Etanercept affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have signs of infection (fever, cough, night sweats, pale skin, bruising or bleeding, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling very tired).
Using etanercept may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, including lymphoma. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use etanercept if you are allergic to it, or if you have a severe infection such as sepsis (infection throughout your body).
Tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection, such as:
fever, chills, sweats, flu-like symptoms, feeling very tired;
cough, shortness of breath, coughing up blood;
diarrhea, weight loss;
skin warmth or redness, open sores; or
increased urination, burning when you urinate.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a weak immune system, HIV, tuberculosis;
hepatitis B;
diabetes;
congestive heart failure;
a nerve disorder such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome;
seizures;
a latex allergy; or
if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines.
Children should be current on all childhood immunizations before starting treatment with etanercept.
Using etanercept may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, including lymphoma. This has occurred mainly in children and teenagers using TNF-blockers. However, anyone with an inflammatory autoimmune disorder may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis. Also tell your doctor if you have recently traveled. Tuberculosis and some fungal infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may have been exposed during travel.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You will need to tell your baby's doctor if you used etanercept during pregnancy, especially before the baby receives any childhood vaccines.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using  etanercept. Ask your doctor about any risk.
