Erelzi® Injection for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Erelzi® is an etanercept biosimilar used for immune-mediated diseases. It helps reduce inflammation that drives joint and skin symptoms. This page explains how it works, who it may suit, and how you can manage storage and use. US delivery from Canada supports access to Canadian pricing without insurance.

What Erelzi Is and How It Works

Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

This medicine is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. It targets TNF, a key signaling protein that can overactivate the immune system. By binding TNF, the treatment helps calm inflammation in affected joints, spine, and skin. It is a biosimilar to the reference etanercept product, meeting rigorous standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness.

The class is used in adults for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis. It is injected under the skin using a prefilled device. Your clinician will determine if this therapy aligns with your diagnosis and history.

Who It’s For

Erelzi etanercept may be considered for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or chronic plaque psoriasis. People with active serious infections should not start treatment. Your prescriber may screen for tuberculosis and hepatitis B before beginning therapy. Those with a history of demyelinating disorders, moderate to severe heart failure, or certain blood disorders may need a different option.

If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, discuss potential risks and benefits. Live vaccines are not recommended during therapy. See our condition pages for more background on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Plaque Psoriasis.

Dosage and Usage

The typical adult schedule is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, aligned to the condition and label. Follow your prescriber’s instructions and the patient booklet for your device. Do not change your dose or timing unless your clinician tells you to.

Administration basics:

• Choose an injection site: front thigh, abdomen (not within 2 inches of the navel), or outer upper arm if another person gives the injection.
• Rotate sites each time to reduce local irritation.
• Let the device warm to room temperature as directed; do not heat it.
• Check the solution: it should be clear to slightly opalescent without particles.
• Clean the skin with an alcohol swab and let it dry before injecting.
• Do not shake the device. Dispose of used needles in a sharps container.

For additional background on TNF inhibitors in practice, see our guide: Enbrel Injection Guide.

Strengths and Forms

This therapy is supplied as a prefilled syringe and an autoinjector. Commonly published strengths include a 25 mg prefilled syringe and the Erelzi 50 mg prefilled syringe. Availability and device options may vary by dispensing pharmacy.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is close to your next scheduled injection. Then continue with your regular weekly plan. Do not take two doses at the same time. If you are unsure what to do, contact your healthcare professional or check the patient instructions.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store this medicine in the refrigerator in its original carton. Do not freeze. Protect from light and keep out of reach of children and pets. If the carton was left out of the refrigerator or exposed to heat, consult the patient leaflet for acceptable time limits at room temperature, or ask your pharmacist.

Travel tips:

• Pack in an insulated bag with cool packs, avoiding direct contact with ice.
• Carry a copy of your prescription and a travel letter if flying.
• Keep the medicine with you; do not place it in checked baggage.
• Bring a puncture-resistant container for used needles.

Our partners use temperature-controlled handling when required to help protect product integrity during transit.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

Autoinjector basics: wash your hands, inspect the device, remove caps, place on cleaned skin at the recommended angle, and press the button. Hold steady until the indicator shows the injection is complete. For prefilled syringes, gently pinch the skin, insert the needle as instructed, inject slowly, then remove and apply light pressure with gauze.

Place used devices in an FDA-cleared sharps container. If unavailable, use a heavy-duty household container with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid. Follow local guidance for disposal. Do not throw loose needles into household trash or recycling.

Benefits

This therapy can reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in inflammatory arthritis. Many people find a weekly schedule convenient compared with more frequent dosing. A prefilled device supports consistent, at-home administration. As a biosimilar to etanercept, it is reviewed against reference standards for quality and clinical performance.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection-site redness, itching, or pain
• Upper respiratory symptoms such as cough or sore throat
• Headache or dizziness
• Nausea or mild gastrointestinal discomfort
• Rash or mild skin irritation

Serious risks can include severe infections, tuberculosis reactivation, hepatitis B reactivation, blood abnormalities, demyelinating disorders, heart failure worsening, and allergic reactions. Report fever, persistent cough, weight loss, severe weakness, or new neurologic symptoms to your prescriber. A TB test is often performed before starting therapy. Sandoz Erelzi patient materials include full warnings and precautions.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Avoid live vaccines during treatment. Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, including biologic DMARDs and immunosuppressants. Using multiple biologic agents together may raise infection risk. Certain combinations (for example, with anakinra or abatacept) may not be recommended. If you have chronic or recurrent infections, diabetes, or immune system problems, discuss risks and monitoring plans with your healthcare professional.

What to Expect Over Time

Response to therapy varies. Some people notice symptom changes after consistent weekly use, while others may need more time. Your clinician may monitor your progress, review potential adverse effects, and adjust your care plan. Keep a simple symptom diary and track injection dates to support adherence. If you miss doses or have interruptions, speak with your prescriber before restarting.

For education on related conditions, explore Early RA Signs and our broader Immunology category.

Compare With Alternatives

Several approved biologics treat similar conditions. The reference etanercept product remains a standard option, while other TNF inhibitors and interleukin inhibitors may be used based on clinical history and response.

• Reference etanercept: Enbrel Sureclick Auto Injector
• Another TNF inhibitor: Humira Prefilled Syringe

Interleukin inhibitors such as ustekinumab or secukinumab may suit some patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Your prescriber will help compare class effects, administration, and monitoring needs.

Pricing and Access

We highlight Erelzi Canadian pricing to help you understand potential cash-pay options. Transparent listings let you review strengths and devices before you add items to your cart. US shipping from Canada is available with prescription validation. For current offers, see our Promotions page. Checkout is encrypted to protect your information.

Two helpful actions:

• Compare options to explore potential savings versus other therapies.
• Review the product page to see current pricing and refill choices.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary. If the exact device is unavailable, your prescriber may recommend an appropriate alternative in the same class. Biosimilar substitution rules differ by state and product. Pharmacists may need prescriber approval before switching from the reference or between biosimilars. Your care team remains the best source for guidance on substitution and continuity of therapy.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This treatment may suit adults with inflammatory arthritis or plaque psoriasis who have ongoing disease activity. It may not be appropriate for people with active serious infections or certain neurologic or cardiac conditions. Your clinician will review labs, vaccination status, and any prior therapies.

Cost and convenience tips:

• Multi-month refill: ask your prescriber if a longer supply aligns with your plan.
• Refill reminders: set calendar alerts so you do not miss weekly injections.
• Coordinate labs: schedule monitoring near refill dates to reduce extra visits.
• Discuss alternatives: if the device is not a fit, ask about oral options like Apremilast.
• Insurance review: confirm coverage or cash-pay pathways with your care team.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is a TNF inhibitor the right class for my condition and history?
• How will you monitor for infections or other serious risks?
• Which device suits me best, a prefilled syringe or an autoinjector?
• What should I do if I miss a weekly dose?
• Are live vaccines restricted while on this therapy?
• When should I contact you about side effects or lab changes?

Authoritative Sources

Ready to proceed? You can place your order with prompt, express shipping that Ships from Canada to US. This content is for general information and does not replace medical advice from your healthcare professional.