeze are more common than you think. Here are a few ideas to prevent Enbrel from freezing:
- Never leave Enbrel in your car overnight when temperatures may fall below 0°C.
- Do not store it next to the freezer compartment of your refrigerator
- Keep your Enbrel pens or syringes in an inside pocket if you live or travel in extremely cold places. The warmth from your body should be enough to prevent freezing.
- If you are in doubt whether your Enbrel pen or syringe is frozen, do not use it. Throw it away immediately and get a new one from the refrigerator or pharmacy.
Can Enbrel be put back in the refrigerator?
No. Once Enbrel has been taken out of the refrigerator, you should not put it back in. Enbrel can be stored unrefrigerated (if protected from light and heat) for up to 30 days. However, once it has been taken out of the refrigerator for more than 15 minutes and has reached room temperature, it should not be put back in the refrigerator.
If you have not used your Enbrel pen or syringe within 30 days, throw them away and get new ones from the pharmacy.
What about the expiration date of Enbrel?
When stored continuously in a refrigerator without interruption of the cold chain, Enbrel is stable and safe until the expiration date printed on the label.
Enbrel is a clear and colorless liquid. It's OK if you see small particles in it. However, if you notice that the medicine is cloudy, discolored, or contains large lumps or flakes, it may have gone bad. If in doubt, do not use it and buy a new pen, syringe or cartridge.
We hope this article has given you more clarity and you now feel confident about storing your Enbrel! If not, please share your doubts with us in the comments section. We would be happy to help you.
